The International Anton Rubinstein Competition 2022 – CELLO JUNIOR

13. & 13. March 2022, Dusseldorf

Competitions are important milestones on the path of young musicians. We set a special emphasis with our junior competitions, which are aimed at children and adolescents aged 8 to 15 who are considering a professional music career. The junior competitions offer them the opportunity to check their skills and level of training, to make new contacts and to gain experience in performing 

We will conduct all of our scheduled competitions online via video. The final rounds will be published on YouTube, FaceBook and/or Instagram on the set dates – and of course the names of the three best instrumentalists, singers or ensembles. Certificates and prizes will be sent to the winners.

The competition is organized by International Music Academy Anton Rubinstein, Flingerstr. 1, 40213 Düsseldorf.

 Jury

Lisa Franken
Biography 

Lisa Franken was born into a family of musicians and began playing the cello and piano at the age of 4. She later received her musical education at the conservatories of Cologne (Germany), Maastricht (Netherlands) and the Royal Flemish Conservatory in Brussels (Belgium) in the Bachelor of Music and Master of Music/Concert Examination programmes, which she completed with distinction.
She received prizes at several international competitions for solo and chamber music and attended master classes with M. Kliegel, Young- Chang Cho (Kronberg Academy), K. Georgian (Tibor Varga Academy) and R. Wallfisch.
Her concert tours have taken her to various countries in Europe.
She currently lives in the Netherlands and pursues an active concert career as a soloist and chamber musician.
From the winter semester 2016/17, Lisa Franken will be a lecturer for violoncello at the Anton Rubinstein International Music Academy in Düsseldorf.

Yury Bondarev
Biography 

Yuri Bondarev, born in St. Petersburg, switched to the viola after studying violin at the Hanns Eisler Academy of Music in Berlin and was accepted into the class of Prof. Tatjana Masurenko at the Leipzig Academy of Music, where he also took his concert exam. Regular solo and chamber music performances have taken him to Austria, Italy, France, Greece, Sweden, Denmark, Holland and Japan. He has played in various ensembles including the Vienna Musikverein, the Leipzig Gewandhaus and the Milan Conservatory, the Alte Oper Frankfurt and the Tonhalle Düsseldorf.

He gained his first important orchestral experience with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and the Vienna Philharmonic with conductors such as Riccardo Chailly, Kurt Masur, Daniel Harding, Dmitrij Kitajenko, Christopher Hogwood, Herbert Blomstedt and others. Since 2009 he has played as deputy principal violist with the Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra.

Since 2012 he has been teaching violin, viola and chamber music at the Anton Rubinstein International Music Academy in Düsseldorf.

Li Jiwu
Biography 

Li Jiwu – Cello professor of Shanghai Conservatory of music, was honored as a member of the Royal Conservatory of music (FRAM) in 2013, and was awarded the title of “national excellent teacher” by the State Education Commission in 2019. He is a visiting professor of Royal Conservatory of music, Krakow Conservatory of music and Texas Christian University.
Li Jiwu graduated from Shanghai Conservatory of music and the Royal Conservatory of music (RAM). In his youth, he devoted himself to chamber music and symphony orchestra performance for many years. In the teaching career of cello performance, we have trained a number of excellent cello performance and teaching talents. In 2004, he won the best tutor award of national cello competition issued by the Ministry of culture, and in 2018, he won the excellent teacher award of national Baosteel Education Fund.
The main awards for tutoring students include:
In the national top level competition, the National Youth cello competition sponsored by the Ministry of culture of the people’s Republic of China has won the gold medal continuously
The gold medal of the youth group won the first place in the fifth competition;
In the sixth competition, the youth group won the first gold medal and the youth group won the second;
The 7th youth group and youth group won the first gold medal at the same time;
He won the gold medal or the top three in the International Cello competition of Russia, Hungary and Poland.
National projects: in 2012, he presided over the music performance of Shanghai Conservatory of music (string major) and was approved as the pilot of comprehensive reform of the Ministry of education;
In 2013, he presided over “string performance talent training” and won the special prize of teaching achievement of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission; in 2014, he was awarded the second prize of national teaching achievement of “world class string performance art talent training” by the Ministry of education; he published several performance theory articles in national core journals.
He is the judge of China Music Golden Bell award competition, National Youth cello competition sponsored by the Ministry of culture, Poland pandelesky International Cello competition, Hong Kong International string competition, Taiwan Cultural Cup string competition, etc.; he is the artistic director of national youth cello Art Week (Ningbo), Xiamen International Cello Festival, Shanghai Conservatory of Music International Cello Festival; He is a member of the board of directors of Wells Cathedral music school in the United Kingdom. He was the president of the high school attached to Xinghai Conservatory of music and the director of the orchestral Department of Shanghai Conservatory of music.

