The competition consists of three rounds.

First Round

• 1 Capriccio of choice from the 11 Capricci for Violoncello Solo by Joseph Marie Clément Ferdinand dall'Abaco
• 1 Capriccio of choice from the 12 Capricci for Violoncello Solo, Op. 25 by Alfredo Piatti OR 1 Etude of choice from High School of Cello Playing, Op. 73 by David Popper
• 1 Prelude of choice from the Six Suites for Solo Cello (BWV 1007–1012) by Johann Sebastian Bach

Semi-Final

One cello sonata of choice:

• L. van Beethoven: Sonata No. 3 in A major, Op. 69
• L. van Beethoven: Sonata No. 4 in C major, Op. 102 No. 1
• J. Brahms: Sonata No. 1 in E minor, Op. 38
• J. Brahms: Sonata No. 2 in F major, Op. 99
• D. Shostakovich: Sonata in D minor, Op. 40
• S. Prokofiev: Sonata in C major, Op. 119
• B. Britten: Sonata in C major, Op. 65

And one virtuoso piece of candidate's choice (max. 12 minutes)

Final 

One cello concerto of choice with piano accompaniment (performance from memory is mandatory):

• J. Haydn: Cello Concerto No. 2 in D major, Hob. VIIb/2
• R. Schumann: Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129
• C. Saint-Saëns: Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 33
• C. Saint-Saëns: Cello Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 119
• E. Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
• A. Dvořák: Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104
• P. I. Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33
• D. Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, Op. 107
• D. Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No. 2 in G major, Op. 126

Rules and regulations

Age Limit: Up to 32 years old at the time of the competition.

Jury Conflict of Interest: Members of the jury may not vote for a candidate with whom they have a close connection (family relation) or who is/has been their student.

Conduct: Jury members shall refrain from having any direct or indirect contact with candidates throughout the competition, and from making public statements regarding candidates, jury activities, or competition management.

Evaluation: The jury evaluates performances based on artistic interpretation, technique, style, and overall impression. All decisions of the jury are final and indisputable.

Official Accompanist: Candidates wishing to use the official accompanist provided by the organizer pay an additional fee of 15 EUR. Candidates are welcome to bring their own accompanist.

Prizes:

• 1st place: 3000 EUR + Masterclass with the jury members* + Performance at the winners’ concert + AV recording
• 2nd place: 1500 EUR + Masterclass with the jury members* + Performance at the winners’ concert + AV recording
• 3rd place: 500 EUR + Masterclass with the jury members* + Performance at the winners’ concert + AV recording
• Special Prize: 200 EUR (for the best performance of a Croatian composition ) + Performance at the winners’ concert + AV recording
• Audience Award: 200 EUR

*Masterclass with a jury members will be held right after the competition in Split, Croatia.