Our Orchestras & conductor

Pianists in both the semi-finals and finals will perform complete concertos with a full orchestra, conducted by Rory Macdonald.

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The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s (RPO) mission to enrich lives through orchestral experiences that are uncompromising in their excellence and inclusive in their appeal, places it at the forefront of music-making in the UK and internationally. Typically performing approximately 200 concerts a year and with a worldwide live and online audience of more than 60 million people, the Orchestra is proud to embrace a broad repertoire and reach a diverse audience. Whilst artistic integrity remains paramount, the RPO is unafraid to push boundaries and is equally at home recording video game, film and television soundtracks and working with pop stars, as it is touring the world performing the great symphonic repertoire.

Throughout its history, the RPO has attracted and collaborated with the most inspiring artists and in August 2021, the Orchestra was thrilled to welcome Vasily Petrenko as its new Music Director. A landmark appointment in the RPO’s history, Vasily’s first three seasons with the RPO have been lauded by audiences and critics alike. The RPO’s association with the competition goes back to 2013, when the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra played for the finals of the 9th Competition.

Orchestra members in formal attire on stage with instruments, including violins, interacting and smiling during a performance. A Steinway & Sons piano and floral arrangements are visible in the foreground.

‘Classical music needs brilliant young advocates to communicate its power and worth in the 21st century.’

Simon Over, Principal Conductor, Sinfonia Smith Square

Originally founded as the Southbank Sinfonia in 2002, Sinfonia Smith Square is a beacon for the future of classical music. Every year it welcomes 34 talented musicians to form an orchestra; through world-class collaborations, bold programming, and educational leadership projects, the programme intensifies their professional development and advances their musical careers. With over 650 alumni, its musicians go on to become leaders in the classical music world. Many continue to play a valued role in Sinfonia Smith Square, returning to coach the musicians and perform as paid extras. Sinfonia Smith Square first played for the semi-finals of the competition in 2024.

Orchestra musicians playing woodwind instruments sitting in rehearsal, partially obscured by colorful flowers.

Rory Macdonald, conductor

Born in Stirling, conductor Rory Macdonald is a dynamic presence in both the concert hall and opera house, leading a notably wide repertoire from Dowland to MacMillan.

In the last few seasons he has returned regularly to the Philharmonia Orchestra (including opening their 25/26 season with concerts across Scotland), Royal Philharmonic, BBC Philharmonic, Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Tokyo City Philharmonic, as well as making debuts with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie.

Recent highlights in the opera house include opening the 2025 Glyndebourne Festival to critical acclaim with Il Barbiere di Siviglia, following successful performances of La Bohème there in 2022. He recently returned to Oper Frankfurt (Le Nozze di Figaro, Cosi fan tutte) and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (Ariadne auf Naxos, The Magic Flute), as well as making debuts at the Brisbane Festival (Peter Grimes) and Adelaide Festival.

He has conducted productions for the Royal Opera House (Hänsel und Gretel, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Owen Wingrave, Orphée, Fidelio, Das Rheingold), English National Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Canadian Opera Company, Royal Danish Opera, Opera di Roma, Vienna Konzerthaus, Gothenburg Opera, Bergen National Opera, Teatro São Carlos, Opera Australia and the Wexford Festival amongst others.

His symphonic engagements have included the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra; Orchestre de la Suisse Romande; Bergen, Oslo, Netherlands, Essen, Nagoya and Kanagawa Philharmonic; and the Bournemouth, San Diego and Vancouver Symphony. A strong advocate for contemporary music, he has given regional and world premières of works by Sally Beamish, Sir James MacMillan, Geoffrey Gordon, James Dillon, Elliot Carter and Carl Vine amongst others.

His discography includes Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy with Nicola Benedetti (Decca) and recordings for Hyperion, Chandos and Linn Records. A graduate of Cambridge University, Rory studied conducting with David Zinman and Jorma Panula in Aspen, followed by assisting roles with Iván Fischer, Sir Mark Elder and Sir Antonio Pappano.