In 1996, the Berlin University of the Arts received a generous donation from a patron who had been actively involved in the university's events for many years: a house with land near Hamburg. The rental income, after deduction of operating costs, enables the university to hold a competition for students of both Berlin music academies, which is usually held every two years.

Hier finden Sie die Ausschreibung zum Download.

Registration deadline
November 17, 2025

Public competitions, starting at 10 a.m. each day
Monday, 8 December: 1st round
Tuesday, 9 December: 2nd round
Wednesday, 10 December: Final

The exact performance times will be announced viaemail after the draw.
 

Prize winners' concert
Friday, 12 December 2025, 7 p.m.
Joseph Joachim Concert Hall, Bundesallee 1-12

The jury consists of renowned figures from Berlin's music scene.

Gabriel Schwabe, Professor of Violoncello at the Lübeck University of Music (Chair)
Mikayel Hakhnazaryan, cellist with the Kuss Quartet
Alexander Kovalev, principal cellist with the Staatskapelle Berlin
Felix Nickel, principal cellist with the Komische Oper Berlin
Dietmar Schwalke, former cellist with the Berlin Philharmonic

Round 1

• Domenico Gabrielli: a ricercar for solo cello
• Luigi Boccherini: two contrasting movements from one of the sonatas for cello and B.C. (performance with piano or second cello possible) 
• Frédéric Chopin: Largo from the Sonata Op. 65 or Sergei Rachmaninoff: Andante from the Sonata Op. 19 or Edvard Grieg: Andante molto tranquillo from the Sonata Op. 36
   

Round 2

• Johann Sebastian Bach: two contrasting movements from one of the suites for solo cello (to be played without repetition)
• A virtuoso work for cello and piano (e.g. Pezzo Capriccioso by Tchaikovsky or Elfentanz by Popper) 
• Ludwig van Beethoven: one of the last three sonatas for piano and cello or Franz Schubert: Sonata D. 821 ‘Arpeggione’ 
• A work for solo cello, written after 1945, duration approximately 10 minutes. Individual movements may also be played.

Finale

A major cello concerto from the standard repertoire

In 2025, the total prize money is 6,000€. The jury will decide how the money is divided between the award winners.

Cellists studying at the Berlin University of the Arts and the Hanns Eisler Academy of Music whose main subject teachers agree to their participation in the competition are eligible to take part. All prize winners are required to participate in the prize winners' concert. This presupposes that piano accompaniment will also be available on this date.

The registration fee is 10,00€. Please transfer the fee to the following account:

Universität der Künste Berlin
Berliner Volksbank
IBAN: DE91 1009 0000 2959 3550 05
BIC: BEVODEBBXXX
Reference: 0082/11979/97000012 Gabrielli Violoncello Competition + NAME

Proof of payment must be enclosed with the registration form. In the event of subsequent withdrawal by the participant, the fee cannot be refunded.

Berlin University of the Arts
Faculty of Music
Artistic Office
Laura Biederstedt
Bundesallee 1-12
10719 Berlin

Tel.: (030) 3185 2090
Mail: laura.biederstedt@intra.udk-berlin.de