Liszt Academy students triumph at 6th Dávid Popper International Cello Competition

Two of my students, Eszter Karasszon and Mátyás Hotzi, shared first prize in age group 4. Under the rules of the competition, I was not permitted to judge my own students, thus I was able to listen to them as an outsider observer. I was extremely proud of them because both were hugely successful.

Behind their wins lies a mountain of work. I have worked with Eszter Karasszon for five years and Mátyás Hotzi for two years, but in the last three months we focused exclusively on the competition; the result is also due to their perseverance and determination. I would like to highlight the remarkable Bach recital given by Eszter Karassyon, as well as the convincing performance of the Shostakovich concerto that completely captivated the jury. Mátyás Hotzi played Fauré’s Papillon, which technically speaking is one of the most difficult pieces in the cello repertoire, with incredible elegance, lightness and professionalism, and Lalo’s violoncello concerto with such overwhelming force that he won over the entire jury. Naturally, both also played faultlessly and with perfect balance in the two rounds. Hagiwara Riku’s great playing was also deemed worthy of getting through to the second round, achieving this as a first year student having studied at the academy for just two months.

The competition organized in Várpalota is unique in all respects and has won itself an international name over the past 15 years. This is indicated by the global spread of the entries, the extremely high instrumental standard, a high degree of sensitivity towards Popper works, and the remarkable artistic standard that characterized the entire competition.  

Interpretations of Dávid Popper’s works provided the foundation for the atmosphere of the entire competition. Playing the works of Popper is something that lies close to the hearts of all cellists; this is why it was a great experience to hear the different performance styles and to sense the diversity of the schools of cello. 

The seven-member jury included Hungarian, American, German, Polish and Brazilian cellists and professors:

• Susan Moses: professor of Bloomington IU university
• Zdzislaw Lapinsky: rector and professor of Cracow university
• Matias de Oliveira Pinto: professor of Münster university
• Fabio Pregrave: professor of Brazil’s Federeal university
• Györgyi Horváth: cello teacher
• György Déri: associate professor of the Liszt Academy

Once again, this year the jury faced tough decisions because we ended up judging so many gifted artists. Several prizes were shared, an indication that this was not only a competition but a cello festival where right from the first round every participant had the opportunity of performing on the podium, in front of an audience.

I am disappointed that this year only a few worthy, capable and successful young talented artists from the Liszt Academy and music schools, who could have represented the ‘cradle’ of the Popper School, took part in the competition. I trust that at the 7th Dávid Popper International Cello Competition in two years’ time more students will be willing to test themselves in the international arena and polish the reputation of the Liszt Academy.

Congratulations to my students Eszter Karasszon MA/III. and Mátyás Hotyi BA/II. for their shared first place.

Csaba Onczay
university professor
jury chair of the Popper International Cello Competition