Eszter Karasszon and Mátyás Hotzi triumph at the 6th Dávid Popper International Cello Competition

The 6th Dávid Popper International Cello Competition in Várpalota concluded on 22 November. This year the contest attracted entries in four age categories from 77 competitors from some 24 countries. Three entrants represented the Liszt Academy. Eszter Karasszon and Mátyás Hotzi came first in their own age categories, while Hagiwara Riku made it through to the second round of the competition (after only two months as a Liszt Academy student).

Under the rules of the competition, Csaba Oncazy, founder of the Dávid Popper International Cello Competition and professor of both Eszter Karasszon and Mátyás Hotzi, was unable to vote for his own students, but the international jury were unanimous in their praise of Eszter Karasszon’s remarkable Bach recital as well as the convincing performance of the Shostakovich concerto, and the incredible elegance and lightness of Mátyás Hotzi’s performance. “I am extremely proud of my students, both were hugely successful,” said Csaba Onczay.

The Dávid Popper International Cello Competition has been staged since 2000. The primary goal of the competition is to provide an opportunity for 10-23-year-olds to display their skills and talent on an international platform. “The last few years have proved that the Popper International Cello Competition holds a prestigious position and role in international competitions. This is very important to highlight because in Europe only a few countries organize international cello contests for young people,” noted Gabriella Szili, principal organizer of the competition.

The next Dávid Popper International Cello Competition is organized in 2017.

Congratulations on the competition win!