Cello and Double Bass in the Spotlight at Markneukirchen

Three selection tests, which were as demanding as they were exciting, paved the way for the three best double bass contestants to reach the final round on Thursday, 11 May 2023 in the Markneukirchen Music Hall. There, Hong Yiu Thomas Lai, José Trigo and Moritz Tunn once again presented themselves to the nine-member international jury. With the famous first Bottesini Concerto, they once again proved their mastery of the lowest string instrument and delighted the numerous guests. At the end of the night, José Trigo (pictured below) was declared winner of the 2023 Bass Competition.

A day later, this year's International Instrumental Competition Markneukirchen reached its climax in the violoncello category. Four candidates emerged as best-placed from the three preliminary rounds and presented themselves to the jury and the audience in the evening in the Musikhalle Markneukirchen. The four finalists, Grace Sohn , Vilem Vlcek, Gustaw Bafeltowski and Tzu-Shao Chao once again demonstrated their extraordinary skills with the D-Major Concerto  by Joseph Haydn. The participants were accompanied by the Clara-Schumann-Philharmoniker Plauen-Zwickau under the direction of GMD Leo Siberski.

After a jury deliberation, president Prof. Julius Berger pronounced Vilem Vlcek (pictured) winner of the 2023 Cello competition.