 Competition awards

  • 1st Prize
  • 2nd Prize
  • 3rd Prize
  • 4th Prize
  • 5th Prize
  • 6th Prize

 Winners

Nahar Eliaz, Israel

1st Prize
Biography 

Israeli, 15 years old, cellist Nahar Eliaz has internationally distinguished herself by winning 1st Prize and “Exceptional Artist” at the 2019 ” Vienna Grand Prize Virtuoso Competition” at the 2020  “ Golden Classical Music Awards New York” , at the 2020 “London Grand Prize Virtuoso  Competition”.  Absolute 1st Prize in 2021 at several International competitions, such as “VI Odin International Music Online Competition”, “Rudolf Barshai International Strings Competition”, “Citta Di Massa” International Competition”,“Grand Metropolitan International Music Competition”, “Wiener  Klassiker “Dunabia Talents International Online Music Competition”, “ Swiss International Music Competition”, “Domenico Savino International Music Competition 2021”,  1st prize at the 2017 “Morningside Music Bridge” Concerto Competition and 1st prize with Greatest Honor at the Tel Aviv Israeli Conservatory Competition three times in a row. 

Her success led to concerts at venues such as the Lincoln Center NY, Barcelona Arts Center, Carnegie Hall NYC and Beethovenhaus in Bonn, Germany. As soloist she has played with the Jerusalem Symphony and the Symphonette Ra’anana and with orchestras around the world as well as recitals in international Music Festivals in Europe and in USA. 

Following a personal invitation by Mr. Ytzhak Perlman for the “Perlman Music Program” Nahar was featured at the 2018 Gala event for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.

The Jerusalem Music Center selected her for coaching sessions with Mr. Musrry Perahia taking place in London.

Winner of the America Israel Culture Foundation with a unique highest honor scholarship ,Winner of  the “Zefunot Culture” Foundation of Music and the “Ronen Foundation” of Music awards.

Miss Eliaz was born in 2006 , started her cello lessons in 2011 and currently she studies with Prof. Hillel Zori and with Prof. Laurence Lesser.

Clara Yuna Friedensburg, Deutschland

2nd Prize
Biography 

Clara Yuna was born in Oslo and started playing the cello at the age of seven. She attends
the Barratt Due Academy and studies with Ole Eirik Ree. Despite her young age, Clara has already received several prizes in national and international music competitions. During 2019 she received the second prize and composers’ prize at the international Young Musicians competition in Tallinn (Estonia) as one of the youngest participants. The same year she also received the first prize at Jugend Musiziert (Praha / Czech). In 2019 and 2021 Clara received the first prize at the national Norwegian competition (Ungdommens Musikkmesterskap) and was last year honored “Talent of the year”.
At Barratt Due’s Christmas concert 2019 Clara performed Bruch’s Kol Nidrei as soloist with Barratt Dues Young Symphony Orchestra. Earlier that year she performed the first
movement of Haydn Cello concerto in C-Major as soloist with the competition orchestra in Tallinn (Estonia). In 2021 Clara participated in the chamber music workshop “Mit Musik – Miteinander” at the Kronberg Academy as well as being the youngest participants at David Geringas’ Masterclass during the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival.
At previous masterclasses Clara received further musical impulses from Danjulo Ishizaka, Claudio Bohorquez, Torleif Thedéen, Aage Kvalbein, Henrik Brendstrup, Nickolas Jones,
Jonathan Spitz, Jakob Koranyi and Mats Lidström.
Clara plays a cello that has been generously made available by the Norwegian Dextra Musica Foundation.

Jieon Lee, Südkorea

3rd Prize
Biography 

Cellist, Jieon Lee, performed at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center at the age of 8, and at Elias Kuppelsaal in Berlin at the age of 9. At the age of 10, she had the honor to perform a Cello Recital at the Kumho Prodigy Series, Young Artist Concert Series Cello Recital at the Elim art center and at the Paris music forum.
She participated in international competitions and won the following prizes: the 1st prize and the prize of jury president <diploma > at the Gustav Mahler Prize Cello Competition in 2021; the 1st prize and a money prize at the Antonio Janigro Cello Competition; the 1st prize at the INTERNATIONALER MOZART WETTBEWERB BERLIN; the 1st prize and the judges’ distinction award <plaque trophies winners> at the American Protege Piano and String  International Competition; and the 1st prize and the Tony Avella NY State Senator award at the NY International Music Concurs.

She was invited to play as a soloist with the Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra at the concert for the opening of Bule-Nova Hall. She also played with several orchestras including Ensemble M at Concerto nights, the Kimpo Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Bupyung Philharmonic Orchestra. She also conducted invited performances at Yewon winners concert, Young Musicians Festival , Lake Gala Concert, Picnic Classic Music festival, and Arte concert.

