Prizes Awarded at Czech Republic's Gustav Mahler Prize Cello Competition

As the grand prize winner, French cellist Léo Ispir will receive $30,000 CZK ($1,350 USD)

Based in Jihlava, Czech Republic, where Mahler lived for fifteen years, the competition is organized by the Gustav Mahler Institute Prague in cooperation with the Gustav Mahler Philharmonic Jihlava. Cellists of any nationality were invited to apply, and there were eleven separate age categories, with all competitors aged 30 or younger.

This year, the competition ran online, with all applicants submitting pre-recorded entries. There were no repertoire requirements, but all players were required to perform from memory.

Hailing from a family of musicians, the grand prize winner Léo Ispir started playing the cello at age 7. A prize winner at the International Young Talent Competition in Normandy, he participated in the Tsinandali Festival in Georgia with the Pan Caucasian Orchestra. As an orchestral musician, he has played under the baton of Gianandrea Noseda, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Lahav Shani.

The Prize of Gustav Mahler Philharmonic Jihlava went to Jan Petrov, who will receive a performance opportunity in Jihlava.

The Prize of the Chief Conductor of the Gustav Mahler Philharmonic Jihlava went to Joshua Kováč while the Prize of the President of the Jury went jointly to Yoo Chaewon and Stefan Iordachi.

A range of other prizes was also awarded; you can view the full results here.