Mats Thiersch
Semi-finalist of the Conducting Competition 2025-2026
Biography
Mats Thiersch is a German conductor. He studied composition with Miroslav Srnka in Cologne and conducting with Alain Altinoglu at the Conservatoire de Paris. He has participated in masterclasses with Daniele Gatti, Mikko Franck, and Jaap van Zweden, and served as assistant conductor with the Orchestre National in Cannes and Île-de-France. He is a scholar of Forum Dirigieren of the German Music Council and took part in the Gstaad Conducting Academy in 2024.
COMPETITION PROGRAMME
First Round - Haute École de Musique de Genève Orchestra
- L.v. Beethoven: Symphony No. 2
- F. Schubert: Symphony No. 5
Second Round - Orchestre de Chambre de Genève
- I. Stravinsky: Danses concertantes
- P.I. Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings
- R. Wagner: Siegfried Idyll
Semi-Final 1 - Orchestre de Chambre de Genève
- G. Bizet: Symphony in C
- L. Farrenc: Symphony No. 3
- F. Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 3 « Scottish »
Semi-Final 2 - Ensemble Contrechamps
- Ligeti: Kammerkonzert
- R. Saunders: Scar
Semi-Final 3 - Orchestre de la Suisse Romande
- C. Debussy: La Mer
- R. Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 (1st movement)
- R. Schumann: Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129 (1st movement)
Final Round 1 - Orchestre de la Suisse Romande
- 3 finalist works from the Composition Competition
Final Round 2 - Orchestre de la Suisse Romande
- G. Mahler: Totenfeier
- R. Strauss: Don Juan
Events
The six semi-finalists will hold a 45-minute public rehearsal with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande to work on excerpts from Debussy’s La Mer, as well as the first movement of Schumann’s Piano Concerto or Cello Concerto, selected by lot at the start of the round.
Soloists: Kevin Chen (1st Prize, Piano 2022), Michiaki Ueno (1st Prize, Cello 2021).
SEMI-FINAL 3 - WITH THE ORCHESTRE DE LA SUISSE ROMANDE (40%)
- Date: 9 November 2026
- Participants: 6 semi-finalists
- Format: 45-minute open rehearsal per candidate
Repertoire
- C. Debussy: La Mer
- R. Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 (1st movement)
- R. Schumann: Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129 (1st movement)
Candidates must prepare all three works. At the beginning of the Semi-Final Round, each candidate will draw a set of excerpts comprising a movement from Debussy's La Mer and the 1st movement from one of Schumann's concertos. Each candidate will have 45 minutes to work on these excerpts with the orchestra.
Soloists: Concours de Genève prizewinners (TBA)
The six semi-finalists will have 45 minutes of public rehearsal with the Ensemble Contrechamps to work on excerpts from Ligeti’s Kammerkonzert, as well as a contemporary work chosen in advance: U. Chin Gougalon or R. Saunders Scar.
SEMI-FINAL 2 - WITH THE ENSEMBLE CONTRECHAMPS (30%)
- Date: 8 November 2026
- Participants: 6 semi-finalists
- Format: 45-minute open rehearsal per candidate
Repertoire
- Compulsory work: Ligeti: Kammerkonzert (1970)
- One of the following contemporary works at choice: U. Chin: Gougalon (2008) or R. Saunders: Scar (2018-2019)
Each candidate must prepare the compulsory work by Ligeti, as well as one of two works at choice (Gougalon or Scar). During the rehearsal, they will work on excerpts from both works with the ensemble.
The six semi-finalists will join the Geneva Chamber Orchestra for a 45-minute public rehearsal. The candidates will conduct excerpts from symphonies by Bizet, Farrenc and Mendelssohn, selected at random at the start of the round.
SEMI-FINAL 1 - WITH THE ORCHESTRE DE CHAMBRE DE GENÈVE (30%)
- Dates: 7 November 2026
- Participants: 6 semi-finalists
- Format: 45-minute open rehearsal per candidate
Repertoire
- G. Bizet: Symphony in C
- L. Farrenc: Symphony No. 3
- F. Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 3 « Scottish »
Candidates must prepare all three symphonies in their entirety. At the beginning of the Semi-Final Round, each candidate will draw a set of excerpts to be conducted.