German Tcakulov
Viola Jury 2025
Biography
Born in Vladikavkaz, Russia, German Tcakulov studied viola in Saint Petersburg with Vladimir Stopichev before continuing his training in Berlin under Tabea Zimmermann. From 2017 to 2022, he served as her assistant at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin. In 2021, he was appointed to lead his own viola class at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich and from 2018 to 2022, he was a member of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. In 2022, he was appointed professor of viola at the Hochschule für Musik in Karlsruhe, and in October 2024, he joined the faculty at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg.
August 2025 - Full biography on germantcakulov.com/
Events

PROGRAMME
-
Compulsory concerto:
L. Albisetti: “Nouvel Élan” (1st Prize of the 2024 Composition Competition)
- One concerto at choice from the following list:
- K. Penderecki: Viola concerto
- S. Beamish: Viola concerto N°2 “The Seafarer”
- B. Bartók: Viola concerto (Bartok/Dellamaggiore)
- P. Hindemith: Viola concerto “Der Schwanendreher”
With the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, conducted by Cornelius Meister
Followed by the Prize-giving Ceremony
NB: The Final Round is structured as a concert in two parts. In the first part, all three finalists will perform the compulsory concerto. After an intermission, each finalist will perform their chosen concerto.

SESSION 1 – SATURDAY, 08 NOVEMBER, 16:00
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)
Divertimento, KV 563
Allegro, Adagio, Menuetto: Allegretto
Lena Neudaeuer, violin
Christian Poltéra, cello
Luciano Berio (1925–2003)
Naturale, for viola, percussion, and electronics
Marianna Bednarska, percussion
Till Lingenberg, percussion
David Poissonnier, electronics
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)
Divertimento, KV 563
Allegro, Adagio, Menuetto: Allegretto
Lena Neudaeuer, violin
Christian Poltéra, cello
Luciano Berio (1925–2003)
Naturale, for viola, percussion, and electronics
Marianna Bednarska, percussion
Till Lingenberg, percussion
David Poissonnier, electronics
SESSION 2 – SATURDAY, 08 NOVEMBER, 19:00
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)
Divertimento, KV 563
Allegro, Adagio, Menuetto: Allegretto
Lena Neudaeuer, violin
Christian Poltéra, cello
Luciano Berio (1925–2003)
Naturale, for viola, percussion, and electronics
Marianna Bednarska, percussion
Till Lingenberg, percussion
David Poissonnier, electronics
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)
Divertimento, KV 563
Allegro, Adagio, Menuetto: Allegretto
Lena Neudaeuer, violin
Christian Poltéra, cello
Luciano Berio (1925–2003)
Naturale, for viola, percussion, and electronics
Marianna Bednarska, percussion
Till Lingenberg, percussion
David Poissonnier, electronics
SESSION 3 – SUNDAY, 09 NOVEMBER, 16:00
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)
Divertimento, KV 563
Allegro, Adagio, Menuetto: Allegretto
Corina Belcea, violin
Lionel Cottet, cello
Luciano Berio (1925–2003)
Naturale, for viola, percussion, and electronics
Marianna Bednarska, percussion
Till Lingenberg, percussion
David Poissonnier, electronics
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)
Divertimento, KV 563
Allegro, Adagio, Menuetto: Allegretto
Corina Belcea, violin
Lionel Cottet, cello
Luciano Berio (1925–2003)
Naturale, for viola, percussion, and electronics
Marianna Bednarska, percussion
Till Lingenberg, percussion
David Poissonnier, electronics
SESSION 4 – SUNDAY, 09 NOVEMBER, 19:00
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)
Divertimento, KV 563
Allegro, Adagio, Menuetto: Allegretto
Corina Belcea, violin
Lionel Cottet, cello
Luciano Berio (1925–2003)
Naturale, for viola, percussion, and electronics
Marianna Bednarska, percussion
Till Lingenberg, percussion
David Poissonnier, electronics
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)
Divertimento, KV 563
Allegro, Adagio, Menuetto: Allegretto
Corina Belcea, violin
Lionel Cottet, cello
Luciano Berio (1925–2003)
Naturale, for viola, percussion, and electronics
Marianna Bednarska, percussion
Till Lingenberg, percussion
David Poissonnier, electronics
GUEST ARTISTS
Mozart Divertimento
Corina Belcea, violin
Lionel Cottet, cello
Lena Neudaeuer, violin
Christian Poltéra, cello
Berio Naturale
Marianna Bednarska, percussion
Till Lingenberg, percussion
David Poissonnier, electronics
——
Open to the public
Sessions at 16:00 & 19:00

As part of the Semi-Finals, candidates are invited to submit a project that highlights their artistic personality. This project may take a variety of forms, including a purely musical proposal, a tour concept, or even a collaboration with other art forms such as literature, the visual arts, or dance.
