75e CONCOURS DE GENÈVE

INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION

CELLO RULES
 75th GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION
CELLO

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR 2021 CANDIDATES:

Due to the uncertainty surrounding the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, the Geneva International
Music Competition has decided to hold the first part of its 75th edition online.

The Registration fee is reduced from CHF 250.- to CHF 150.-.

The Preliminary Round programme (video selection) remains unchanged.
Travel and accommodation expenses of candidates invited to perform live in Geneva (Semi-Final &
Final rounds) will be covered by the Geneva Competition.

The first two rounds of the Cello Competition 2021 are merged into a 45-minute online recital, which will
be broadcast during the month of September. Selected candidates will have until August 15th to submit
their video recordings for this first stage of the competition. They will each receive CHF 500.- to cover
the video recording expenses of their online recital.

Semi-final and Final rounds will take place as planned in Geneva from 23-28 October 2021. Finalists will
get to perform at Victoria Hall with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande.

ORIGINAL COMPETITION FORMAT NEW COMPETITION FORMAT

Preliminary Round (video selection) Preliminary Round (video selection)

Recital 1 (live in Geneva)

Online Recital
Recital 2 (live in Geneva)

Semi-Final Round (live in Geneva) Semi-Final Round (live in Geneva)

Final Round with orchestra (live in Geneva) Final Round with orchestra (live in Geneva)

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I. GENERAL CONDITIONS

CONDITIONS OF ADMISSION

The 75th Geneva Competition is open to all cellists born after 29 October 1991, regardless of gender or
nationality.
Please note that candidates who had already registered for the 2020 Cello Competition, which was
postponed due to the coronavirus crisis, can report their application to this year’s competition even if
their age exceeds the limit set in the following rules.

Candidates who have already won a first Prize at one of the earlier Geneva Competitions are not
allowed to enter for the same discipline again.

REGISTRATION

Application deadline is 30 April 2021. Candidates must register directly on our website
www.concoursgeneve.ch

Registrations will only be considered as final until the following documents have been received (please
send attachments in high definition):

- An official confirmation of the candidate’s age (ID or passport).

- A resume (studies, schools, teachers, professional activities, prizes).
- Two different and recent color photographs in high definition (300dpi).
- A recent (less than 12 months) video recording with the programme of the Preliminary Round -
Technical specifications described in the following article.
- The recording must be accompanied by a certificate attesting its authenticity and integrity, signed
by a professor or by the technician who made the video recording. This certificate must indicate the
place and the date of the recording of each piece. (Certificate can be downloaded from our
registration platform)
- A detailed programme of works performed during the Competition

For all questions or issues regarding registration, please contact us at the following address:
[email protected]

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TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PRELIMINARY ROUND

VIDEO FORMAT:

Recent (less than 12 months) and high-quality file(s), containing the required programme for the
Preliminary Round only (no YouTube links).
In case of difficulty sending the files via our online registration platform, it is also possible to send
them via another transfer service (e.g. WeTransfer, Google drive, etc.). Please specify it in the
application form.

RECORDING:

a) All recordings must be UNEDITED (no cuts – no sound editing). Microphones should be positioned at
a distance allowing to obtain a good sound quality. The video must be filmed from the front, using a
fixed and wide camera angle. The performer must always remain visible.
For the piece with piano, both performers must be visible.
b) You may provide separate recordings for each piece, recorded in various places and at various
times.
c) In the case of a piece with several movements, you can either record the entire piece in one take or
each movement separately. If you record the entire piece in one take, please provide an additional
document with the timing of each movement.
d) Public recordings are accepted if they meet the recording conditions stated above.
e) It is highly recommended to take into consideration the quality of the sound, to allow the Jury to
have the best possible judgement.

REGISTRATION FEE

AMOUNT OF THE FEE:

The Geneva Competition is aware of the extremely difficult financial situation that most young
musicians are now faced with, due to concerts being cancelled and postponed. It has therefore decided
to reduce the application fee from CHF 250.- to CHF 150.-.

The registration fee for the 2021 Competition is CHF 150 (one hundred and fifty Swiss francs) payable in
a single instalment.

CONDITIONS OF PAYMENT:

- By credit card (Visa or Eurocard / Mastercard) directly on our website.

- Or by bank transfer (in this case, candidates must send us a copy of payment with their application
form).

Details of the bank:

Banque Cantonale de Genève

Quai de l’Ile 17 - Case postale 2251
CH - 1211 Genève 2

Swift N° BCGECHGG
IBAN N° CH 33 0078 8000 S 077 6119 5
Account N° S 776.11.95
Clearing N° 788
Account holder Concours de Genève

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Cheques are not accepted.
The registration fee is refundable under no circumstances.

