Preliminary Round – Kodály Centre, Pécs
Schedule of the Preliminary Round:
1 October 2026 Preliminary Round 1. (stream)
16:05–16:30
Sebastián ALMÁNZAR
Stravinsky: Concerto in E-flat major (“Dumbarton Oaks”) – 1st movement
Dohnányi: Ruralia Hungarica, Op. 32b (selected excerpt)
16:30–16:55
Oren GROSS THALER
Stravinsky: Concerto in E-flat major (“Dumbarton Oaks”) – 1st movement
Kodály: Peacock Variations (selected excerpt)
17:15–17:40
Belián HÁMORI
Stravinsky: Concerto in E-flat major (“Dumbarton Oaks”) – 1st movement
Bartók: Hungarian Peasant Songs, Sz. 100, BB 107 (entire work)
17:40–18:00
Yukuang JIN
Stravinsky: The Soldier’s Tale – 3. Royal March and 7. Ragtime
Dohnányi: Ruralia Hungarica, Op. 32b (selected excerpt)
19:00–19:25
Célia Nashely CANO
Stravinsky: The Soldier’s Tale – 4. The Little Concert and 10. Triumphant March of The Devil
Kodály: Peacock Variations (selected excerpt)
19:25–19:50
Sukjong KIM
Stravinsky: The Soldier’s Tale – 4. The Little Concert and 10. Triumphant March of The Devil
Dohnányi: Ruralia Hungarica, Op. 32b (selected excerpt)
19:50–20:15
Yu-Te WU
Stravinsky: The Soldier’s Tale – 4. The Little Concert and 10. Triumphant March of The Devil
Bartók: Hungarian Peasant Songs, Sz. 100, BB 107 (entire work)
2 October 2026 Preliminary Round 2. (stream)
11:05–11:30
Levente ZSIROS
Stravinsky: The Soldier’s Tale – 4. The Little Concert and 10. Triumphant March of The Devil
Bartók: Hungarian Peasant Songs, Sz. 100, BB 107 – complete work
11:30–11:55
Sungjin KIM
Stravinsky: Concerto in E-flat major (“Dumbarton Oaks”) – 1st movement
Dohnányi: Ruralia Hungarica, Op. 32b – designated excerpt
12:15–12:40
Francesco CAGNASSO
Stravinsky: Concerto in E-flat major (“Dumbarton Oaks”) – 1st movement
Kodály: Peacock Variations – designated excerpt
12:40–13:05
Virgil FOK Chin Wai
Stravinsky: The Soldier’s Tale – 3. Royal March and 7. Ragtime
Dohnányi: Ruralia Hungarica, Op. 32b – designated excerpt
19:00–19:25
Jesús ORTEGA MARTÍNEZ
Stravinsky: The Soldier’s Tale – 4. The Little Concert and 10. Triumphant March of The Devil
Bartók: Hungarian Peasant Songs, Sz. 100, BB 107 – complete work
19:25–19:50
Gabriela OPACKA-BOCCADORO
Stravinsky: The Soldier’s Tale – 4. The Little Concert and 10. Triumphant March of The Devil
Bartók: Hungarian Peasant Songs, Sz. 100, BB 107 – complete work
19:50–20:15
Drummado WIJNHAMER
Stravinsky: The Soldier’s Tale – 3. Royal March and 7. Ragtime
Dohnányi: Ruralia Hungarica, Op. 32b – designated excerpt
3 October 2026 Preliminary Round 3. (stream)
11:05–11:30
Yuji MARUOKA
Stravinsky: The Soldier’s Tale – 3. Royal March and 7. Ragtime
Kodály: Peacock Variations – designated excerpt
11:30–11:55
Trevor WILSON
Stravinsky: The Soldier’s Tale – 3. Royal March and 7. Ragtime
Bartók: Hungarian Peasant Songs, Sz. 100, BB 107 – complete work
12:15–12:40
Nitai RACH
Stravinsky: The Soldier’s Tale – 3. Royal March and 7. Ragtime
Bartók: Hungarian Peasant Songs, Sz. 100, BB 107 – complete work
12:40–13:05
Yael AVIVI
Stravinsky: The Soldier’s Tale – 4. The Little Concert and 10. Triumphant March of The Devil
Kodály: Peacock Variations – designated excerpt
19:00–19:25
Apor SZÜTS
Stravinsky: The Soldier’s Tale – 4. The Little Concert and 10. Triumphant March of The Devil
Dohnányi: Ruralia Hungarica, Op. 32b – designated excerpt
19:25–19:50
Viktor ZÁRAY
Stravinsky: Concerto in E-flat major (“Dumbarton Oaks”) – 1st movement
Dohnányi: Ruralia Hungarica, Op. 32b – designated excerpt
19:50–20:15
Fernando GAGGINI
Stravinsky: Concerto in E-flat major (“Dumbarton Oaks”) – 1st movement
Kodály: Peacock Variations – designated excerpt
4 October 2026 Announcement of the Results (stream)
The contestants advancing to the semi-finals are: Francesco Cagnasso, Virgil Fok Chin Wai, Fernando Gaggini, Yukuang Jin, Sungjin Kim, Yuji Maruoka, Nitai Rach, Apor Szüts, Drummado Wijnhamer, Yu-Te Wu.
The preliminary round will take place in Pécs, in the Kodály Center Concert Hall, with the participation of the Pannon Philharmonic, from 1 to 4 October 2026. The competitors must conduct two pieces, excerpts from works by Igor Stravinsky, Ernő Dohnányi, Zoltán Kodály, and Béla Bartók. Which piece each conductor will lead is determined at random before the performance.
The results of the preliminary round will be announced on 4 October, revealing which ten competitors will advance to the semi-finals. The announcement will be followed by a draw of lots to determine which piece each contestant will conduct the Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra at the Liszt Academy in the semi-finals on 5 and 6 October.
Admission to the preliminary round concerts are free of charge, but advance registration is required. Once online registration has closed, tickets can be requested at the Kodály Centre box office until the start of the concert.
