About the Competition
About the Competition
The Story
The Competition was established in 2022 by the Association Kult Mind in cooperation with the National Philharmonic of Târgu Mureș and Associazione Artes (Italy) and with the substantial support of the Palace of Culture and the Mureș County Council.
The first two editions were dedicated to the Romanian conductor Erich Bergel, a musician admired by conductors such as Herbert von Karajan, born in Transylvania (Râșnov) in 1930.
The third edition is dedicated to the city of Târgu Mureș, in homage to its Orchestra, the city itself, and the County Council. With this edition, we also inaugurate a new identity and brand for the International Conducting Competition.
The last editions attracted remarkable international interest, welcoming altogether more than 500 competitors from 38 countries across all five continents.
The winner of the last edition, the Italian Davide Trolton, is now a regular guest of major symphonic institutions in Romania, Hungary, Italy and the United Kingdom.
Editions
Upcoming
September 21–25, 2026
Palace of Culture, Târgu Mureș, Romania
The Third Edition of the Târgu Mureș International Conducting Competition marks an important milestone in its development, with the involvement of international symphonic institutions of the highest calibre.
For the first time, the competition opens under the name Târgu Mureș International Conducting Competition, inaugurating a new identity. The edition is dedicated to the city of Târgu Mureș, its Orchestra, and the County Council.
April 2024 — Erich Bergel Conducting Competition
Palace of Culture, Târgu Mureș · 8–12 April 2024
First Prize
Davide Trolton
Italy
Second Prize
Jorge Yagüe
Spain
Third Prize
Xiao Zhuo
China
The second International Târgu Mureș International Conducting Competition was held between 8 and 12 April 2024 in the Great Hall of the Palace of Culture. The jury received 246 conductors’ materials, 42 of whom made it to the finals and arrived in Târgu Mureș.
The international jury consisted of renowned conductors and musicians, and several different prizes were awarded during the competition, including the main prize, the orchestra prize and a scholarship.
September 2022 — Erich Bergel Conducting Competition
Palace of Culture, Târgu Mureș · 2–8 September 2022
First Prize
Tobias Drewelius
Germany
Second Prize
Levente Zsiros
Hungary
Third Prize
Omar El Jamali
Morocco
The 1st International Târgu Mureș Conducting Competition took place from 2 to 8 September 2022 in the halls of the prestigious Palace of Culture. The aim was to create a tradition linked to the county of Târgu Mureș, the city, and the Târgu Mureș State Philharmonic.
The competition attracted extraordinary international interest: 180 applicants from 33 countries, with 71 participating in the final competition.