Our Orchestras & conductor

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

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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.

Martyn Brabbins, conductor

Martyn Brabbins was recently appointed Chief Conductor of the Malmo Symphony and of the Symphony Orchestra of India, both starting in the 2025/26 season. He was Music Director of the English National Opera 2016-2023.

An inspirational force in British music, Brabbins guests with top international orchestras such as the Royal Concertgebouw, San Francisco Symphony, DSO Berlin and Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony, as well as the Philharmonia, BBC Symphony and most of the other leading UK orchestras. He is a popular figure at the BBC Proms, who in 2019 commissioned 14 living composers to write a birthday tribute to him. Known for his advocacy of British composers, he has conducted hundreds of world premieres across the globe. He has recorded nearly 150 CDs to date, including prize-winning discs of operas by Korngold, Birtwistle and Harvey.

Brabbins has had a busy opera career since his early days at the Kirov and more recently at La Scala, the Bayerische Staatsoper, and regularly in Lyon, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Antwerp.

He was Associate Principal Conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra 1994-2005, Principal Guest Conductor of the Royal Flemish Philharmonic 2009-2015, Chief Conductor of the Nagoya Philharmonic 2012-2016, and Artistic Director of the Cheltenham International Festival of Music 2005-2007. He is Prince Consort Professor of Conducting at the Royal College of Music, Visiting Professor at the Royal Scottish Conservatoire and Artistic Advisor to the Huddersfield Choral Society, and has for many years supported amateur music-making at the highest level in the UK. In 2023 he received the RPS Conductor Award for his "colossal" contribution to British musical life.