G.P.

There are two international conducting competitions organizing preselections before the actual competition - Pedrotti competition in Italy and Besancon competition in France (more about that later). So two days ago I travelled to Brussels to attend the last Pedrotti preselection. They had held them already in Trento, Montreal, Prague and Tokyo.

In the preselection we were given 15 minutes time to conduct a string sextet from Brussels Chamber Orchestra in two excerpts of music from Brahms G Major Sextet and a commissioned piece from Eddy Serafini. The jurors in Brussels were Maurizio Dini Ciacci, Michael Guttman and Dirk Vermeulen. We had to conduct long sections of music as well as rehearse, but with seven and half minutes of time per piece I felt I really ran out of time before I even noticed! Nevertheless I enjoyed conducting the ensemble because the players were excellent and the atmosphere in the occasion was very friendly and cooperative...

The gothic Town Hall and the surrounding square were beautifully lit

After the preselections maestro Guttman gave me a lift closer to the centre and I had a little walk in the beautiful old town before finding my way to my host for the evening, flute player Aldo Baerten (thanks Aldo!).

Maestros Englebert and Moutsiaras at the main square

Next day I came back to the EU corner of the city to meet my friends who were also attending the competition: Jin, Lehari, Yuri, Cyril and Yiorgo. The world of conducting is so small - you are bound to see some familiar faces in all the competitions you partake!

Listening to the organist trying to shake the foundations of the cathedral. Man, he was playing loud!

In the evening I took a better look at the city centre with Cyril - we saw the obligatory Manneken Pis, listened to some crazy organ music at the cathedral and even attended a rehearsal of Wozzek at the Opera. When I finally sat in Thalys to travel back to Paris I fell asleep almost immediately.

P.S. I wanted to tell about Besancon preselections, that both times I attended them it was a big disappointment. I had to conduct one piano with two players who play some big symphonic piece four hands. There was no podium and not even a proper music stand so the candidates had to work in an awkward position. And the directions were: "Don't conduct an imaginary orchestra, but conduct the pianists". In my opinion that has nothing to do with orchestra conducting, and it shows no respect towards the candidates. Add the fact that there is always a composer in the preselection jury giving his "opinion" on who can conduct and who cannot. That said I must say the Pedrotti preselections were a lot better organized and a lot more pleasant occasion. A plus for them!

UPDATE 8.3.2008 - A couple of days ago I received news that I am invited to the Pedrotti competition next autumn!