Applications can be submitted exclusively online: application form.

The following documents must be included in the application:

a) Copy of passport
b) Artistic CV in tabular form (in German or English)
c) Colour photo (minimum size 1000 x 1500 px, 300 dpi)
d) Four individual YouTube-links to recent uncut video recordings of the
works listed below:

1) Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude, Sarabande from Bach Suite No 4 or No 6
2) Franz Schubert: Sonata for arpeggione and piano in A minor D 821, 1st movement
3) Richard Strauss: from Don Quixote Op 35, Finale (with piano)
4) Julius Klengel: Scherzo for cello and piano Op 6

The video recordings may not be more than one year old.

Applicants whose documents have not be received by the organisational office by the deadline on 1 July 2022 may only participate in the competition under exceptional circumstances and with the express approval of the competition committee.

Members of the jury will select a total of 12 competitors based on the documents and video recordings submitted. This pre-selection is considered the first round of the competition.

Applicants will be informed of the first round results by 1 September 2022 at the latest.

The organisers will endeavour to arrange a private house concert in Berlin for each of the 12 competitors in the run-up to the competition.

As a general rule, competitors are responsible for their own travel expenses to and from Berlin. Those who require a visa for Germany must obtain their visa from a German Consulate in their country of residence. Kronberg Academy is willing to provide assistance with travel expenses in special cases. Requests for assistance should be submitted in writing to Kronberg Academy. Competitors are responsible for arranging their own accommodation in Berlin.

Lots will be drawn to decide the order in which the competitors will perform. This performance order shall remain unchanged for the duration of the competition. All participants must be present when the lots are drawn on 15 November 2022.

Prior to the second round, each competitor will have the opportunity to spend at least two hours rehearsing with the pianist. On request, the competition committee will provide a pianist for competitors free of charge. All competitors are also free to rehearse with their assigned pianist before the competition if they wish. Competitors may likewise bring their own pianist at their own expense.

Prior to the semi-final and final, each semi-finalist will have an opportunity to rehearse with the members of the Boccherini Trio and the ensemble Metamorphosen Berlin.

All finalists will have the opportunity to rehearse with the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin prior to the final.

The competition is divided into four parts. Pre-selection based on the recordings and documents submitted constitutes the first round (see section 4 above). The second, third (semi-final) and fourth (final) rounds will be public events held in the form of concerts. The second round will take place in the Chamber Music Hall of the Berlin Philharmonie, the third round at the Concert Hall of UdK Berlin, and the final at Haus des Rundfunks (Broadcasting House) in Berlin.

In the second round, competitors may play their programme of pieces in any order. In the third round (semi-final) and fourth round (final) all orchestra pieces must be played by heart.

FIRST ROUND
Please submit YouTube links to recent uncut video recordings of the works listed below with the application form. A separate link must be provided for each work. The video recordings must not be older than one year.

1) Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude, Sarabande from Bach Suite No 4 or No 6
2) Franz Schubert: Sonata for arpeggione and piano in A minor D 821, 1st movement
3) Richard Strauss: from Don Quixote Op 35, Finale (with piano)
4) Julius Klengel: Scherzo for cello and piano Op 6

SECOND ROUND
16 and 17 November 2022, hamber Music Hall of the Berlin Philharmonie (12 competitors)

1) Jörg Widmann (commissioned work): This work has been specially composed for the competition. Applicants will receive the sheet music two months before the start of the competition.

2) Ludwig van Beethoven: a sonata for piano and violoncello (Op 5 No 1 or No 2, Op 69, Op 102 No 1 or No 2)
or
a variation for piano and violoncello (Op 66, WoO 45, WoO 46)
(All movements are to be performed without repeats)

3) One or more works of the competitor’s choice.
Individual movements also permitted. No works from the first round.

A total of 50 minutes are available for performance of the work by Beethoven and the work(s) of the competitor’s choice.

THIRD ROUND (SEMI-FINAL)
19 November 2022, Concert Hall of Berlin University of the Arts (6 semi-finalists)

1) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: from the Divertimento for String Trio KV 563, 1st movement with members of the Boccherini Trio

2) One of the following concertos:
Joseph Haydn: Cello Concerto in D major Hob. VIIb:2 (cadenza in first movement by Emanuel Feuermann or Mstislav Rostropovich)
or
Michael Haydn: Cello Concerto in B flat major
Orchestra: Metamorphosen Berlin

FOURTH ROUND (FINAL)
21 November 2022, Großer Sendesaal (Large Broadcasting Hall), Haus des Rundfunks, Berlin (3 finalists)

One of the following concertos:
1) Edward Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor, Op 85

2) Dmitri Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op 126

3) Robert Schumann: Cello Concerto in A minor, Op 129

Orchestra: Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, conductor: Joseph Bastian

GRAND PRIX EMANUEL FEUERMANN: EUR 15,000

The competition places special emphasis on arranging promotional concerts for the prizewinner, particularly concerts with an orchestra. A total budget of EUR 10,000 is set aside for arranging these concerts. There is no legal entitlement to performances being arranged.

2. PRIZE: EUR 10,000

3. PRIZE: EUR 5,000

SPECIAL PRIZE for best interpretation of the work composed for the competition by Jörg Widmann: EUR 3,000

SPECIAL PRIZE for best interpretation of the Divertimento by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: EUR 3,000

SPECIAL PRIZE for best interpretation of one of the Concertos by Joseph or Michael Haydn: EUR 3,000

YOUNG MUSICIAN’S PRIZE: EUR 3,000

AUDIENCE PRIZE: EUR 1,500

Results will be announced at the end of each round. On 22 November 2022, selected prizewinners will take part in a prizewinners’ concert in the Joseph-Joachim-Konzertsaal of Berlin University of the Arts. The prizewinners will be selected by the jury.

The Grand Prix Emanuel Feuermann will be awarded on 22 November 2022 during the final concert with the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin (conductor: Joseph Bastian) and Metamorphosen Berlin in the Großer Sendesaal of Haus des Rundfunks Berlin. Winners will not be paid a fee for their performances in the prizewinners’ concert or the final concert.

The competition organisers have the unlimited right to broadcast the competition performances and the final concert on television and radio, and to make audio, film and CD recordings of the performances without any payment to the competitors or prizewinners. Participation in the competition shall indicate the competitor’s acceptance of the rules. The decision of the jury is final.