Chengyue Wen, China

3rd Prize
Biography 

Wen Chengyue was born in Guangzhou, China in August 2007. She began to learn cello at the age of 6 and studied under Mr. Ma Yu. She was admitted to the middle school attached to Shanghai Conservatory of music in 2019 and studied under Professor Li Jiwu. Won the first place in the professional children’s group of the third string competition of Guangdong Province in 2017; The fourth place in the professional children’s group of the Third International Cello competition of the 2019 Aegean cup; The first prize of group A of teenagers in the global online trial of 2021 International string open.

Anouk-Minou Toth, Deutschland

4th Prize
Biography 

2009 auf La Palma/Kanarischen Inseln in eine dt.-schweiz.-ung. Familie geboren, beginnt Anouk erst mit dem Geigenspiel und im Alter von 6 Jahren mit dem Cello.
Ihren ersten Unterricht bekommt sie bei Eros Jaca. Wichtige Impulse erhält sie von Antonio Meneses und Wen Sinn Yang.
Bereit mit 7-jährig gewinnt sie beim Schweizer Jugend Musikwettbewerb sowohl einen 1. Preis im Streichtrio mit ihren Geschwistern sowie einen 1.Preis mit Auszeichnung in Barock Cello. Als Sonderpreis wird sie von Maurice Steger an die Barock Akademie in Gstaad/Menuhin Festival eingeladen. Sie wird als jüngste Erstpreisträgerin schweizweit ausgezeichnet. Im gleichen Jahr erspielt sie sich beim Internationalen Rising Star Competition als jüngste Teilnehmerin einen 1.Preis mit Auftritt in der Berliner Philharmonie.
Es folgen weitere 1. Preise beim Schweizer SJMW wie auch Deutschen Jugend Musiziert in den Kategorien Cello Solo, Duo und Klaviertrio. Bereits 9-jährig erspielt sie sich im Klaviertrio mit ihren Geschwistern als jüngste Teilnehmerin des Bundeswettbewerbs (D) einen 1.Preis. Als Trio erhalten als bestes Ensemble eine Einladung ans International Chamber Music Festival in Mantua/Italien, wo sie im Theatro Bibiena wie auch Palazzo Ducale auftreten. 2021 gewinnt sie im Duo mit ihrer Schwester mit der Beethoven Sonate No1 als jüngste Teilnehmerin den WDR Classic Preis mit Übertragung im WDR.
Sie ist Preisträgerin des Internationalen Dotzauer Wettbewerbs für Junge Cellisten.
Ihr Debut mit Orchester gibt sie an ihrem 10.Geburtstag. Gemeinsam mit ihren Geschwistern gibt sie regelmäßig Konzerte in der Schweiz und im angrenzenden Ausland.
Neben der Musik widmet sie ihre Zeit intensiv der Malerei, zaubert, turnt und reitet.

Arne Zeller, Deutschland

4th Prize
Biography 

Arne Zeller born in October 2006, Arne started playing cello at the age of six in Trier with Moritz Reutlinger. Between 11 and 14 years of age, he was taught by Daniel Geiß at the University School of Music Mainz and then entered the program for gifted young
students at the University School of Music and Theatre Leipzig “Felix Mendelssohn
Bartholdy”, joining the class of Professor Peter Bruns in March of 2021.
At 12 years old (2019) Arne won a first prize in the music competition „Jugend
musiziert“ (national level) in the category cello solo, as well as the first national prize
as duo with piano in 2021. This duo also received the first prize in the Southwest
German Chamber Music Competition „Karel Kunc“ in 2020.
At an international level, Arne received the 3rd prize and the special prize of the jury
at the International Dotzauer Cello Competition in Dresden in October 2019. Being the
youngest contestant of his age group, he later won the 1st prize of the International
Cello Competition „Anna Kull“ in Graz in February 2020 and several international online competition prizes during the pandemic years thereafter, for example recently the 1st prize of his age group, category winner and special prize in the Gustav Mahler Cello
Competition 2022.

Austin Yuhan Dong, Kanada

5th Prize
Biography 

12 years old Austin Yuhan Dong is a young cellist with great musical passion and artistic potential. In recent years, he has achieved excellent results and won many awards in the cello competitions in Toronto and Ontario of Canada. He has many years of professional orchestra accompaniment and personal solo stage experience. He has been studying Cello since he was 7. With good music memorization, circulation, and articulation capabilities, he dreams of becoming a successful cello soloist.

Ryan Yeh, Neuseeland

6th Prize
Biography 

Ryan Yeh is a young cellist who was born into a musical family in New Zealand. At age of five, he began studying cello as well as piano. As Ryan’s mother Chin Yeh is a pianist , he has attended numerous concerts and been with great musicians since his childhood. Currently, Ryan is under the tutelage of the well-known American cellist – James Tennant.

