Congratulations to Julio Garcia Vico from Spain who secured the Donatella Flick Conducting Competition trophy for 2021 last night at LSO St Lukes in London.
The final saw Vico compete with UK conductor Chloe Rooke, and Martijn Dendievel from Belgium for the £15,000 prize plus the role of Assistant Conductor at LSO. The three finalists were whittled down from a shortlist of 20 in rehearsals during the weekend.
Vico was far and away the most captivating of conductors on the podium during the final drawing on a lightness of step, flexible movement in his body and a physical expressivity that created dynamic performances distinct from the other competitors. There was a real sense that Vico was already doing the job before he’d won the contract, so to speak. A real joy to watch.
Each competitor conducted the LSO in a performance of Verdi’s Nabucco overture, plus sections from Johannes Brahms, Variations on a Theme by Haydn in B flat Major, and Dvořák’s Slavonic Dances, Op. 72.
A big pat on the back to LSO Production for the live stream on Medici TV. LSO St Lukes is the perfect venue for this kind of under-the-bonnet classical music content. I really appreciated how the presenters – Martin Handley and violinist Tasmin Little – didn’t compromise on detail or expertise. I felt engaged in what was an absorbing compare-and-contrast viewing experience.
The Donatella Flick Conducting Competition Final is available to watch for free on Medici TV until August 2021.
