Performer: Jesko Sirvend

The conductor raised his baton to embark on the fourth movement – there was some slight disturbance in the hall. He lowered his hands and waited. He raised the baton again and waited. When silence was absolute he gave the sign for the timpanist to sound the pianissimo, misterioso drum roll that ushers in this extraordinary movement.

Des quatre finalistes rescapés des 330 candidatures initiales, le chef allemand et son confrère estonien ont été les plus convaincants – mais l'un d'eux méritait sans doute le Premier Prix, qui n'a pas été attribué...