Three cellists will each play the Schumann concerto in the final for a share of €15,000 cash and other prizes

Markneukirchen Cello Competition finalist Friedrich Thiele photographed by René Gaens

Markneukirchen Cello Competition finalist Friedrich Thiele
Photo ©René Gaens

The International Instrumental Competition Markneukirchen has announced the finalists for its 2019 cello competition.

The three young cellists are:

  • Yeong-Kwang Lee (South Korea)
  • Friedrich Thiele (Germany)
  • Daniel Thorell (Schweden)

Each will perform Schumann’s Cello Concerto with the Plauen-Zwickau Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Leo Siberski on Friday 17 May at the Musikhalle Markneukirchen.

The competition’s first prize winner takes €7,000 in cash as well as a BAM cello case and concert engagement with Chursächsischen Philharmonie Bad Elster. 

With Markneukirchen being the centre of German instrument making, there is also a new bow by a local master bowmaker on offer for the winner of the audience prize.

The jury, headed by Maria Kliegel, comprises Yi-Bing Chu, Danjulo Ishizaka, Zdzisław Łapiński, Jelena Očić, Csaba Onczay and Marko Ylönen.