The 12th International Karl Davidov Cello Competition
The competition is organized to enrich cultural life in the Kuldīga district, commemorate the memory of the distinguished cellist and teacher Karl Davidov, who was born in Kuldīga, and support young cellists in their professional development. It is organized by Kuldīga District Municipality, Ernests Vīgners Kuldīga Music School, and Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music.
1. Time and place
The competition is held from March 7 to March 13, 2027, at Ernests Vīgners Kuldīga Music School, Smilsu Street 6, Kuldīga, and at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, Barona Street 1, Riga.
2. Participants
2.1. The competition is open for young professional performers and students studying cello in Latvia or other country (citizens and dual citizens of Russia and Belarussian are not accepted on the Competition);
2.2. The competition is held in four groups (age at the moment of the Competition) :
2.1.1.Group “Hope”- age up to 12 years;
2.2.2. Group A - age 13 to 15 years;
2.2.3. Group B - age 16 to 18 years;
2.2.4. Group C - age 19 to 29 years.
2.2.5. Participants may choose to participate in the Competition in a group older than their age.
3. Procedure of submitting applications and payment
3.1. The participant applies for the Competition by filling in the digital Application Form on the Competitions’ website www.kuldigacello.com ;
3.2. Application is open November 16, 2026 - January 11, 2027. The number of participants is limited.
3.3. Applicants have to send following documents by e-mail to kuldigacello@gmail.com (in one e-mail):
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Copy of passport or birth certificate;
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One recent portrait photograph (JPG);
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Payment order for participation fee and accompanist fee, if needed;
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Music scores for a free choice composition, if you need an accompanist provided by the organizers
3.4. The participation fee for group “Hope” is 50 EUR, age group A - 100 EUR, age groups B and C - 120 EUR. There is no participation fee for the Citizens of Ukraine.
3.5. If necessary, the Competition organizers will provide the participant with an accompanist for piano accompaniment or a second cello for the performance of L. Boccherini's sonatas. The fee for the accompanist’s services (piano and cello baroque/classical sonatas of your choice) is 50.00 EUR, which includes one rehearsal and one performance in each round of the Competition.
3.6. The fee for participation and for the accompanist, if necessary, has to be paid by the application deadline January 11, 2027 - to:
Kuldigas novada pasvaldiba
Reg. number: 90000035590
Bank: AS SEB Banka
SWIFT (BIC) code: UNLALV2X
Account number: LV26 UNLA 0011001130401
With notice – Name Surname For International Karl Davidov Cello Competition
3.7. If the participant fails to appear, the participation an accompanist fee will not be reimbursed.
3.8. After receiving the necessary documents, the organizers send the confirmation and detailed information to the participants’ email address that is indicated in the application form.
3.9. When applying to the Competition, participant or his/her legal representative (if participant is under 18 years old at the moment of applying) allows processing of personal data that is necessary for selection, production and promotion of the Competition, and other legal activities of the Competition.
4.Reward fund
4.1. Reward fund comprises 10 000 EUR.
4.2. Winners of all age groups will receive Diplomas and prize-money.
4.3. The jury and the organizers of the competition decide the amount of the reward fund among the Prize Winners.
4.4. A prize from family of Prof. Leo Maijs – a former Kuldiga inhabitant - is presented for the best interpretation of J.S. Bach`s composition.
4.5. A special prize for the best interpretation of K. Davidov`s compositions is presented.
5. Jury of the competition
5.1. Participants’ performance will be judged by International Jury.
5.2. If participant’s performance does not meet the requirements of the competition, the jury has the right to stop the performance and not allow participating in further competition.
5.3. If misunderstandings regarding regulation occur, Latvian text is determinant.
5.4. The Jury evaluates the performance of competitors based on following criteria: artistic performance, technic, style, total impression.
5.5. Before the competition the Jury establishes the system of evaluation points, when necessary, the result gets established by voting for the final distribution of places. The Head of the Jury commission has two votes in a deciding case.
5.6. The decision of the Jury is indisputable.
5.7. The Jury members don’t evaluate the performance of their students.
5.8. The Jury decides on the program and participants of the Final concert.
6. Competition procedure
6.1. The competition consists of three rounds for group B and C, two rounds for group A, one round for group “Hope”.
6.2. Travelling, catering and hotel expenses are covered by the participant.
6.3. Participants draw lots to determine the performing sequence. The performing sequence is maintained throughout the competition.
6.4. In case of a large number of participants, the Jury has the right to listen to the compositions of the 1st round in incomplete version.
6.5. The entire program must be played from memory, except for the chamber music sonatas by L. van Beethoven, F. Schubert, J. Brahms, F. Chopin in the 2nd round of Group C. The results of the Competition are published after each round.
6.6. All rounds of the Competition are public and available to listeners.
6.7. Round 3 of the Competition is broadcast live on internet streaming platforms.
6.8. The Final concert together with Chamber orchestra Sinfonietta Rīga, conductor Normunds Šnē, will take place on March 13, 2027, in Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music.
6.9. The Final concert will be broadcasted on the national radio - LR3 Klasika.
6.10. The organizers of the competition hold the rights to record, film and take pictures of the competitions’ rounds and concerts and use the materials for marketing and other needs without rewarding the competitors.
For further information, please, contact:
Agnese Lapsiņa, agnese.lapsina@kuldiga.lv, kuldigacello@gmail.com ph. + 371 26198759