Samuel Lee ​wins 2024 Malko Competition

South Korean conductor Samuel Seungwon Lee has been revealed as the first prize winner of the international Malko Competition 2024. As well as a cash prize, Lee receives conducting contracts with 24 orchestras worldwide including competition hosts, the Danish National Symphony Orchestra.

Lee’s performance of a special baroque version of Haydn’s La passione with harpsichord accompaniment won him a cash prize of €20,000 plus a three-year tenure with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, with chief conductor – and competition jury chairman – Fabio Luisi as his personal mentor.

Luisi, who presented the first prize said: ‘Samuel has a fantastic way of phrasing the music, and he worked with the orchestra's sound in a very special way throughout the competition. That is why he wins the Malko Competition 2024.’

Lee was chosen as the winner among 24 young finalists, while Colombian contestant Ana María Patiño-Osorio took home the competition’s €15,000 second prize and its €1,500 audience prize. She also won the special youth jury prize, which was presented on stage in the Concert Hall by students from Viborg Cathedral School, who travelled to Copenhagen to present the award on behalf of the whole class. Chinese conductor Dong Chao was awarded the €12,000 third prize.

Lee adds this latest victory to previous accolades won as a conductor and violist at competitions including the Anton Rubinstein International Competition, Michael Spisak International Competition, the Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition, the Max Rostal International Competition and the Salzburg International Mozart Competition.

Surprised by the Malko Competition’s tradition of performing H.C. Lumbye's Champagne Gallop conducted by the winner as the end of the award ceremony, Lee was presented with sheet music and baton by Luisi and persuaded to conduct the Danish National Symphony Orchestra in the festive orchestral piece.

Commenting on his experience at the competition, Samuel said it was ‘special’ for him to work all week with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra. He added: ‘All in all, it's a fantastic experience to stand on the podium and shape the music with my hands while I communicate with the musicians,’