Budapest International Cello Competition

hu

08. - 14. Sep 2025

Budapest International Cello Competition

Budapest

Jury

Frans Helmerson

Head of jury

Swedish cellist Frans Helmerson began his musical training with Guido Vecchi in Gothenburg before moving on to study with Giuseppe Selmi in Rome and William Pleeth in London. Sergiu Celibidache and his mentor Mstislav Rostropovich also played a very influential role in his artistic development. In 1971, he won the renowned Cassado Competition in Florence – the first of many distinctions. Tours have taken him to other countries in Europe as well as to Japan, Russia, South America, Australia, New Zealand and the USA.

Anne Gastinel

With a career spanning over thirty years, Anne Gastinel performs in the most beautiful halls and festivals of every continent (Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Philharmonie de Paris, Vienna Musikverein, Suntory Hall in Tokyo, Théâtre du Châtelet, Victoria Hall in Geneva, Wigmore Hall in London, Auditorium de Lyon, Amsterdam Concertgebouw…) in recital, in chamber music and alongside the world’s leading orchestras.

Keller András

András Keller is a violinist, conductor, and teacher, and a key figure in Hungarian musical life. He began his career as a soloist, but gained international recognition primarily as the founder of the Keller Quartet, which has become one of the most highly acclaimed string quartets in the world.

Jens Peter Maintz

Jens Peter Maintz enjoys an outstanding reputation as a versatile soloist, highly sought-after chamber musician, and committed cello teacher.

Gwen Starker

Gwen Starker is a renowned American violinist, known primarily as a soloist and educator. Throughout her career, she has performed with numerous American and international orchestras and has appeared at major festivals from North America to Europe.

Santiago Cañón Valencia

Santiago Cañón Valencia is one of the most promising figures in Colombian cello playing, and despite his young age, he has already gained significant international recognition. He began his studies in Bogotá, later continuing under masters such as Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt and Andrés Díaz.

Várdai István

István Várdai is highly regarded for his joyous energy, rhythmic vigour and elegant grace in his soulful renditions of solo, chamber music and orchestral repertoire for cello. In his fourth season as Artistic Director of Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra, he continues to present inspiring and creative programmes. Alongside this, István welcomes world-renowned musicians at the Kapostfest Chamber Music Festival in Hungary and continues his soloist career with leading orchestras performing repertoire from Bach to Péter Eötvös.

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