On July 10, the top three conductors of the Tokyo International Conducting Competition (TICC) 2024 performed with the NHK Symphony Orchestra in the Prize Winners Debut Concert held at the Suntory Hall in Tokyo. Some 1,800 people attended the concert, including ambassadors to and representatives of diplomatic missions in Japan from 25 nations. TIIC is held under the auspices of the Min-On Concert Association with the cooperation and support of various organizations, individuals and sponsors.
First to take the stage was Ayano Yoshizaki, the third-place winner from Japan who also earned the special Hideo Saito Award, performing Igor Stravinsky’s “The Firebird Suite (1919 version).”
She was followed by winner of second place and the Audience Award, Riley Court-Wood from the UK, who conducted George Gershwin’s “An American in Paris.”
Capping the event was Kornilios Michaildis, who won first place in the contest as well as as the Orchestra Award. The Greek conductor performed “Symphony No.1 in C Minor Op. 68” by Johannes Brahms. All three performances mesmerized the audience.
Prior to the concert, Tadaaki Otaka, chair of the TICC Panel of Judges, addressed the audience, recalling his experience competing in the first-ever TICC as a university student, and how the contest has successfully evolved over the years since then.
The next Tokyo International Conducting Contest is slated to be held in 2027. For further information, please follow the link: https://www.conductingtokyo.org/