The objective of this assignment is to provide the Jury and the public with a deeper understanding of the candidates’ artistic vision and the motivations that drive them in their musical journey. The project must be both engaging and realistic, and be suitable for a festival, concert season, theatre or tour.
Candidates have one month to prepare and develop their artistic project from the announcement of the semifinalists to the start of the competition in Geneva. Two individual online work sessions are organised with the Competition’s coaches: Eugénie Guibert and Andreas Vierziger. The purpose of these individual sessions is to answer candidates’ questions and guide them in the development of their proposal. Subsequently, candidates must submit a presentation of their project in the form of a text, PowerPoint presentation, video or any other medium.
Upon arrival in Geneva, each candidate is required to defend their project during a public interview, conducted by journalist Charlotte Gardner. The Jury will then assess each project based on its artistic interest, originality and relevance to the artist's early career.
Open to the public (free entry)
——
Conservatoire de Genève
Place de Neuve 5
1204 Genève

SESSION 1 – THURSDAY 06 NOVEMBER, 16:00
Edvard Grieg (1843–1907) (arr. T. Riebl)
Violin Sonata No. 3 in C minor, Op. 45
1. Allegro molto ed appassionato
2. Allegretto espressivo alla Romanza
3. Allegro animato
Grażyna Bacewicz (1909–1969) (arr. S. Kamasa)
4 Caprices for Viola solo
Franz Schubert (1797–1828) (arr. B. Isaacs)
Fantasy in C major, D. 934
1. Andante molto
2. Allegretto
3. Andantino
4. Allegro vivace
5. Allegretto
6. Presto
Pianist: Andrei Banciu
Paul Hindemith (1895–1963)
Sonata for solo Viola, Op. 25 No. 4
1. Sehr lebhaft. Markiert und kraftvoll
Thomas Tallis (1505–1585) (arr. K. Wojdalska)
Hear the Voice and Prayer
Rebecca Clarke (1886–1979)
Passacaglia on an Old English Tune
Grave, ma non troppo lento
Béla Bartók (1881–1945) (arr. K. Kashkashian)
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56
1. Joc cu bâtă. Allegro moderato
2. Brâul. Allegro
3. Pe loc. Andante
Grażyna Bacewicz (1909–1969) (arr. S. Kamasa)
Sonata for solo Viola, No. 2
Adagio, Allegro, Presto
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
Violin Partita No. 2, BWV 1004
Sarabande
Paul Hindemith (1895–1963)
Sonata for solo Viola, Op. 25 No. 4
2. Sehr langsame Viertel
Johann Paul von Westhoff (1656–1705) (arr. K. Wojdalska)
Violin Sonata No. 3
Imitazione delle Campane
Grażyna Bacewicz (1909–1969) (arr. K. Wojdalska)
Polish Capriccio
Béla Bartók (1881–1945) (arr. Z. Székely)
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56
4. Buciumeana. Molto moderato
5. Poarga românească. Allegro
6. Mărunțel. Allegro
Nicola Matteis (c.1650–1714) (arr. K. Wojdalska)
Ayres for Violin
Passagio rotto, Adamento veloce
Paul Hindemith (1895–1963)
Sonata for solo Viola, Op. 25 No. 4
3. Finale. Lebhafte Viertel
Pianist: Sofya Pisetsky
SESSION 2 – THURSDAY 06 NOVEMBER, 19:00
Rebecca Clarke (1886–1979)
Morpheus
Ondřej Štochl (b. 1975)
Il sogno fragile
Paul Hindemith (1895–1963)
Sonata for solo Viola, Op. 11 No. 5
4. Passacaglia (In Form und Zeitmass einer Passacaglia)
Franz Schubert (1797–1828)
“Arpeggione” Sonata, D. 821
1. Allegro moderato
2. Adagio
3. Allegretto
Pianist: Andrei Banciu
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
Violin Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004 (transcr. in G minor)
Chaconne
Igor Stravinsky (1882–1971)
Elégie for solo viola, K072
Georges Enescu (1881–1955)
Concert Piece for Viola and Piano
Paul Hindemith (1895–1963)
Sonata for Viola and Piano (1939)
1. Breit. Mit Kraft
2. Sehr lebhaft
3. Phantasie. Sehr langsam, frei
4. Finale (mit zwei Variationen). Leicht bewegt
Pianist: Thomas Hoppe
SESSION 3 – FRIDAY, 07 NOVEMBER, 16:00
Alexandre Glazunov (1865–1936)
Elegy for Viola and Piano, Op. 44
Igor Stravinsky (1882–1971)
Elegy for solo Viola, K072
Dmitri Shostakovich (1906–1975)
Viola Sonata in C Major, Op. 147
1. Moderato
2. Allegretto
3. Adagio
Pianist: Andrei Banciu
Georges Enesco (1881–1955)
Concert Piece for Viola and Piano
Věra Gaigerová (1903–1952)
Suite for Viola and Piano, Op. 8
1. Allegro agitato
2. Andantino
3. Scherzo. Presto
4. Moderato
Henri Vieuxtemps (1820–1881)
Capriccio in C minor for solo Viola, Op. posth.