THE COMPETITION

The Competition consists of the following stages:

- Preliminary Round (video selection)

- Online Recital (pre-recorded online session, broadcast in September)
- Semi-Final Round (live performance in Geneva, live stream)
- Final Round with orchestra (live performance in Geneva, live stream)

Results are announced after each round. Decisions of the Jury are final.

PRELIMINARY ROUND:

The purpose of the Preliminary round based on video recordings is to select candidates who are up to
the standards required to take part in the public rounds of the Competition.
This Preliminary phase takes place in camera in the presence of a Preliminary Jury, whose five members
include at least two members of the official Jury of the 2021 cello competition. It is held in a studio
guaranteeing the best possible technical conditions.
The names of the selected candidates will be published on our website on 4 June 2021. Selected
candidates will be notified personally and will receive further information regarding the next stages of
the competition, as well as technical specifications for the recording of their Online Recital.

ONLINE RECITAL:

The first stage of the 2021 Competition will be held online and consists in a 45-minute online pre-
recorded recital, which will be broadcast from 13-19 September 2021.
The running order of the candidates will be determined by random draw. The running order will remain
the same for all the following stages of the competition.

Candidates will have until 15 August 2021 to submit their video for this first stage of the competition.
They will each receive CHF 500.- to cover the expenses of the recording, which will have to respect a set
of very strict technical specifications.

Technical specifications for the Online Recital will be published shortly.

SEMI-FINAL & FINAL ROUNDS:

The Semi-Final and Final rounds of the competition will be held as planned in Geneva and live streamed
on the Geneva Competition’s website & social media.

WELCOME CEREMONY:

Candidates who reach the Semi-Final Round will be officially invited to the Welcome Ceremony, which
will take place in Geneva on 20 October 2021.
Official registrations will take place during this ceremony. Candidates will have to present their official
invitation, as well as their passport.
Presence at this event is mandatory in order to participate in the following stages of the competition
(derogations may exceptionally be granted for justified reasons).

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ACCOMMODATION, MEALS, TRAVEL EXPENSES & INSURANCE

ACCOMMODATION:
Candidates selected for the Semi-Final Round will benefit from free accommodation during their stay in
Geneva.

MEALS:
Candidates selected for the Semi-Final Round will receive a daily allowance to cover their meal
expenses.

TRANSPORT:
During the Welcome Ceremony in Geneva, candidates receive a pass that they must keep with them
throughout the Competition. This document constitutes their “Competition ID” in sorts and provides
access to public competition rounds as well as a free ticket for the Final. Furthermore, this pass provides
free use of the Geneva public transport system throughout the competition.

TRAVEL EXPENSES:
The Geneva Competition will cover travel expenses of candidates invited to participate in the Semi-final
Round in Geneva. The Competition will cover the cost of a round-trip economy class plane ticket, 2nd
class train ticket or the equivalent of the latter for a car journey.

INSURANCE:
The Geneva Competition is not accountable for the costs of candidates’ illness and/or accident during
their stay in Geneva.

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II. PRIZES AND AWARDS

OFFICIAL PRIZES

The Geneva Competition offers the following official prizes:

- 1st Prize CHF 20,000.- (= approx. € 18,900.-)

- 2nd Prize CHF 12,000.- (=approx. € 11,350.-)
- 3rd Prize CHF 8,000.- (=approx. € 7,570.-)

SPECIAL PRIZES

- Audience Prize: CHF 1,500.-

- Young Audience Prize: CHF 1,000.-
- Students Prize: CHF 1,000.-
- Hélène Gallay Prize: CHF 5,000.-
- Concert de Jussy Prize : CH F 3,000.-
- Breguet Prize: CD recording
- Rose-Marie Huguenin Prize: international concerts tour

The Audience Prize is awarded by the audience at the Final performance.

The Young Audience Prize is awarded by young students of partner schools.
The Students Prize is awarded by students in musicology and of partner Universities of Music.
The Hélène Gallay Prize is awarded to the best performance during the Semi-Final Round
The Concert de Jussy Prize is awarded to the First Prizewinner and consists in a concert.
The Breguet Prize is awarded to one of the Prizewinners and consists of a CD recording with orchestra.
The Rose-Marie Huguenin Special Prize is awarded to every official Prizewinner and consists in an international
concerts tour.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

The Geneva Competition offers an ambitious career development programme, providing precious
support and advice to help boost laureates' careers.

I. CONCERTS
In addition to the official prizes, laureates benefit from two years of management from the concert
agency Pro-Musica Genève. The key to a series of performances, allowing them to take their first steps
in Swiss and international concert venues.

II. RECORDINGS
Each year, one winner is given the opportunity to record a CD with orchestra. Distributed by the label La
Dolce Volta, these recordings are an excellent means of promotion for young artists at the beginning of
their career.

