The fifth edition of the Gustav Mahler International Cello Competition, held online under the auspices of the Gustav Mahler Institute Prague and the Gustav Mahler Philharmonic Jihlava, recently concluded.
18-year-old American-Czech cellist Joshua Kováč emerged as the overall winner, impressing the judges with his performances of Prokofiev’s Sinfonia Concertante and Bach’s Sixth Suite in D major. Kováč was awarded a prize of CZK 30,000 and also received the Gustav Mahler Philharmonic Jihlava prize, which includes a future performance with the orchestra.
The honorary prize from the chief conductor of the Gustav Mahler Philharmonic Jihlava was given to 25-year-old German cellist Bobby Kostadinov.
Additionally, 10-year-old Czech cellist Anna Bumbálková was recognized for her performance of a work by Daniel van Goenz. She received the prize for best Czech competitor, an honorable mention, and an invitation to the Visegrad Youth Music Academy 2025, which will be held in Pezinok, Slovakia.
Joshua Kováč, a current student of Daniel Veis at Park University, has earned several prestigious awards in his career, including victories at the International Young Artist Concerto Competition, Ronald Sachs International Music Competition, Nashville Symphony Curb Concerto Competition, Gustav Mahler International Cello Competition, and the MTNA National String Competition.
The jury for the 2025 competition included Jan Pospíšil (chair), Petr Nouzovský, and Jiří Jakeš (chief conductor of the Gustav Mahler Philharmonic Jihlava).
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