Lento, con molta espressione
Paul Hindemith (1895–1963)
Sonata for Viola and Piano (1939)
1. Breit. Mit Kraft
2. Sehr lebhaft
3. Phantasie. Sehr langsam, frei
4. Finale (mit zwei Variationen). Leicht bewegt
Pianist: Thomas Hoppe
SESSION 4 – FRIDAY, 07 NOVEMBER, 19:00
Johannes Brahms (1833–1897)
Sonata in F minor, Op. 120, No. 1
1. Allegro appassionato
2. Andante un poco adagio
3. Allegretto grazioso
4. Vivace
Benjamin Britten (1913–1976)
Lachrymae, Op. 48a (Reflections on a song of Dowland)
György Kurtág (b. 1926)
Signs, Games, and Messages
Zerren-reissen, Flapping Slapping
...eine Blume für Tabea...
Perpetuum Mobile
Paul Hindemith (1895–1963)
Viola Sonata, Op. 11 No. 4
1. Fantasie
2. Thema mit Variationen
3. Finale (mit Vatiationen)
Pianist: Iren Seleljo
Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904)
In Folk Tone, Op. 73, N°1
Dobrú noc, má milá
Garth Knox (b. 1956)
Viola Spaces
8. Bow Directions “Up, Down, Sideways, Round”
Henri Vieuxtemps (1820–1881)
Viola Sonata in B-flat Major, Op. 36
1. Maestoso
2. Barcarolla (Andante con moto)
3. Finale scherzando (Allegretto)
Paul Hindemith (1895–1963)
Sonata for solo Viola, Op. 25 No. 1
1. Breit Viertel
2. Sehr frisch und straff (Viertel)
3. Sehr langsam
4. Rasendes Zeitmaß. Wild. Tonschönheit ist Nebensache
5. Langsam, mit viel Ausdruck
Astor Piazzolla (1921–1992) (arr. Brett L. Allen)
Le Grand Tango
Pianist: Andrei Banciu
PROGRAMME
The eight semi-finalists must perform a 50-60 minute recital at free choice
- Repertoire may include works for solo viola and/or for viola and piano.
- Works already performed in the Online Recital may not be repeated.
NB: Candidates are encouraged to choose a varied, cohesive programme that highlights their musical personality and interpretative skills. They will need to provide a programme note (due after the preselection stage).
