60th Beethoven’s Hradec International Music Competition is announced for the violoncello.
The competition is open to artists aged 30 or less. All competition rounds are open to the public; competitors do not play anonymously. Competitors can use an offer of piano accompaniment arranged by the compettion oganizer. The piano accompaniment fee totals EUR 80 (or CZK 2000). Audio or video recordings made during the competition may be used for promotional purposes without the competitors’ further consent. No copyright related to the aforementioned use of recordings is applicable.
The competition is going to take place from 10 to 14 June 2025 (1st and 2nd round in Minorit Monastery in Opava, 3rd round in St. Václav’s Church in Opava).
The 60th International Competition is organised by Beethovenův Hradec, z. s. and the Primary Art School in Opava with the financial support of the Moravian-Silesian Region, the Czech Ministry of Culture, The Život umělce Foundation, and other sponsoring parties.
Application
Applicants will fill in till 9th April 2025 the application online, which include a photo and a confirmation of payment of entry fee. Because of capacity there will be accepted first 35 applications.
Entry fee
Competitors must pay the entry fee of EUR 80 (or CZK 2000) to the following bank account by no later than 9 April 2025.
Bank: Fio banka, a.s., Address: V Celnici 1028/10, 117 21 Praha 1, Czech Republic
Payee: Beethovenův Hradec, z. s., Payee’s Address: Beethovenův Hradec, z. s., Nádražní okruh 647/11, 746 01 Opava
IBAN: CZ97 2010 0000 0029 0149 0376
BIC/SWIFT Code: FIOBCZPPXXX
Message for the Payee BH 2025 — “candidate’s name” (e.g. BH 2025 — John Smith)
It is strongly recommended that the candidate’s name and the payment purpose be included in the transfer order.
The entry fee is non-refundable.
Repertoire
1st round - solo cello pieces, played from memory, with a maximum duration of 15 minutes per round
a) J.S. Bach: Prelude and two movements from any suite BWV 1007-1012
b) one virtuoso etude:
- D. Popper: Hohe Schule des Violoncellospiels Op. 73
- A. Piatti: Caprice Op. 25
- M. Bukinik: 4 concert etudes
2nd round Compositions for violoncello and piano, playing from sheet music,
1st movement without repetition, round duration
max. 45 minutes
a) L. van Beethoven: one of the sonatas for violoncello and piano:
- F major Op. 5, No. 1
- G minor Op. 5, No. 2
- A major Op. 69
- C major Op. 102, No. 1
- D major Op. 102, No. 2
b) free selection from compositions (sonatas, suites) of the 19th - 20th centuries
3rd round* One of the pieces for violoncello and orchestra, composition must be performed from memory
- P. I. Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme Op. 33
- A. Dvořák: Concerto in B minor, Op. 104
- B. Martinů: Concerto No. 1
- R. Schumann: Concerto in A minor Op. 129
- D. Shostakovich: Concerto no. 1 Op. 107
*The 3rd round of the competition will take place in cooperation with the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava. The competition organiser reserves the right to hold the 3rd round with piano accompaniment. Such change will be published on the festival and competition website, www.beethovenuvhradec.cz www.beethovenuvhradec.cz, no later than by the end of April 2025.
Programme
| 10 June
8.00 a.m. - 4.00 p. m. - Registration of Competitors (Primary School of Arts Opava)
5.15 p.m. - Competition draw (the Hall of the Minorit Monastery, Opava)
6.00 p. m. - the Opening Concert (the Hall of the Minorit Monastery, Opava)
| 11 June (the Hall of the Minorit Monastery, Opava)
8.00 a.m - First round
| 12ve June (the Hall of the Minorit Monastery, Opava)
8.00 a.m. — Second round
| 13th June (cinema Vesmír, Ostrava)
1 p.m. Final round — Contestants’ orchestra rehearsal
| 14th June (St. Václav’s Church, Opava)
3.00 p.m. — Third round (with the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava)
Jury
Jiří Hanousek the chairman of the jury
Michaela Fukačová - Czech Republic, Denmark
Ramón Jaffé - Latvia, Germany, Israel
Michal Kaňka - Czech Republic
Eugen Prochác - Slovakia
Main prizes
1st prize – CZK 80,000
2nd prize – CZK 40,000
3rd prize – CZK 20,000
Special prizes
THE DEAN OF THE FACULTY OF FINE ARTS AND MUSIC OF UNIVERZITY OF OSTRAVA PRIZE
Special prize of CZK 5,000 for a unique interpretation performance
THE MATICE SLEZSKÁ PRIZE
CZK 5,000 for the best competitor from the Czech Republic.
PRESTO ART AGENCY PRIZE FOR ONE OF THE FINALIST
Houslový recitál pořádaný v rámci Cyklu komorních koncertů 2025/2026 v Národním divadle Moravskoslezském.
THE BÄRENREITER PRAHA SIZE FOR THE FINALIST
The edition of Antonín Dvořák Slavonic Dances Op. 46 for violoncello and piano.
The jury reserves the right to not award some of the prizes and to divide the corresponding financial reward should a prize be awarded to more than one contestant. The decision of the jury is final.
Accommodation
Competitors are responsible for arranging and paying their own accommodations. Hotels and hostels at different price levels are available in the town of Opava. The organiser is not responsible for underage competitors nor liable for any potential damage that may arise during the course of the competition.
Information about the town of Opava are aviable on the sites of the Tourist Information Centre..
