The Assistant Conductor program led by the Artistic Director and Chef Conductor of NOSPR, Alexander Liebreich, provides a unique opportunity for promising young international conductors to develop their craft and enrich their musical experience through personal mentorship and participation in the NOSPR’s orchestral, education and community programs.
NOSPR
The NOSPR is a leading Polish orchestra and an ambassador of Polish culture on the international artistic scene. The Orchestra has collaborated with some of the greatest composers of the second half of the 20th century (such as Witold Lutosławski, Henryk Mikołaj Górecki, and Krzysztof Penderecki), frequently giving world premiere performances of their works. Many renowned conductors have performed with the NOSPR, including Leonard Bernstein, Kirill Kondrashin, Sir Neville Marriner, and Antoni Wit, amongst many others. Apart from making archival recordings for the Polish Radio, the Orchestra has recorded more than 200 CD albums for many major international record companies (including Decca, EMI, Philips, Chandos, and Naxos). The NOSPR has also been honoured with numerous awards for its phonographic achievements, including Diapason d’Or and Grand Prix du Disque de la Nouvelle Académie du Disque, the Cannes Classical Award and the Midem Classical Award.
In the upcoming 2014/2015 season, the NOSPR will be celebrating the opening of its new concert hall. The architectural design of the venue was entrusted to Konior Studio from Katowice, while the acoustics have been under the supervision of Nagata Acoustics – a world leader in this field. Krystian Zimmerman, Gauthier Capucon, and Isabelle Faust will appear as soloists (amongst many others), and the Orchestra will perform under the batons of Yan Pascal Tortelier, Stanisłąw Skrowaczewski, Krzysztof Penderecki, and Jerzy Semkow, featuring such masterpieces as Mahler’s Symphony no. 8 and Schönberg’s Gurre-Lieder.
Assistant Conductor
The purpose of these auditions is to select the best candidate for cooperation with Music Director Alexander Liebreich for the duration of the artistic season 2014/2015 (with a possible extension for the following season, decided in March 2015). The assistant conductor will be offered the ability to work with and conduct the orchestra in at least three concerts. Furthermore, the assistant conductor will be participating in all the artistic projects undertaken by the orchestra (including concerts, recordings and community programs). It is therefore required that the assistant conductor be available and fully involved in the institution’s activities (i.e. participating in rehearsals, concerts, recording sessions, conducting sectionals and tutti rehearsals, as well as working with the choir and soloists) and ready to take sudden substitutions. This commitment will be made on the basis of an employment agreement. The assistant conductor will receive a monthly fee enough to cover life expenses plus three extra paid concerts.
Audition schedule:
- The auditions are scheduled in Katowice, Poland from the 24th to the 26th of August.
- The auditions will comprise three stages. The first stage will involve the accompaniment of two pianos, while stages II and III will involve the orchestra.
- A maximum of 12 candidates will be selected for the auditions and shortlisted on the basis of their CVs and covering letters.
Obligatory pieces:
A
W. A. Mozart – Symphony in E flat major No. 39 KV 543, mov. I
L. van Beethoven – Symphony No. 2, mov. I
L. van Beethoven – Symphony No. 7, mov. I
B
J. Brahms – Symphony No. 1, mov. IV
F. Mendelssohn – ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ Overture
H. Berlioz – Fantastic Symphony, mov. I
C
I. Stravinsky – Danse Infernale from ‘The Firebird’
B. Bartok – Concerto for Orchestra, mov. V
W. Lutosławski – Concerto for Orchestra, mov. II
Stage I – 24.08
The candidates will present their conductorship skills accompanied by two pianos. The first piece to be conducted will be chosen by the candidate from the group A or B, while the remaining two will be selected by the commission from among all the three groups (A, B, C). Duration: 20-25 minutes. Between 6 and 8 candidates will be chosen to advance to Stage II.
Stage II – 25.08
Each candidate will need to exhibit their conductorship skills, as well as the ability to rehearse with the orchestra. The pieces will be chosen by the commission. Duration: about 30 minutes. No more than 3 candidates will qualify for Stage III.
Stage III – 26.08
Each candidate will be given about 45 minutes to prepare and conduct two pieces selected by the commission after Stage II. The commission will announce the winner upon the completion of Stage III.
- Curriculum vitae and covering letter in Polish, German or English must be sent to m.czech.asystent@nospr.org.pl or via post to : NOSPR pl. Sejmu Śląskiego 2, 40-032 Katowice, Poland. Audio and video materials may be sent at the applicants’ discretion.
- The submission deadline is 20.07.2014.
- Selected applicants will be informed via email regarding whether they are invited to participate by the end of July.
- Please note that NOSPR will not cover any travel or accommodation expenses for Stage I. Participants who qualify for the second stage may have their accommodation expenses covered, with NOSPR reserving the right to select the hotel.
- For more information regarding the audition and the position in question, please call +48 518 174 884.
The organizer reserves the right to change the auditions schedule.
http://nospr.org.pl