Final – Müpa Budapest
The final will be held in the Béla Bartók National Concert Hall at Müpa Budapest on 9 October 2026, where the competitors will conduct the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra. The four competitors who reach the final must each conduct two works, with the assignments determined once again at random. The repertoire for this round includes works by Verdi, Mussorgsky, Dukas and Johann Strauss, as well as pieces by four Hungarian composers: Liszt, Dohnányi, Kodály, and Bartók.
The four finalists will see how they measure up before an international jury chaired by Pinchas Steinberg.
19:05–19:35
Francesco CAGNASSO
J. Strauss: Die Fledermaus – overture / Liszt: Les Préludes, S. 97
19:35–20:05
Yu-Te WU
Verdi: La forza del destino – overture / Bartók: Dance Suite, Sz. 77, BB 86
20:30–21:00
Fernando GAGGINI
Mussorgsky: Night on Bald Mountain / Dohnányi: Symphonic Minutes, Op. 36
21:00–21:30
Drummado WIJNHAMER
Dukas: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice – symphonic scherzo / Kodály: Dances of Galánta
Gala Concert and Announcement of the Winner – Müpa Budapest
The exceptionally intense ten days of the Conducting Competition will conclude with a gala concert on 10 October led by the conductors who made it to the final round, where, in addition to the announcement of the results, the finalists will each delight the audience with a work they have already conducted in the final. Then the audience will finally find out who, according to the decision of the international professional jury led by Pinchas Steinberg, has been declared the most outstanding conductor in this competition named after one of the greatest maestros of the 20th century.
During the evening, in addition to the overall winner, we will also learn who won the audience prize and the special awards granted by various professional organisations.
19:10
Francesco CAGNASSO
Liszt: Les Préludes, S. 97
19:30
Yu-Te WU
Bartók: Dance Suite, Sz. 77, BB 86
19:50
Fernando GAGGINI
Dohnányi: Symphonic Minutes, Op. 36
20:10
Drummado WIJNHAMER
Kodály: Dances of Galánta