Open to the public
Sessions at 4PM & 7PM
——
Salle Franz Liszt, Conservatoire de Genève
Place de Neuve 5
1204 Genève

SESSION 1 - MONDAY 8 SEPTEMBER, 10:00 AM GMT+2
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – II. Adagio cantabile, III. Rondo con moto
- D. Fujikura : Engraving
- R. Schumann: Fantasiestücke, Op. 73
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – II. Adagio cantabile, III. Rondo con moto
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- U. Mamlock: From my garden
- G. Knox: Three Weddings and a Fight
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
SESSION 2 - MONDAY 8 SEPTEMBER, 2:00 PM GMT+2
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Hora lungǎ, Loop
- R. Schumann: Fantasiestücke, Op. 73
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Hora lungǎ, Loop
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- E. Carter: Figment IV
- H. Sitt: Albumblätter Op. 39
- G. Kurtág: Signs, games and messages – Hommage a John Cage, György Kroó in memoriam, For Imre Földes at 60
SESSION 3 - TUESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER, 10:00 AM GMT+2
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- E. Carter: Figment IV
- C. Schumann: 3 Romances, Op. 22
- U. Mamlock: From my garden
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- G. Knox: Three Weddings and a Fight
Eric Seohyun Moon, 28 years old
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- C. Schumann: 3 Romances, Op. 22
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Hora lungǎ, Loop
- T. Murail: C’est un Jardin secret
SESSION 4 - TUESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER, 2:00 PM GMT+2
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flt Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – II. Adagio cantabile, III. Rondo con moto
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Facsar
- C. Schumann: 3 Romances, Op. 22
- G. Kurtág: Signs, games and messages - In Nomine - all’ongherese
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Hora lungǎ, Facsar
- R. Schumann: Fantasiestücke, Op. 73
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- D. Fujikura: Engraving
SESSION 5 - WEDNESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER, 10:00 AM GMT+2
Jason Sheng-Chieh Lan, 27 years old
- C. Schumann: 3 Romances, Op. 22
- U. Mamlock: From my garden
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – II. Adagio cantabile, III. Rondo con moto
Kiarra Saito-Beckman, 26 years old
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- G. Knox: Three Weddings and a Fight
- C. Schumann: 3 Romances, Op. 22
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Hora lungǎ, Prestissimo con sordino
SESSION 6 - WEDNESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER, 2:00 PM GMT+2
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Loop, Facsar
- R. Schumann: 3 Romances, Op. 94
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- L. Berio: Sequenza VI
Wassili Wohlgemuth, 24 years old
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- G. Kurtág: Signs, games and messages – Doloroso-Garzulyeknak , Kromatikus feleselos, Perpetuum mobile
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Chaconne chromatique
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
SESSION 7 - THURSDAY 11 SEPTEMBER, 10:00 AM GMT+2
Nicolas Garrigues, 26 years old
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Hora lungǎ, Chaconne chromatique
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- G. Knox: Three Weddings and a Fight
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- G. Knox: Three Weddings and a Fight
SESSION 8 - THURSDAY 11 SEPTEMBER, 2:00 PM GMT+2
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Loop, Lamento
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
Jaume Angelès Fité, 29 years old
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- G. Knox: Three Weddings and a Fight
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- M. Jarrell: Some leaves II…
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
SESSION 9 - FRIDAY 12 SEPTEMBER, 10:00 AM GMT+2
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- G. Knox: Three Weddings and a Fight
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Hora lungă, Loop
- C. Schumann: 3 Romances, Op. 22
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – II. Adagio cantabile, III. Rondo con moto
- A. Arad: Tikvah for solo Viola
SESSION 10 - FRIDAY 12 SEPTEMBER, 2:00 PM GMT+2
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Hora lungǎ
- G. Kurtág: Signs, games and messages – Jelek I, In memoriam Blum Tamás, Carenza Jig
- R. Schumann: Fantasiestücke, Op. 73
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- G. Kurtág: Signs, games and messages – The Carenza Jig, In memoriam Tamás Blum, Virág - Zsigmondy Dénesnek
- E. Carter: Figment IV
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- A. Arad: Tikvah for solo Viola
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
SESSION 11 - SATURDAY 13 SEPTEMBER, 2:00 PM GMT+2
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – II. Adagio cantabile, III. Rondo con moto
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Prestissimo con sordino, Lamento
- G. Kurtág: Signs, games and messages – The Carenza Jig, Panaszos nóta
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
Ami-Louise Johnsson, 24 years old
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Hora lungǎ, Chaconne chromatique
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – I. Allegro moderato
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Hora lungǎ, Chaconne chromatique
- H. Sitt: Albumblätter Op. 39
SESSION 12 - SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER, 2:00 PM GMT+2
- R. Schumann: Märchenbilder, Op. 113
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – II. Adagio cantabile, III. Rondo con moto
- G. Kurtág: Signs, games and messages – In Nomine - all’ongherese, Vagdalkozos
- G. Knox: Three Weddings and a Fight
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – II. Adagio cantabile, III. Rondo con moto
- H. Sitt: Albumblätter, Op. 39
Cassandra Teissedre, 23 years old
- G. Ligeti: Sonata for solo Viola – Lamento, Chaconne chromatique
- R. Schumann: Fantasiestücke, Op. 73
- J. N. Hummel: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 5 No. 3 – II. Adagio cantabile, III. Rondo con moto