The Japanese conductor Satoshi Yoneda has won the grand prix with €12,000
The Besancon International Competition for Young Conductors recently concluded its 59th edition with its finalists conducting the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie.
Satoshi Yoneda, who graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts in 2020, is now the 11th Japanese conductor in 75 years to win the competition’s grand prix of €12,000.
The 29-year-old will receive three months of professional career mentoring, engagements with partner orchestras, and a French LIP watch.
Yoneda performed in the finals alongside the 26-year-old American conductor Kyrian Friedenberg and the 21-year-old Chinese conductor Tianyi Xie, who was the youngest candidate.
The special mention prize of €3,000 went to Xie for his “incredible talent and tremendous potential.” Xie was also awarded the Audience’s Favorite and the Orchestra’s Favorite prizes.
The top three finalists were selected from 20 candidates out of 271 entries.
“I’m very happy,” Yoneda said. “I want to express my gratitude because many people have supported me. I want to be a conductor who plays music with wonderful orchestras around the world.”
Previous Japanese grand prix winners of the Besancon Competition have included Seiji Ozawa, Yutaka Sado, and Kazuki Yamada. The next Young Conductors Competition will take place in September 2027.