OUR HISTORY
More than Two Decades Dedicated to Young Talents
The David Popper International Cello Competition was founded in 2000 by two dedicated visionaries: Gabriella Szili is a cello teacher, director of the Allegro Art School and the competition, and Csaba Onczay, internationally renowned cello artist and professor, the permanent president of the jury. Their core mission was to establish a prestigious international platform for the younger generation (aged 10 to 23) to showcase their artistic preparation, talent, and dedication at an international level.
Since its inaugural edition, the competition has grown into one of the world's most highly regarded youth music events. In 2013, the Municipality of Várpalota officially embraced the initiative, becoming its main sponsor and ensuring a stable, majestic background for the event alongside the local Music School and Thury Castle.
The global prestige of the competition is reflected in its vast geographical reach. Over the years, cellists have arrived in Várpalota not only from across Europe but also from distant corners of the world, including the USA, South Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, Chile, and Brazil. We are deeply honored that contestants and their professors carry our reputation to all corners of the globe, with many returning multiple times to compete in higher age categories.
OUR NAMESAKE: DAVID POPPER
Why David Popper?
The competition proudly bears the name of one of the greatest cellists and composers in music history, David Popper (1843–1913). Hailed by contemporary critics as the "King of the Cello," this extraordinary virtuoso was not only an ambassador of musical elegance but also a foundational figure in Hungarian musical life. As a professor at the Budapest Academy of Music, he established the pillars of his world-renowned cello pedagogy.
To this day, his compositions remain essential pedagogical and artistic pillars of cello playing; his works, character pieces, and concertos are taught worldwide and remain jewels of the international concert repertoire. By establishing this competition, our mission is to preserve and pass on his noble, virtuous spirit and musical traditions to the next generation of artists.
István Várdai (Hungary)
The only three-time 1st prize winner in the history of the Popper Competition. Following his successes in Várpalota, he won 3rd prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 2007 and 1st prize at the prestigious ARD Music Competition in Munich in 2014. Today, he is a world-renowned soloist.
FROM VÁRPALOTA TO THE WORLD STAGE
Our Pride and Legacy
The true prestige of the Popper Competition is reflected in the extraordinary careers of our alumni. The past two decades have proven that our stage serves as a launching pad to the world's most celebrated concert halls:
Yosuke Shimizu (Japan)
A remarkable two-time 1st prize winner in Várpalota (2013 and 2021), he continued his international triumph by winning 1st prize at the International Cello Competition in Bratislava.
Andrei Ioniță (Romania)
Awarded 1st prize in Várpalota in 2009, he went on to achieve one of the highest honors in the musical world, winning the Gold Medal at the International Tchaikovsky Cello Competition in Moscow in 2015.
Álvaro Lozano Cames (Spain)
After winning 3rd prize in his category at Várpalota in 2021, he achieved a monumental international breakthrough by securing 4th prize at the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Competition.
THE VENUE
Thury Castle: Where History and Music Meet
Situated in the heart of Várpalota, the majestic, 600-year-old Thury Castle is far more than just a venue—it is the very soul of the competition. The historic walls of this medieval fortress provide an inspiring, majestic, and deeply encouraging atmosphere that elevates the young performers during their artistic journey.
The castle's historic concert halls and its acoustically exceptional inner courtyard offer a unique and unforgettable visual and acoustic experience for both the international jury and the audience. In Thury Castle, the traditions of the past and the music of the future intertwine, transforming the competition into a lifelong, inspirational milestone for every participant.
