Website: http://www.bach-leipzig.de/

Category: Cello, Voice, Organ
Date: July 4 to 14, 2012
Country: Germany

The competition was first launched in 1950 in the city of Bach; Leipzig. From a four-year cycle, it has become a biennial event since 1996, with three changing subjects.

Website: http://www.festival.cz/en/competition

Category: Cello, Harpsichord
Date: May 7 to 15, 2012
Country: Czech Republic

With a long history since its first reception in 1947 initiated by renowned Czech conductor and composer Rafael Kubelík, together with the Czech Philharmonic, the competition is internationally distinguished for its exceptionally high standards of musical aesthetics. Throughout history, the event has discovered a respectable number of great artists including Igor Bezrodny, Mstislav Rostropovich and Smetana Quartet. Taking place annually in Prague, two out of sixteen categories alternate in different combinations each year upon the decision of competition committee. Its refined quality is a promise from the jury panel consisting of world class music authorities, with big names such as David Oistrakh, Paul Tortelier, Jean-Pierre Rampal having been past juries. Laureates will be invited to perform on stage in the famous Prague Spring International Music Festival together with many more outstanding musicians.
The 2012 edition will focus on the cello and the harpsichord.

Website: https://www.kronbergacademy.de/cms/english/

Category: Cello
Date: November 16 to 21, 2010
Country: Germany

Established in 2002, the cello competition has been held every four years in Berlin’s Philharmonie, home of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. The first Grand Prix was awarded on the occasion of the 100th birthday of the great cellist, Emanuel Feuermann. The repertoire, including works by Bach and Schumann, is designated in a relation to Feuermann’s personality, life and work. The Grand Prize winner will be offered a series of international concerts and a CD recording. Past winners include Giorgi Kharadze, Danjulo Ishizaka, Boris Andrianov and Gabriel Schwabe, just to name a few.

Website: http://lutoslawski-cello.art.pl/

Category: Cello
Date: 2013
Country: Poland

Named after the Polish composer Witold Lutoslawki, the competition aims to establish international connections between young cellists and cello professors through competitions. With an emphasis on a balanced musical talent, candidates are to interpret repertoires of a wide stylistic range, from works of early periods to that of contemporary times. Dedicated to promote young cellists, the competition is the first to place a strict age limit (24 or under) amongst all in Europe, adding on to its demanding feature. Candidates entering the final round are to perform Lutoslawki’s concerto works with Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra. Apart from the winners, awards will be assigned to the best performance of various repertoires. Atop all, the Grand Prix may be granted to the best interpreter of Lutoslawski’s concerto upon jury’s decision. Laureates of previous years include Philip Higham (2009), Marcin Zdunik (2007, Grand Prix winner), Kenji Nakagi (2005), Julian Steckel (2003), Bartosz Koziak (2001), Danjulo Ishizaka (1999), Anna Tyka (1997) and more.

Website: http://www.tchaikovsky-competition.com/

Category: Cello, Piano, Violin, Voice
Date: June 14 to July 2, 2011
Country: Russia


The time has finally come in 2011 for international classical music lovers to witness the awe of International Tchaikovsky Competition four years after its previous edition, as well as to admire the shining confidence and profound musicality of participants, each bringing their unique interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s spirit on stage. With a collection of previous laureates now taking leading roles in the international music scene, such as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Mikhail Pletnev, Gidon Kremer, Elena Obraztsova and more, the competition has earned its absolute authority in the selection of the finest world class musicians.

Website: http://www.civp.com/indexgb.html

Category: Cello
Date: October 27 to November 8, 2009
Country: France

The Rostropovich Competition, named after the famed 20^th-century cellist, presents its ninth edition this year. It was first organized in 1977 with an invited group of prestigious jury members, including Luciano Berio, Henri Dutilleux, Witold Lutoslawski and Iannis Xenakis. The event has carved out a reputation as one of the best competitions of the Concours internationaux de la Ville de Paris. In 2005, there were 211 performers from more than 40 countries applying to take part in the competition. The competition continues to flourish this year, faithful to the passion and the pursuit of excellence embodied by Rostropovich. The jury will be chaired by the renowned Polish composer Krysztof Penderecki.

Website: http://concurs.festivalenescu.ro/

Category: Piano, Violin, Cello, Composition
Date: September 3 to 11, 2011
Country: Romania

Inaugurated in 1958 by George Georgescu, the competition is held biannually at the neo-classical Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest to honour the achievements of George Enescu, one of the best known Romanian musicians of all time. It is held in companion with the George Enescu International Festival, in which an extensive programme of concerts and recitals by distinguished artists are organized. The contest is open to participants of all nationalities under the age of 33. It concentrates on areas of Enescu’s special interests – piano, violin and strings in performance, and works for orchestras and chamber ensembles in composition. Winning compositions for both symphonic and chamber music will be performed in public concerts organized during the next edition of the festival. The jury comprises outstanding musicians from Romania and abroad. Previous jurors include Arthur Rubinstein and Nadia Boulanger.

Website: http://2011.brahmscompetition.org/

Category: Piano, Chamber music, Violin, Viola, Cello, Voice
Date: September 3 to 11, 2011
Country: Austria

Named after one of the leading pianists and composers, Johannes Brahms, the annual competition has taken place since 1984 in Pörtschach, a town located on a beautiful lake where Brahms spent summer months and wrote some of his most important pieces. It aims to promote classical music and culture in the region, and welcomes participants of all ages. Marks are given immediately after each performance and in full view of the public, the Competition is proud of the transparency and fairness of the judgement. The repertoire includes works by Brahms and other famous composers such as Bach, Chopin, Mozart and Haydn. Past winners include Kristaps Bergs, Miroslav Sekera, Milan Karanovic, Alexander Akimov, Giampaolo Stuani and Lea Birringer.

Website: http://www.culturaviva.cl/

Category: Cello
Date: November 5 to 12, 2011
Country: Chile

Created in 1974 by the Cultural Corporation of Viña del Mar, the competition is organized to honour Dr. Luis Sigall, a dedicated music lover who has contributed in offering quality music activities in the community. Being one of the most prestigious international music events in Viña del Mar, a tourist and beach resort known as “The Garden City” in central Chile, it is held annually in a five-year cycle, each year focusing on a different discipline: violin, cello, guitar, vocal or piano. Prominent musicians and scholars are invited as jurors. Top prize winner will be guaranteed with a series of concert engagements in Chile. Previous prize winners include Sean Kennard and Andras Csaki.