• Recent (less than 3 years) and high-quality file containing the required program for the preliminary audition only (no advertisement within the video).

• Pieces must be recorded in their entirety and must be UNEDITED (no cuts). Microphones should be positioned at a distance, allowing them to obtain a good sound quality. 

• The video must be filmed from the front, using a fixed and wide camera angle; the interpreter(s), for the accompanied pieces, both the soloist and pianist, must always remain visible.

• Titles of the movement and work and the pianist's name must be indexed (presented clearly with the video description and title on the upload platform used).

• Public recordings are accepted if they meet the recording conditions stated above.

• It can provide separate links to video recordings of the works (the two movements of Bach will need to be recorded in one take).

• It is highly recommended that the quality of the sound be considered to allow the jury to make the best possible judgment.

UPDATED BY 2025/02/05

Maximum 35 candidates, maximum 25-minute performance for each candidate.

1. One of the following virtuosic pieces (could be the same as the candidate’s pre-screening choice):

• D. Popper High School of Cello Playing, Op. 73: No. 13, 17, or 28 

• A. Piatti: Caprices for Cello Solo, Op. 25: No. 3, 7, 9, or 12

2. Prelude and one other movement from J. S. Bach’s Cello Suite - one of the following: 

• No. 3, BWV 1009

• No. 4, BWV 1010

• No. 5, BWV 1011

• No. 6, BWV 1012

3. One virtuosic concert piece for cello solo or with piano accompaniment by the following composers:

• N. Paganini: Variations on a Theme from "Moses" by Rossini

• B. Martinů: Variations on a Theme by Rossini (1942)

• D. Popper: Hungarian Rhapsody, Op. 68

• P. I. Tchaikovsky: Pezzo Capriccioso, Op. 62

• Z. Kodály: Sonata for Cello Solo, Op. 8 (select only one movement of the entire sonata)

UPDATED BY 2025/02/05

Maximum 14 candidates, maximum 35-minute performance for each candidate.

1. Any two movements chosen by the candidate from the selected sonatas of the following:

• L. v. Beethoven: Sonata in A Major, Op. 69

• L. v. Beethoven: Sonata in C Major, Op. 102/ No. 1

• L. v. Beethoven: Sonata in D Major, Op. 102/ No. 2

• F. Schubert: Sonata in A Minor, D. 821 "Arpeggione" 

• J. Brahms: Sonata in E Minor, Op. 38

• J. Brahms: Sonata in F Major, Op. 99

• F. Chopin: Sonata in G Minor, Op. 65

• C. Debussy: Sonata (1915)

• R. Strauss: Sonata in F Major, Op. 6

• S. Rachmaninoff: Sonata in G Minor, Op.19

• D. Shostakovich: Sonata in D Minor, Op. 40

• S. Prokofiev: Sonata in C Major, Op. 119

2. One virtuosic piece with free choice (with or without piano accompaniment): The works must be published by a formal press company. The works chosen for the pre-screening round submission may be performed again during the live competition, but they may not be the same as the previous round.

3. New Chinese Composition (The duration is about 5 minutes, will be announced one month before the First Round) 

UPDATED BY 2025/02/05

Maximum eight semifinalists, performing a concerto with piano accompaniment

1. Complete J. Haydn’s Cello Concerto - one of the following: 

• C Major, Hob. VIIb/1

• D Major, Hob. VIIb/2

2. One contemporary piece (with or without accompaniment composed after 1950) 

• A formal press company must publish the works. The works chosen for the pre-screening round submission may be performed again during the live competition, but they may not be the same as the previous round.

UPDATED BY 2025/02/05

Maximum four finalists, performing a concerto with the Harbin Symphony Orchestra

Complete Concerto - one of the following (without repeat):

• R. Schumann: Cello Concerto in A Minor, Op. 129

• A. Dvořák: Cello Concerto in B Minor, Op. 104

• E. Elgar: Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85

• P. I. Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme Op. 33

• D. Shostakovich: Concerto No. 1, Op. 107

UPDATED BY 2025/02/05