Novara, Italy – The “Guido Cantelli” International Conducting Award, a symbol of distinguished achievement in the realm of classical music conducting, crowned Min Gyu Song from South Korea as this year’s illustrious winner on October 6. This notable event, held by the Fondazione Teatro Carlo Coccia of Novara in partnership with several prestigious organizations, showcases rising talents in orchestral direction.
The competition cooperatively organized by the Fondazione Teatro Carlo Coccia, the City of Novara, the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano, and the Università del Piemonte Orientale, is supported significantly by the Italian Ministry of Culture (MIC) and enjoys the patronage of the Piedmont Region and the Novara Provincial Tourism Board, alongside additional backing from the Fondazione Banca Popolare di Novara.
Song’s achievements were highlighted not only by clinching the first place with a prize of €12,000 but also by securing the Management Agencies Jury Award and the Orchestra Award, the latter being presented by Luca Santaniello, the concertmaster of the Orchestra Sinfonia di Milano. These accolades were awarded based on his outstanding performance throughout the competition, endorsed by prominent representatives from Askonas Holt and IMG Artists, two leading talent agencies.
The awards also recognized other talented conductors, with Giovanni Conti taking the second place prize of €8,000, and Aram Khacheh securing both the third prize of €5,000 and the Critics’ Jury Prize of €2,000. Khacheh was particularly noted for his precise technical control and his capability to finely tune the orchestral performance to achieve both nuanced phrases and bold musical statements.
The judging panel was chaired by experienced conductor Günter Neuhold and featured a diverse assembly of international experts from the classical music industry, including prominent figures affiliated with major musical institutions like the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, the Accademia di Santa Cecilia, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association.
Corinne Baroni, the Director of the Prize and head of the Teatro Coccia, expressed enthusiasm about the growing prestige and competitive level of the Cantelli Award. She noted that since its revival three years ago, the award has continually aimed to spotlight the talents of new international conductors and to elevate Novara’s global cultural profile in honor of the legacy of Guido Cantelli.
Min Gyu Song now joins the ranks of past laureates such as Riccardo Muti and Donato Renzetti, illustrious conductors who have previously been recognized by this prestigious award, further proving the competition’s role in launching successful careers in music conducting. The “Guido Cantelli” International Conducting Award serves not just as a competition but as a vital platform for promising conductors to gain international recognition and embark on significant global careers in music.