First semi-final day – afternoon
Maria Zaitseva(b.2001 – Russian Federation)
program
Leopold Hofmann (1738 – 1793) – Concerto in D Badley D3
Royal Chamber Orchestra of Wallonia, dir. Vahan Mardirossian
She brings a highly professional approach and plays with genuine enjoyment. During the concert, she maintained contact with the orchestra members and conductor, constantly looking toward him. Good chromatic balance, but lacking clarity in demanding passages. There's a sense of tension, as if she pushed beyond her limits during preparation, and the instrument seems to dominate the artist rather than the other way around. The cello's tone could have been fuller—something already noted in the first round, where she tended to rush and used too little vibrato in the Boccherini piece, where she also lacked clarity in the Lullaby.
Isaac Lottman (b.2003 – Netherlands)
program
Anton Kraft (1749-1820) – Concerto in C Op. 4
Royal Chamber Orchestra of Wallonia, dir.Vahan Mardirossian
Lottman is a student of Pieter Wispelwey. He impresses with his charisma and the bearing of someone receiving inspiration. He demonstrates good bow control and generally rich tone, though lacking some clarity at the very beginning and in fast passages. He shows artistic freedom and the ability to recover, reorient himself, bounce back after navigating complex passages, and find his way back to composure and clarity.
Anna Meipariani(b.2007 – Georgia)
program
Harold Noben (b.1978) – Caffeine
Sergey Prokofiev (1891-1953) – Sonata in C op. 119
Ilonka Heilingloh, piano accompanist
With joy, focus, and passion, she forms a unified whole with the cello. She impresses with her sensitivity, sonorous tone, and fantastic stage presence. She radiates confidence and plays with knowledge and inspiration. She and the cello seem to inspire each other to give their very best. Balance, calmness, fluidity in all techniques, excellent control over bow movements.
Álvaro Lozano Cames (©2006 – Spain)
program
Harold Noben (b.1978) – Caffeine
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) – Sonata in C op. 65
Karl Davidov (1838-1889) – Evening Twilight op. 20/4
Karl Davidov – By the Fountain op. 20/2
Naoko Sonoda, piano accompanist
He is appreciated for his versatile skills, his convincing intonation, and his excellent sense of rhythm, which is especially evident in the extensive pizzicato passages. He commands all techniques with ease: staccato, finger shifts, pizzicato, and combined techniques; he knows how to vary the intensity subtly: crescendo, diminuendo… In Davidov's Evening Twilight, he created an enchanting atmosphere. He demonstrates outstanding craftsmanship in exploring the sonic possibilities of the cello.
