Competition

Program

1st Round

Johann Sebastian Bach - Prelude and two other movements from one of the 6 suites for solo (at participant’s choice)

David Popper - any 2 etudes from “High school of cello playing” Op. 73 (at participant’s choice)

One piece (at participant’s choice) not more than 12 minutes

2nd Round

Aram Khachaturian - Sonata-Fantasy for Unaccompanied Cello*

One of the following sonatas for Cello and Piano (at competitor’s choice):

Ludwig van Beethoven - Sonata No. 3 in A major, Op. 69

Ludwig van Beethoven - Sonata No. 4 in C major, Op․ 102

Ludwig van Beethoven - Sonata No. 5 in D major, Op. 102 No. 2

Johannes Brahms - Sonata No. 2 in F major, Op. 99

Franz Schubert - Sonata in A minor, D.821 “Arpeggione”

Dmitri Shostakovich - Sonata in D minor, Op. 40

Sergei Prokofiev - Sonata in C major, Օp. 119

One piece at competitor’s choice (not more than 12 minutes).

3rd Round

Each participant is given 110 minutes for rehearsal with the orchestra.

One of the following compositions by Aram Khachaturian for Cello and Orchestra (at competitor’s choice)*:

Aram Khachaturian - Cello Concerto in E minor

Aram Khachaturian - Concerto-Rhapsody for Cello and Orchestra in D minor.

One of the following Cello Concertos at competitor’s choice:

Joseph Haydn - Concerto No․ 2 in D major, Hob. VIIb/2

Antonin Dvorak - Concerto in B minor, Op. 104

Robert Schumann - Concerto in A minor, Op. 129

Edward Elgar - Concerto in E minor, Op. 85

Édouard Lalo - Concerto in D minor

Camille Saint-Saëns - Concerto No․ 1 in A minor, Op. 33

*If necessary, the scores of Aram Khachaturian's compositions will be made available by the Competition.

Rules

Contestant

Prizes

Cash reward equal to 10,000 USD in AMD rate

Laureate Diploma

Participation in the 1 concert during 2027/28 season offered by the Organizing Committee of the Competition.

Cash reward equal to 5,000 USD in AMD rate

Laureate Diploma

Cash reward equal to 3,000 USD in AMD rate

Laureate Diploma

Special Prizes

Special Prizes

1․ Best interpretation of a composition for solo cello by Johann Sebastian Bach (1st Round)

2. Best interpretation of the etudes Op.73 for solo cello by David Popper

3. Best interpretation of the Sonata-Fantasy for Unaccompanied Cello by Aram Khachaturian (2nd Round)

4. Best interpretation of a sonata (2nd Round)

5. “Audience Award”: one concert performance with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra during its 2027/28 concert season

The Competition will provide additional special prizes and awards, which will be granted during the Gala Concert and Award Ceremony of the Competition.

Schedule of Events

All hours are set at the Armenian Standard Time (GMT/UTC+4)

June

Opening Ceremony

June

1st round (Day 1)

Performance, from 1 to 12 participants

June

1st round (Day 2)

Performance, from 13 to 24 participants

June

2nd round (Day 1)

Performance, from 1 to 6 participants

June

2nd round (Day 2)

Performance, from 7 to 12 participants

June

3rd round (Day 1)

Rehearsal/performance with orchestra, from 1 to 4 participants

June

3rd round (Day 2)

Rehearsal/performance with orchestra, from 1 to 4 participants

June

Award Ceremony and Gala Concert