Munich’s ARD International Music Competition Names 2024 Cello Winners

Cellist Maria Zaitseva has won first place in the cello category alongside a €10,000 cash prize

Hosted annually, the ARD International Music Competition is one of the largest competitions of its kind in Germany. Held from September 7–15, 2024, this year’s edition was open to wind quintet, voice, oboe, and cello. 

In the cello division, Maria Zaitseva of Russia was awarded the €10,000 first prize and the Audience Prize of €1,500. 

Second prize with €7,500 went to the Polish cellist Krzysztof Michalski, who also won the €1,000 Prize for Commissioned Piece by Marc-André Dalbavie. The €5,000 third prize was awarded to Alexander Warenberg from the Netherlands. 

Finalists in each of the categories performed with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and conductor Hankyeol Yoon. 

The cello finals streamed live here on The Violin Channel, as did the finals for wind quintet, voice, and oboe. 

Chaired by Frans Helmerson, the jury for cello comprised Andrzej Bauer, Emmanuelle Bertrand, Natalie Clein, Maximilian Hornung, Xenia Jankovic, and Jing Zhao.

“Congratulations to all three of you and see you again at the prizewinner‘s concerts,” the competition organizers posted on Instagram. “We are looking forward to hearing you again!”