28 year old Russian cellist Rustem Khamidullin has been awarded 1st prize at the 2nd 2017 Benyamin Sönmez International Cello Competition - in Fethiye, Turkey.
A graduate of the Gnesin Academy of Music, Basel University School of Music and the Stuttgart University of Music, Rustem is a former major prize winner at the Kozolupov International Cello Competiton and the Gisborne International Music Competition.
He will receive €5000 - and a number of important European concert debuts.
No 2nd prize was awarded at this year’s competition.
Joint-3rd prize was awarded to cellists Ülker Tümer from Turkey and Cansın Kara from Turkey.
This year’s jury comprised: Christoph Henkel, Claus Kanngiesser, Dilbag Tokay, Ibrahim Yazici, Munif Akalin and Mehmet Sönmez.
The competition was started in 2015 in commemoration of talented German-Turkish cellist, Benyamin Sönmez who tragically died suddenly from a heart attack - aged just 28.
