The National Cello Competition is an essential part of the Cello Biennale Amsterdam. In 2018 it took place for the seventh time.
Fifteen talented cellists from the Netherlands or studying in the Netherlands presented themselves to an international jury and audience during a preliminary round, two regular rounds, and one final round.
The Jury
Sven Arne Tepl
Chair
Reinhard Latzko
Kristina Blaumane
Chu Yi-Bing
Arnau Tomàs
Monique Bartels
Matt Haimovitz
Patty Hamel
Secretary
Programme
First Round
Friday 19 October
Main Hall, Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ
- Luigi Boccherini Sonata in A, G13 (without repeats)
- Theo Loevendie Commissioned work available from 1 July
- Frédéric Chopin Cello Sonata in g, opus 65 parts 2 and 3: Scherzo and Largo
- Gabriel Fauré Papillon, opus 77
Accompanists from the First Round:
Cello - Geneviève Verhage, Charlotte Gulikers
Piano - Daniël Kramer, Daniël Kool
Candidats may bring their own accompanists
Second Round
Tuesday 23 October 2018
Main Hall, Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ
1. Ludwig van Beethoven Choose from:
a) Twelf variations in F, op. 66: “Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen”
b) Twelf variations in G, WoO 45: “Judas Maccabaeus”
c) Seven variations in Es, WoO 46: “Bei Männern welche Liebe fühlen”
2. Claude Debussy Sonata for cello and piano in D, L. 135
3. Choose from:
a) Max Reger Sonata no. 3 in F, opus 78: andante con variazioni
b) Johannes Brahms Sonata in F, opus 99: adagio
c) Richard Strauss Sonata in F, opus 6: andante ma non troppo
4. Giovanni Sollima Alone for cello solo (contact michael neuburger for more information about the sheet music)
Finals
Friday 26 October 2018
Main Hall, Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ
- Robert Schumann Cello Concerto in a, opus 129
Symphonyorchestra of the Conservatory of Amsterdam
Dirk Vermeulen, conductor
Eline Hensels wins First Prize
After the nerve-racking finals of the National Cello Competition, where the three finalists played the fantastic and very difficult Schumann cello concerto, the jury decided that Eline Hensels is the First Prize Winner. The jury: “You are present, you take the musical space you need and you work energetically.” Hensels also won the Audience Prize.
Amke te Wies received the Second Prize, the Prize for best interpretation of the commissioned work and the Start in Splendor Prize. Irene Enzlin won the Third Prize. The Incentive Prize went to Tom Feltgen.
Regulations
Participating cellists must meet the requirements as listed in the attached file. Before applying for the competition, please read this important document thoroughly.
The registration is closed on 1 June.
The Prizes
First prize
€8.000,-
Second prize
€6.000,-
Third prize
€4.000,-
Incentive prize
€2.000,-
Audience prize
€1.000,-
Prize for best interpretation of the commissioned work
€1.000,-
Sena Cello CD Prize
The Sena Cello CD Prize gives the winner the opportunity to record a CD. The prize is made possible by Sena Performers.
Kronberg Academy Master Class Prize
Since 2012, the competition has been enriched by a new prize: the Kronberg Academy Master Class Prize. This prize allows the three finalists to follow masterclasses in Kronberg, Germany accommodated by the Kronberg Academy. The Kronberg Academy is an academy for string players focused on coaching international talent of the highest order. The academy was founded 20 years ago under the patronage of cellist Mstislav Rostropovich and Marta Casals-Istomin.
Start in Splendor prize
As winner of the Start in Splendor Prize you get the opportunity and budget to prove yourself as a cultural entrepreneur and professional artist. You organize and present a concert, taking responsibility for the program, attracting the audience, and finances. The prize is awarded to the candidate with the best proposal that has also reached the second round.
Solo performance with orchestra
The winner of the First Prize receives the opportunity to play a solo concerto with the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra or the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra
Gewa Cello Air 3.9
The finalists of the National Cello Competition are offered by Gewa Music the pricewinning cello case Cello Air 3.9 in the color of their choice.
Photoshoot with Sarah Wijzenbeek
The winners of the First, Second and Third Prize are offered a photoshoot with Sarah Wijzenbeek..
And furthermore:
The laureates are offered concerts at various concert series and festivals in the Netherlands. The First Prize winner gets the first option on the concerts.
Saturday 27 October 2018 - Cello Coupé*, Grote Zaal Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ
Sunday 28 October 2018 - Sunday morning concert in Spiegelzaal Concertgebouw
Wednesday 31 October 2018 - Lunch concert*, Kleine Zaal Concertgebouw
Sunday 18 November 2018 - Concert recital* Delft De Veste
16-21 March 2019 - Festival concert Kamermuziekfestival Schiermonnikoog
21 March 2019 - Happy Bach&Breakfast in cooperation with 24Classics, TBD
1 May 2019 - Laureates concert in cooperation with Oskar Back and YPF*, Grote Zaal Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ
May 2019 - Start in Splendor, Splendor Amsterdam (winner Start in Splendor Prize)
July/August 2019 - Festival concert, Delft Chamber Music Festival
July 2019 - Festival concert, Wonderfeel
Augustus 2019 - Festivaloptreden, Grachtenfestival
August 2019 - Concert in Rising stars, Zeister Muziekdagen
August 18-28 2019, concerts with the Dutch Symphony Project, including the opening concert of Cellofestival Zutphen.
25 October 2019 - Sneak Preview*, Cello Biënnale Amsterdam
12 January 2020 - Concert recital Oude Kerk, Oosterbeek
23February 2020 - Coffee concert 1 hour, De Flint Amersfoort
11 July 2020 - Laureates concert in cooperation with Oskar Back and VU-Orkest*, Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ
October 2020 - Concert during Cello Biënnale Amsterdam 2020*, Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ
And further:
Season 19/20 Concert recital Gouda
Season 19/20 Concert with orchestra Nedpho*
* These concerts are given by the First Prize winner of the National Cello Competition 2018.
