Elizabeth Askren is one of 12 finalist candidates to compete in the 2010 Gustav Mahler International Conducting Competition, to be held in Bamberg, Germany from February 26th to March 5th 2010. The candidates were chosen from a pool of over 280 applicants from 58 different countries. The jury consists of internationally renowned conductors, composers and managers, including Mrs. Marina Mahler, patron of the competition and granddaughter of Gustav Mahler.
The third edition of the competition will follow the goal of the previous years: to act as a crucible for new artistic growth. The competition holds four rounds where the candidates will present their skills to a renowned, international jury in the Bamberg Concert Hall together with the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra. The first prize includes 20,000 € and the possibility to participate in concerts with internationally renowned orchestras.
The imposed repertoire includes several works by Mahler (Symphony No. 4 and a selection from the songs for voice and orchestra), Haydn (Symphony No. 104 D major Hob. I:104) and Webern (Five Pieces for Orchestra op. 10), as well as two contemporary compositions by Matthias Pintscher (« towards Osiris », 2005) and Jörg Widmann (« Con brio », 2008).
Prizes will be awarded during the final concert on March 5th, 2010 at 7pm. From the semi-finals on (March 3rd) the competition is open to the interested public.