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George Enescu International Competition cello section

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2026-09-06 14:42 UTC → 2026-09-08 16:24 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The 2026 George Enescu International Competition cello section progressed from the semifinals to the final round in Bucharest. In the semifinals, six cellists from the United States, South Korea, China, and Switzerland competed using a ‘Play & Conduct’ format. This stage required participants to perform while simultaneously conducting the ensemble to test musical maturity and communication. Following the semifinals, Joshua Kováč (USA), Sanghyeok Park (South Korea), and Samuel Niederhauser (Switzerland) were named finalists. The final round featured the musicians performing concertos with the Radio National Orchestra under the direction of Case Scaglione. Kováč and Park performed Antonín Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B minor, while Niederhauser performed Dmitri Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1. Swiss cellist Samuel Niederhauser was awarded first prize in the cello section. Performing at the Romanian Athenaeum with a 1690 Carlo Giuseppe Testore cello, Niederhauser also received the Audience Prize and the award for best performance of the compulsory work, ‘Waves of Gravel’ by Malika Kishino. Joshua Kováč took second prize, while Sanghyeok Park was also recognized as a finalist.

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