One Minute for Conductors

In Italy, more than 130 young people from all over the world take part in a week-long, nerve-wracking competition to be crowned best conductor. The camera follows the preparations of five finalists, their disappointments and triumphs, and above all their love of music and the complex art of conducting a symphony orchestra. Even though they stand with their backs to the jury, the knowledge that all eyes are on them makes conducting a piece of classical music an epic struggle. From the concert hall, the beady-eyed members of the jury follow every gesture and movement of the participants, who behind the scenes panic about blackouts, an unknown score or a poorly rehearsed piece of music. And then there is the performance itself: did the Bartok really sound as the composer intended? Not all conductors relish their place in the limelight, but the strength of their love of music quickly overcomes this stage fright. In front of the camera, the international candidates talk about their passion for music and the prospects their vocation offers, and the interviews are intercut with footage of the competition. The calm, soothing sounds of the classical compositions contrast more and more starkly with the rising tensions in the run-up to the final.