The competition

The Nicolai Malko Competition is the Danish National Symphony Orchestra’s international competition for conductors. It has been held every three years since 1965. At the heart of the competition is the goal to identify and bring out those great young musical talents who will one day grace the podia of leading orchestras all over the world. 

As it has done from the very beginning, the Danish National Symphony Orchestra will dedicate all of its skills and energies to the competition. For the orchestra, the Malko Competition is about providing maximum artistic expression in partnership with the conductor in the same creative way as happens in all of its concerts throughout its orchestral season.

Maestro Fabio Luisi, Chief Conductor of the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, has been the chairman since 2018 and will continue as Chairman of the 2024 edition of the Malko Competition.

The Nicolai Malko Competition was under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Henrik until his recent death. 

The Board:

  • Mikael Beier, Secretary-General
  • Gert Herzberg, Secretary-General Emeritus
  • Caitríona Yeats
  • Ulla Knudsen
  • Claus Myrup
  • Kim Bohr
  • Tatjana Kandel