The new edition of the Pablo Casals International Award for Young Cellists 2026 is here, the international benchmark competition aimed at young cello talents from all over the world.
Inspired by the technical, artistic, and human excellence of Pablo Casals, this competition, with over 40 years of history, is presented as a platform for international projection that allows young cellists to showcase their talent and commitment to music, as well as to develop their artistic and musical careers. In addition, it offers a meeting space with a jury of recognized international prestige and musicians of a high artistic and technical level.
Throughout its history, more than 50 young cellists have been beneficiaries of the Award. Among them are prominent figures such as Pablo Ferrández, Arnau Tomàs, Pau Codina, Mariona Camats, Carla Conangla, Johannes Gray, Xuanhan Xu, Luka Coetzee, Yo Kitamura, and Arne Zeller.
The Award includes financial endowments divided into three prizes:
- First Prize: €18,000
- Special Aena Prize: €12,000
- Third Prize: €6,000
In addition, the winners will have the opportunity to participate in various concerts organized by the Pablo Casals Foundation during the two years following the award, as well as to receive the support of one of the entities that preserves and protects the legacy and values of one of the greatest cello references.
The registration period will remain open until May 7, 2026 at 23:59 (CET). If you want to broaden your horizons as a musician and boost your artistic career, apply for the Pablo Casals International Award.
The 2026 edition of the Award is part of the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Pablo Casals.