David Popper XI. International Cello Competition
Next competition:
6-11 October, 2025
Várpalota, Thury Castle
Next competition:
6-11 October, 2025
Várpalota, Thury Castle
The young South Korean cellist, Youbien LEE, will perform Haydn's Cello Concerto in D major in Székesfehérvár on 26 February at 19:00 in the Szent István Hall.
Youbien LEE won the first prize in the 5th category of the 9th Popper International Cello Competition (Várpalota, Hungary).
This concert was a special prize for the Alba Regia Symphony Orchestra.
The Alba Regia Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by Róbert Farkas.
Matias de Oliveira Pinto, Brazilian-German cellist, professor, and permanent jury member of the Popper International Cello Competition 4 February 2025 has passed away.
Gabriella Szili Director of the Competition, the jury members, and the competition organizers bid him a sad farewell. Matias had been a member of the jury since the competition's inception.
You will be missed, but your memory will remain with us. Rest in peace!
https://www.thestrad.com/.../brazilian.../19242.article
Csaba Onczay, the chairman of the jury, remembered him so on his Facebook page:
This is a sad day. My heart is broken. Matias de Oliveira Pinto, my former student, true friend, excellent cellist, and famous professor, has passed away.
The tragic accident cut short his extremely valuable career.
He taught at the Münster University of Music and the University of the Arts, Berlin, and had an extensive artistic and pedagogical career. His death shocked the international classical music community and everyone who knew his art and kind personality.
We have known each other for nearly forty years. He was a permanent jury member of the Popper International Cello Competition, he played at the Liszt Academy Alumni concert in the Vigadó, and on my 70th birthday, he led the 25-piece cello orchestra at a surprise concert in the Solti Hall of the Liszt Academy. Our joint master classes and concerts on several continents of the world, the cello, music, and deep friendship are unforgettable and will remain eternal memories.
Your friend forever, Csaba