Martin Campbell-White
Conducting Jury 2025
Biography
Martin Campbell-White is widely regarded as one of the most experienced and admired artists managers of our generation. Having begun his career at Ibbs & Tillett, he moved to Harold Holt in 1972 and later negotiated the merger of that company with Lies Askonas, to form Askonas Holt. He has overseen the careers of major artists such as Sir Simon Rattle, Robert Tear, Daniel Harding and Bernard Haitink, as well as taking a leading role in arranging major international tours. He continues to work at Askonas Holt, advising and consulting staff and artists, and acts as consultant for the Opera Comique in Paris.
August 2025
Events
FINAL ROUND PART 1 - ORCHESTRE DE LA SUISSE ROMANDE
- Participants: 3 finalists
- Format: non-public rehearsals and concert
Repertoire
- B. Bartók : Suite du mandarin merveilleux (20')
- C. Debussy: Ibéria (20')
- G. Mahler: Totenfeier (25')
- S. Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet (free choice excerpts, max. 25')
- R. Strauss: Don Juan (20')
- I. Stravinsky: The Firebird, Suite 1919 (20')
With the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande.
Each candidate must choose and prepare two works from the list. At the beginning of the Semi-Final Round, a draw will determine which of the two chosen works is to be conducted if selected for the Final Round. The finalists will conduct two rehearsal sessions (to be confirmed), a dress rehearsal and the Final Round concert, to be held at Geneva's Victoria Hall on 13 November.
Rehearsals and dress rehearsal are closed to the public.
FINAL ROUND 1 - ORCHESTRE DE LA SUISSE ROMANDE
Dates: 10-11 November 2026
Participants: 3 finalists
Format: non-public rehearsals and concert
Repertoire: 3 finalist works from the Composition Competition
This round is both the Final Round of the Composition Competition and the first Final of the Conducting Competition. The subject of the 2026 Composition Competition is a work for symphonic orchestra; the conducting finalists must prepare the three composition finalists' works, which will be announced in the spring of 2026.
At the beginning of the finals, a draw will determine which of the three works each finalist will conduct.
The finalists will conduct two rehearsal sessions (to be confirmed), a dress rehearsal and the Final Round concert, to be held at Geneva's Victoria Hall on 11 November.
Rehearsals and dress rehearsal are closed to the public.
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)
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.
- 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.