Prizewinners Announced at the BMI International Conducting Competition

Chih Yuan Michael Chang of Taiwan received First Prize of €3,000 and a range of performance opportunities

The 5th edition of the Bucharest Music Institute (BMI) Conducting Masterclass & Competition has recently come to a close. 70 candidates were initially selected for the first round, and 5 proceeded to the final, in which they conducted Beethoven's Third Symphony.

First Prize went to Chih Yuan Michael Chang of Taiwan, who receives a cash prize of €3,000, as well as performances with the Arad, Oradea & Satu Mare State Philharmonies.

In second place was Minchao Cai of China, who receives €2,000 and concerts with the Ploiesti & Bacau State Philharmonies. In third was Nitai Rach of Israel, who will appear with the Targu Mures State Philharmonic and takes a prize of €1,000.

The three prizewinners all performed with the Bucharest Symphony Orchestra in the Awards Gala Concert, with Rach conducting two Beethoven overtures ("Coriolan" and "Egmont"), Cai conducting Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor" with soloist Giorgi Gigashvili, and Chang conducting Beethoven's Third Symphony.

The jury was comprised of John Axelrod (President), Junichi Hirokami, Daniel Jinga, Laurențiu Muntean, Mihai Badiu, Carmen Rus, Vlad Mateescu, Emőke Kovács, György Levente, and Cătălin Oprițoiu.

"We are thrilled to announce the resounding success of the 5th edition of the BMI International Conducting Masterclass & Competition held in Bucharest!" wrote BMI. "The competition, in particular, witnessed a heightened level of enthusiasm, with an astounding number of aspiring conductors vying for the prestigious prizes."

"The jury faced the delightful challenge of evaluating the outstanding performances, and we extend our heartfelt appreciation to Maestro John Axelrod for his invaluable contributions as the President of Jury and professor and for each jury member for the unbiased and careful decision that were made."