III. CONCERT TOURS

During the two years following their prize, laureates are offered an international concert tour. A great
way to promote the Geneva Competition abroad and a unique opportunity for prize-winners to establish
an international reputation.

IV. WORKSHOPS

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Each year, the Geneva Competition offers a Prizewinners Workshop. During one week, participants can
take part in a series of workshops comprising different subjects, such as performance, health, career
management, image and social media.

PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY

The prizes, awards and diplomas signed by the President of the Jury as well as the President and the
Secretary-General of the Geneva Music Competition, will be presented to Laureates during the prize-
giving ceremony, which takes place at the end of the Final.

RECORDINGS

The final rounds (Semi-Final and Final rounds) will be filmed, recorded and broadcast live (radio and
video streaming). The Geneva Competition reserves the right to select excerpts from the recordings of
prizewinners’ performances for the production of a CD at the end of the year. Candidates selected for
the final rounds – Semi-Final and Finals – will receive a recording of their performance. This recording
must under no circumstances be distributed in any form without prior agreement of the Competition.
Candidates shall answer to other parties involved for any abusive use of these recordings.

Selected candidates waive all and any rights to audio/video recordings as well as
radio/television/internet broadcasts – including the Online Recital and public sessions of the Geneva
Competition.

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III. JURY

MEMBERS OF 2021 CELLO JURY:

- Ivan Monighetti, Russia, President

- Thomas Demenga, Switzerland
- Michaela Fukačová, Czech Republic
- Ophélie Gaillard, France
- Qin Li-Wei, China/Australia
- Shauna Rolston, Canada
- NN

The appointment of the 7 Jury members is the sovereign responsibility of the Artistic Committee of the
Competition. Members are chosen for their international recognition in the music world, regardless of
any racial, ideological, political or linguistic considerations.

EXCERPT OF JURY RULES:

The Geneva Music Competition has a strict set of rules by which juries must abide. These include both
general rules and voting procedures that change in accordance with the various stages of the
competition. Here are a few defining features:

- The Preliminary Round consists in the viewing of video recordings sent by candidates. At least two
members of the final Jury take part in the Preliminary Jury.
- The Jury abstains from voting for candidates that have been their students on a regular basis
during the two years preceding the competition, or that will become their students within the six
months following the competition. This rule is no longer applicable during the Final Round.
- Members of the Jury are forbidden to communicate with participants or those close to them during
the entire competition. They are required to respect the principle of confidentiality.
- The President of the Jury votes in the same way as the other members. In the event of a tie, his vote
counts for two.
- Official prizes are attributed in two phases: first, the Jury establishes a ranking of finalists, then
decides whether or not the best amongst them deserves a First Prize.
- All prizes are not necessarily awarded.

FEEDBACK
Participants eliminated after the Online Recital will receive written feedback from Jury members.
After the Semi-Final Round, Jury members will remain available to candidates who have not passed to
the Final Round of the competition, in order to provide feedback on their performance.

The juries’ deliberations are governed by internal regulations. Their decisions are final and there is no
right of appeal.

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IV. MISCELLANEOUS

PROGRAMME

Selected candidates are required to send their programme prior to the final deadline of 30 June 2021.
Past this deadline, no changes may be made to the programme, unless these were to be specifically
required by the Artistic Committee of the Competition.

MUSICAL SCORES

Candidates who reach the Semi-Final Round must present themselves at the Welcome Ceremony with
their own original musical scores.
Additionally, they must provide one copy of each of their pieces at free choice.
During the Competition, candidates are expected to use their own original musical scores of the works
they perform. The Geneva Competition cannot be deemed responsible for any fraud that might be
committed by a candidate in this field (such as the public use of illegal copies).

ACCOMPANISTS

The Geneva Competition provides candidates with official accompanists. Exceptional circumstances
surrounding the 2021 Edition will allow candidates selected for the Semi-Final Round to benefit from
substantial time to rehearse with their accompanists.
If they wish, candidates can bring their own accompanists to Geneva, at their own expense (including
travel and accommodation).

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V. CALENDAR & COMPETITION PROGRAMME

CALENDAR 2021:

30 April Application deadline

25-26-27 May Preliminary Round (video selection)
04 June Announcement of selected candidates
15 August Online Recital pre-recorded video deadline
13-19 September Online Recital broadcast
20 September Announcement of selected candidates for the Semi-Final Round
20 October Welcome Ceremony in Geneva
23-24 October Semi-Final Round (Geneva)
28 October Final Round with orchestra (Geneva)

PROGRAMME:

All pieces must be performed by heart, except for the sonatas for cello and piano and the contemporary
piece (Semi-Final Round). Exceptions may be accepted upon request. Candidates may choose the order
in which they wish to perform their programme during each round.

