Israeli and Iranian in Paris baton showdown
OrchestrasThe questionable La Maestra competition, seeking women conductors of the future, has published its longlist of 14 for next March. One Russian and one Ukrainian have been admitted.
The only two names we recognise are Israeli’s Bar Avni and Yalda Zamani from Iran.
Full list:
Bar Avni (34) – Israel
Hebe De Champeaux (42) – Netherlands
Olha Dondyk (19) – Ukraine
Yoona Jeong (31) – South Korea
Zofia Kiniorska (26) – Poland
Sophie Sze-Ki Mok (34) – Hong Kong
Katharina Morin (29) – Germany
Eu-Lee Nam (33) – South Korea
Liubov Nosova (30) – Russia
Tatiana Marcela Pérez Hernández (33) – Colombia
Silvina Peruglia (37) – Spain / Argentina
Deanna Tham (36) – USA
Yalda Zamani (38) – Iran
Martyna Zych (26) – Poland
What is questionable?
the idea that women are so inferior that they have to be relegated to a single sex competition? do try and think before you speak.
Still don’t understand why there is such a push for specific women conductors. What about a push for specific LGBTQ conductors, or Tanzanian conductors, or any other sub-group? Let’s have a meritocracy instead of affirmative action.
Could it be that we don’t actually live in a meritocracy?
Would be awesome for these wonderful candidates to learn from a male. Will be helpful for them to learn how to be an authority, gain respect and dismiss some of their innate female qualities. I’m all for women in big positions, so let them learn! We can let music stay sexist any longer.
“we can’t let music stay sexist any longer” he writes at the end of the most sexist paragraph of this comment section
Maybe I’m being charitable but perhaps this was irony?
Can’t *
A competition exclusively for women is a form of discrimination that should be condemned. Instead of segregating competitions, true excellence should be proven by competing with individuals regardless of their sex. Musicians, like all artists, should aim to showcase their skills by competing with a diverse range of talents, not limiting themselves to just 50% of the world’s population. This competition is a disgrace and the winner should not be too proud.
If they are the only names you recognise, then you need to get out of St John’s Wood more.
I will report this competition to EU Court of Human Rights, as it directly violates the EU principle of equality by excluding men.
Please, do it.
I don’t get it – what’s so questionable about this competition? I think the concept, and in particular, the mentorship offered, is quite unique. Do you mean it is questionable that is a competition for female conductors? Why would that be questionable, I wonder. Can you explain? Also, how many names do you recognize at other competitions?
Discrimination is what is questionable here. It’s important to recognize that sex-based discrimination is not in line with the principles of equality and inclusivity that we strive for in Europe. In fact, it’s illegal according to European Law to discriminate based on sex (and age, race etc.). While the mentorship aspect of the competition is indeed unique and valuable, it should be accessible to everyone, regardless of sex.
From invisible women to invisible men. Was there no stop in between?…
Perhaps the entire project of encouraging conductors is questionable, as well as the sexual discrimination proudly on view.
42? 37? 38? What Otter competition, regardless of instrument, would allow competitors of this age to participate?
All competitions should allow competitors of any age. That’s the only good thing about this terrible competition: no age discrimination.
I didn’t know that Otters lived so long but i’d love to hear their conducting at any age!
Some really bizarre anger shown towards this competition. Presumably there wouldn’t be a need for it if they were given more chances to develop their talents and get more exposure elsewhere. Who exactly does this competition harm – men? Find me some male conductors who believe their careers are being held back by such a competition. And the idea that female conductors need to learn from men how to be more “authoritative” is just plain embarrassing and rooted in another era. They need strong mentors, male or female, it just doesn’t matter!
I’dd like to see how an exclusive-male competition would be received. Sexism and overall discrimination has to stop. And this competition is nothing short of discriminatory to a whole non-female section of conductors.
P.S: do they accept trans?
IIf I may differ from the political and conceptual matters that were brought up here I will say that Bar Avni is a superb conductor. She reminds me in many ways Simone Young as she is full of energy and perceives music quite uniquely. Lately she made a very strong impression conducting Haydn with the Israel Chamber Orchestra. So, if this competition will get her exposure, I will be happy
I wonder if the Iranian government will force the Iranian candidate to withdraw since one of the other competitors is Israeli. Iran frequently does this in the Olympics and other sports competitions, but maybe that only occurs in the case of 1-on-1 events.
There is nothing questionable about this competition at all. This is the best competition of them all. All 14 candidates are superb conductors. They are superior than all the male conductors out there.
There is nothing questionable about this competition. All the candidates are superb and will go very far in their careers. They will all conduct all the great orchestras and hold directorships with all the major orchestras.
Questionable? More like contemptible. Well, then, how about a competition only for male harpists or male flutists?