Bratislava International Cello Competition Announces 2024 Winners

Cellists Lyana Ulikhanyan and Yosuke Shimizu have won first prize in their respective categories 

Held this year from September 6–12, the Bratislava International Cello Competition took place in two categories: the first for cellists aged up to 21, and the second for cellists up to the age of 30.

In Category I, Lyana Ulikhanyan of Armenia won first place with €1,500, as well as the Prize for the best interpretation of the Slovak composition. 

Second prize with €1,000 went to Maria Auxiliadora Bozada Waflar of Spain, and the €500 third prize was awarded to Josef Matěj Švec from Czechia.

For Category II, the Japanese cellist Yosuke Shimizu won first prize with €3,000. Second prize with €2,000 went to Roni Gordillo Bolaños from Mexico. 

The €1,000 third prize went to Pablo Laporev of Austria, and the Prize for the best interpretation of the Slovak composition was awarded to Jula Murbach of Czechia.

Overall, 48 candidates applied in Category I, while 44 applied in Category II. The Finalists performed with the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra at the Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts’ (VŠMU) Concert Hall Dvorana of the Music and Dance Faculty.

Chaired by Jozef Podhoranský, the jury comprised Georg Baich, Stanisław Firlej, Jiří Hanousek, Ľudovít Kanta, Michal Kaňka, and Csaba Onczay.

“Beyond thrilled to have won 3rd prize at the International Cello Competition VŠMU in Bratislava, Slovakia!” Laporev posted on Facebook. “Such an amazing experience performing Haydn D Cello Concerto with the Capella Istropolitana Chamber Orchestra and the Dvořák Cello Concerto with the Radio Slovak Symphony Orchestra under the inspiring baton of Konstantin Ilievsky. A big thank you to the organizers for making this event run so smoothly!”