A. Preliminary Round – video recording (approx. 30 min.)

• J. S. Bach: Prelude, Sarabande, Galanteries (Minuets I & II or Bourrées I & II)

from one of the following Suites for Violoncello solo :
o Suite N° 2 in D min. BWV 1008
o Suite N° 3 in C Maj. BWV 1009
o Suite N° 4 in E flat Maj. BWV 1010

• A. Piatti ou N. Paganini: ONE Caprice at choice from:

o Piatti: Caprices Op. 25, N° 3, 6, 7, 12
o Paganini : Caprices Op. 1 N° 5, 9, 13, 24

• Third piece at free choice, with piano accompaniment

The works chosen for the Preliminary Round may be performed again during the competition.
The piece at free choice is meant to show candidates musical personality. Recording all the
movements is not mandatory.

B. Online Recital (max. 30 candidates - max. duration 45 min.)

• J. S. Bach: One of the following Suites for Violoncello solo:

o Suite N° 2 in D min. BWV 1008
o Suite N° 3 in C Maj. BWV 1009
o Suite N° 4 in E flat Maj. BWV 1010

Candidates may perform the entire suite or select movements they wish to perform (minimum 3).
They are given the option to play the repeats or not. Please keep in mind given timing for the Online
Recital.

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 • One piece from 20th Century for solo cello from the following list:
o G. Crumb : Sonata for cello solo 11’
o P. Hindemith: Sonata for cello solo 11’
o Z. Kodaly: Sonata Op. 8 (1st movement) 9’
o G. Ligeti : Sonata for cello solo 8’
o H. Dutilleux : 3 Strophes sur le nom de Sacher 10’
o K. Penderecki : Per Slava 6’
o A. Ginastera : Puñena 2 10’
o B. Britten : Suite N° 2 (declamato, scherzo, ciaccona) 12’

• L. v. Beethoven : Sonata for violoncello and piano in C Maj. Op. 102 N°1

• One piece at free choice (optional)

Candidates may add a free choice piece to their Online Recital, provided that it does not
exceed the 45-minute limit.

C. Semi-Final Round (8 candidates, max. duration 60 minutes)

• One baroque sonata from the Appendix I

• One contemporary work from the Appendix II

• Rest of the programme at free choice.

Works already performed in the Online Recital may not be repeated. Determining factors
include originality, choice of repertoire and variety.

D. Final Round with orchestra (3 finalists)

• One concerto from the following list:

o R. Schumann: Concerto in A min. op. 129
o E. Elgar : Concerto
o W. Lutosławski : Concerto
o D. Chostakovich: Concerto N° 2 op. 126
o H. Dutilleux : Tout un monde lointain

Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, conducted by Georg Fritzsch

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APPENDIX I:

List of baroque sonatas at free choice for Semi-Final Round

J.S. Bach Sonata for Viola da Gamba in G Maj BWV 1027 (with harpsichord)

J.S. Bach Sonata for Viola da Gamba in D Maj BWV 1028 (with harpsichord)

J.S. Bach Sonata for Viola da Gamba in G min BWV 1029 (with harpsichord)

L. Boccherini Cello sonata in C min G. 2 (with pianoforte)

L. Boccherini Cello sonata in A Maj G. 4 (with pianoforte)

L. Boccherini Cello sonata in G Maj G. 5 (with pianoforte)

L. Boccherini Cello sonata in C Maj G. 6 (with pianoforte)

L. Boccherini Cello sonata in A Maj G. 13 (with pianoforte)

L. Boccherini Cello sonata in C Maj G. 17 (with pianoforte)

Pitch will be A=440 and the tuning system will be equal-temperament.

For the Boccherini sonatas, please use the Ricordi (rev. Pater Noster) edition.

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APPENDIX II:

List of contemporary works at free choice for Semi-Final Round

Jonathan Harvey ricercare una melodia, (avec électronique)

Violoncello and electronics (1984) 7’

Kaija Saariaho Petals,

Violoncello and electronics (1988) 9’

Bernd Alois Zimmermann Sonata for violoncello solo (1960) 15’

Krzysztof Penderecki Capriccio per Siegfried Palm (1968) 8’

Isang Yun glissées (1970) 14’

Helmut Lachenmann pression (1969) 9’

Michaël Jarrell ....some leaves.... (1999) 10’

Iannis Xenakis Kottos (1977) 9’

Tristan Murail attracteurs étranges (1992) 8’

Pascal Dusapin incisa (1982) 8’

Heinz Holliger Trema (1981-83) 13’

Elliott Carter Figment (1994) 5’

Isabel Mundry Cellosolo (1997) 9’

Youghi Pagh-Pahn AA-GA I (1984) 13’

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