Exceptional Interest in the Solti International Conducting Competition
30 March 2026
Aspiring conductors were invited to submit their applications by 20 March for the competition. Nearly 400 applications from 61 countries were received by the deadline.
The Solti International Conducting Competition offers conductors aged between 18 and 35 and from all over the world the opportunity to show their skills. By the closing date of 20 March, 387 applications from 61 countries across five continents had been received for the three-round competition, which was announced last October and will take place between 1 and 10 October 2026. The highest numbers of entries came from China, Italy, South Korea, France, the United States and Germany. During the pre-selection process, which runs until 14 June 2026, the preliminary jury will select 24 competitors from the submitted video recordings to advance to the live rounds.
On 9 October at Müpa Budapest, the four finalists will see how they measure up before an international jury chaired by Pinchas Steinberg. After the final, in which the competitors will conduct the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra, the audience will also vote for its favourite. The results will be announced and the prizes awarded at the gala concert on 10 October, also in the Béla Bartók National Concert Hall.
The competition will potentially kick-start the international careers of its competitors as members of the jury and artistic committee, along with conductors, leaders of various institutions and orchestras, festival directors and managers, are all invited to the final and may offer further performance opportunities and engagements to selected conductors.
Find out more about the Solti International Conducting Competition!