By the age of ten, Ryan has performed in Los Angeles, Sydney and several cities in New Zealand. While practicing cello is Ryan’s daily routine, the piano playing means much more than a hobby to him. Besides performing as a cellist, Ryan is also a member of NZ Star Trio which formed in 2019.  By working as a chamber music soloist did enrich and broaden Ryan’s musicality and music knowledge. The NZ Star Trio has been performing the Haydn Gypsy Trio and Debussy Piano Trio in New Zealand this year.

Taking challenges in some international competition repertoires will give Ryan the opportunity to advance further both in knowledge and skills. In 2019, Ryan performed the complete Bach cello suite I. And in 2022 Jan, Ryan participated the Ysayë International Cello Competition. He was selected as the finalist. Meanwhile, his most recent project is to learn and record all Popper High School Etudes. Three etudes had been successfully recorded and published in 2021. Ryan will dedicate to his future projects and present his best as a cellist.

 Participants - Final Round

 Participants - I. Round

  • Johanna Felicitas Burkhardt, Deutschland
  • Junqiao Chen, China
  • Fei Cheng, China
  • Antonia Luciana Damoc, Rumänien
  • Sophie Deng, USA
  • Yuna Dierstein, Deutschland
  • Austin Yuhan Dong, Kanada
  • Nahar Eliaz, Israel
  • Tikhon Evlanov, Russland
  • Clara Yuna Friedensburg, Deutschland
  • Ivy Han, Australien
  • Niu Haozheng, China
  • Oscar Hollmer, Deutschland
  • Jalala Ismayılzada, Azerbaijan
  • Sophia Jenkins, USA
  • Ziqi Jin, China
  • Seongmin Jung, Südkorea
  • Jeong Eun Kwong, Südkorea
  • Darin Lambrev, Bulgarien
  • Yeji Lee, Südkorea
  • Jieon Lee, Südkorea
  • Lucas, Jun Kai Liow, Singapur
  • Jeremias Luther, Deutschland
  • Xavier Miyazaki, USA
  • Daniel Anton Palu, Rumänien
  • Hayden REN, USA
  • Kiki Skinner, Großbritannien
  • Chua Timothy, Singapur
  • Anouk-Minou Toth, Deutschland
  • Anny Yaxuan Wang, China
  • Si Kai Wang, Deutschland
  • Chengyue Wen, China
  • Ryan Yeh, Neuseeland
  • Yi Yi, China
  • Sheena Youn, Südkorea
  • Arne Zeller, Deutschland
  • Wang Zhi Xi Ming, China

 Conditions and FAQ

  1. The International Anton Rubinstein Competition  2022 – CELLO JUNIOR is organized by the International Music Academy Anton Rubinstein in Düsseldorf and it will take place online on April 13.03.2022.
  2. Young cellists all nations may take part in this competition.
  3. The competition will take place in two rounds, from which the Jury will decide the winners.
  4. The Both rounds will be completed via video link on YouTube. The results of the first round will be announced by email on on February, 18th, 2022.
  5. The final rounds will be published on YouTube, FaceBook and/or Instagram on the respective dates.
  6. The final round of the competition is public on the web.
  7. A maximum of 20 candidates will be advanced to the final Round. This decision will be made by the International Music Academy Anton Rubinstein, using the recordings from the first round.
  8. In the first and final rounds, candidates may freely choose their programs but the overall performance must not exceed 15 minutes.
  9. The final results will be announced on mondey, March 13th, 2022 with email. Certificates  will be sent to the winners.
  10. With their registration, participants authorize the organizer, i.e. the International Music Academy Anton Rubinstein, to use all photo, video and audio material of the competition at its discretion.
  11. The decision of the jury is final and incontestable.
  12. With his or her registration, the candidate agrees to the rules and regulations of the competition.
  13. Registration Deadline: February 10th, 2022
  14. Registration fee: 75€ before January 10th, 2022 and 100 € thereafter. Payment must be made into one of the two bank accounts provided and should indicate the full name of the competitor as well as the keyword „Cello Junior Competition“.
  15. The registration fee is non-refundable.

 Rental of instruments

The Academy will loan valuable instruments and bows to interested finalists.

Items currently available:

  • English cello ¾ from 17th century, London
  • German cello bow Moritz Knopf, Markneukirchen
  • German cello bow by Heinrich August Rau

Monthly fees will be
50.00 €  per bow
100.00 € to 150.00 € per cello

Finalists interested in a loan should contact violin maker Rodolfo Angilletta ahead of the contest.

Rodolfo Angilletta
Wallstraße 26
40213 Düsseldorf

Tel.: 0049 (0)211 131249
r.angilletta@arcor.de
http://www.der-geigenbauer.de

Schedules
  • Schedules are being worked on and will be published soon.