By Winnie Jørgensen, member of the Friends Association
The recently concluded Malko competition was my 4th from first to last. As usual, I chose to sit in orchestra B, so I could see and follow the young conductors from the front. I experienced the final concert and the prize-giving ceremony from the ground floor. Here are some of my memories from this year's Malko.
Ryan Bancroft, who won both the first prize and the audience prize (donated by the Friends), distinguished himself by being the only one who has conducted with his hands without using a baton. Being a Malko audience also means that we talk together about what we see and experience. I was very distracted by the fluttering hands, reminiscent of birds in the air, while others just found it amazing and thought it made the music even better.
My favourite was Alessandro Bonato, only 23 years old, who got the 3 prize - should have been the 2 prize, proud if I had to decide! He is a completely different type of conductor. He showed this especially in the second round, where he conducted Mahler's Symphony No.1. absolutely fantastic with speed over the field and an absolutely terrific playing symphony orchestra that left him completely out of breath, while the audience spontaneously erupted in applause, which made Rie Koch remind us that it's a competition and the time for applause goes from the time available to the conductor, but spontaneous outbursts are probably hard to avoid completely - we live with what we hear and see!
In the 3rd round, Dvorak's Cello Conserto was conducted with Andreas Brantelid as soloist. The 6 semi-finalists all had to play the same piece. We got 6 different bids, and it was amazing how Andreas Brantelid managed to reset between each conductor.
I would like to end by thanking the symphony orchestra for their great efforts and super lovely music.
I can understand why Fabio Luisi is proud of his orchestra - There are a lot of us who are.
By Birgitte Levin Hansen, member of Venneforeningen
Thank you for the joy I felt when it was announced at the final concert that the Friends had donated the Audience Award and the Children's Jury Prize. We were with some school classes during the week. We also felt very close to the competing young conductors. For four fantastic days of about six hours each, we were able to experience musical skill at the very highest level from both the young conductors, but probably especially from a fantastic symphony orchestra that so skilfully managed to make each conductor's wishes audible - thank you, thank you dear symphony orchestra! And thank you to Rie Koch, who managed to control everything in a lovely, warm and easy-going way. It gave peace of mind that it all worked.
Finally, I would like to say that I was very happy when my favourite, Anna Rakitina, came 2nd. But it was well deserved and right that Ryan Bancroft came first. Alessandro Bonato was not as good this evening as the other days when he was absolutely fantastic. But he's very young and will go far.
Finally, I would like to mention that I was very touched when Fabio Luisi thanked the DR orchestra by saying ”Thank you (pause) MY orchestra”, what a conductor! And a big thank you from me.
