National Cello Competition
The National Cello Competition is the most exciting part of the Cello Biennale.
Fifteen young cellists (<27 y.o.) from the Netherlands (or studying in the Netherlands) will be performing in front of an international jury and live audience for the grand prize in this year’s eleventh edition.
The jury will be judging not only the winners of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes but also the winners of the incentive prize and the prize for the best interpretation of a specially commissioned piece. And as always, the audience will decide the public prize.
The prizes
There are several additional prizes besides the 1st (€8,000), 2nd (€6,000), 3rd (€4,000), incentive (€2,000), audience (€1,000) and best interpretation (€1,000) prizes.
Sena Cello CD Prize
The Sena Cello CD Prize enables the competition winner to make a (debut) CD. The prize is made possible by Sena Performers in cooperation with record label TRPTK.
Start in Splendor Prize
The winner of the Start in Splendor Prize will have the opportunity and budget to prove themselves as a cultural entrepreneur on a professional stage. The prize is awarded to the competition participant who has submitted the most interesting plan for this purpose and has reached the Second Round.
Gewa Cello case
The finalists of the National Cello Competition will be offered a cello case by Gewa Music.
Photoshoot with Sarah Wijzenbeek
The three finalists will be offered a photo shoot by photographer Sarah Wijzenbeek.
Strings
'De Cellowinkel' is offering second round participants a free comprehensive string consultation, with cellists receiving the new string set-up as a gift.
Concerts
The prize winners of the competition are offered concerts in various concert series and festivals in the Netherlands.
Scholarship Cellissimo Academy Budapest
The winner of this prize will be invited to take part in the masterclasses at the Cellissimo Academy in Budapest in the summer of 2027. The prize is awarded to a competition participant who has reached the Second Round.
Upcoming concerts
Saturday 7 November, 21:00
Cello Coupé (during the Cello Biënnale), Grote Zaal Muziekgebouw
Sunday 8 November, 15:00
NedPhO-koepel, Amsterdam
Sunday 15 November, 11:30
Theater de Veste, Amsterdam
Wednesday 18 November, 12:30
Lunch concert, Concertgebouw Amsterdam
Thurday 26 November
London Embassy
Sunday 14 March
Oude Kerk, Oosterbeek
Sunday 18 April, 15:00
Jonge Meesters Wilp
Sunday 23 May
Storioni Festival, Eindhoven
Concerts in 2027 and 2028, dates to be confirmed:
Schiermonnikoog Festival
Oranjewoud Festival
Wonderfeel
Internationaal Kamermuziekfestival Utrecht
Stichting Huize Gaudeamus
Common Ground Festival
Rovigo Cello City
Cello Biënnale Amsterdam 2028
