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 ninth 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.
Finalists 2024
Bruno Tobon
Thomas Prechal
Ori Ron
Candidates 2024
Andrej van Brakel
Charlotte Brussee
Mudrė Buckutė
Efstratia Chaloulakou
Marianne Fusenig
Silvia Gira
Joshua Hassler-Forest
Thomas Larichelière-Banken
Hattie McGregor
Thomas Prechal
Ori Ron
Margherita Maria Gianna Succio
Bruno Tobon
Laurens Toet
Beste Yildiz
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.
Kronberg Academy Master Class Prize
This prize is provided by the Kronberg Academy and allows the three finalists to attend master classes at the Academy in Kronberg, Germany.
Dörfler bow
Bow maker Dörfler Bogen is offering the competition winner a beautiful copy of a Tourte bow: the *EGIDIUS DÖRFLER*** master bow.
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
Cellist Mirjam Daalmans of 'De Cellowinkel' is offering second round participants a free comprehensive string consultation, with cellists receiving the new string set-up as a gift.
The prize winners of the competition are offered concerts in various concert series and festivals in the Netherlands:
Sunday 17 November Delft, Theater de Veste
Wednesday 20 November Amsterdam, Concertgebouw - lunch concert
Thursday 21 November London Embassy - private concert
Sunday 19 January Concert series Valthermond
Sunday 9 February Oosterbeek, Oude Kerk
Yet to be scheduled concerts at:
Wilp Jonge Meesters
24Chambers
Delft Chamber Music Festival
Wonderfeel
Storioni Festival
Oranjewoud Festival
Schiermonnikoog Festival
Grachtenfestival
De Flint
Cello Biënnale Amsterdam 2026
Dordt in Cello
Cellofestival Zutphen
Cello Café Dieren
