Sarah Nemtanu
Conducting Jury 2025
Biography
Franco-Romanian violinist Sarah Nemtanu graduated from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris in the class of Gérard Poulet. She was awarded First Prize at the Maurice Ravel Academy in Saint-Jean-de-Luz in 1998 and Third Prize at the Stradivarius International Violin Competition in 2001. In 2002, she was appointed concertmaster of the Orchestre National de France, a post she has held for the past 20 years. In 2007, she was named “Young Instrumental Soloist of the Year” at the Victoires de la Musique Classique. She has been Professor at the CNSMD in Paris since 2023.
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.