Queen Elisabeth Competition 2026: cello
Semi-final
At each session, four different semi-finalists are scheduled. The first two play a concerto with the Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie, under the baton of Vahan Mardirossion, chosen from:
- Concerto in C major op. 4 by Anton Kraft;
- Concerto in B flat major by Michael Haydn;
- Concerto in D major Badley D3 by Leopold Hofmann.
After the break, the other two cellists perform their recital. The jury selects one of two recital programmes proposed by the candidate, each including works of the candidate’s choice and a compulsory unpublished work written especially for this year’s edition.
The order of appearance of the semi-finalists will be available on the website of the Queen Elisabeth Competition, as from Sunday 10 May. The names of the twelve finalists will be announced after the last performance on Saturday 16 May.
Presented jointly by the Queen Elisabeth Competition & Flagey