Dedicated to the great symphonic repertoire, the second final brings together the three finalists conducting the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande in works by Bartók, Mahler, Prokofiev, Strauss and Stravinsky. The final will be followed by the conducting awards ceremony.

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.

Joint final for the Composition and Orchestral Conducting Competitions: the three finalist conductors will, by drawing lots, conduct one of the three finalist works for symphony orchestra from the Composition Competition, performed by the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande. The final will be followed by the Composition Competition awards ceremony.

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.

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.