Royal College of Music to Showcase Eclectic Repertoire at 2026 Classic Cello International Competition
London will become the vibrant centre of the classical music world this spring 2026 as the prestigious Royal College of Music plays host to the inaugural Classic Cello International Competition. From the 26th of March to the 6th of April, centuries-old repertoire will meet bold contemporary works within the hallowed halls of one of Europe’s most esteemed musical institutions, offering an unparalleled platform for 40 emerging cellists gathered together from all over the world.
With the RCM’s storied concert venues providing the ideal backdrop for a competition distinguished by its musical diversity and rigor, contestants will be asked to present a wide variety of works from across the spectrum of classical music, starting with a selection of pieces from J. S. Bach, George Crumb, Paul Hindemith, and Alfredo Piatti for the preselection phase.
Then, for the First Round, the programme will consist of works from J. S. Bach, Claude Debussy, Fanny Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann, Rita Strohl, Benjamin Britten, Sofia Gubaidulina, and György Ligeti, followed by compositions from the pens of Henriëtte Bosmans, Ludwig van Beethoven, Sergey Prokofiev, Henriette Renié, and Mieczyslaw Weinberg for the Second Round. Finally, for the Final Round, the cellists will be required to prepare their choice of pieces from Edouard Lalo, Edward Elgar, Robert Schumann, as well as contemporary composer Alexey Shor.
For full information and to follow the competition as it unfolds, please visit the official website at www.classiccello.com
