The winner of the 76th Prague Spring International Music Competition in the violoncello category is Yuya Mizuno from Japan
The winner of the 76th Prague Spring International Music Competition in the violoncello category is Yuya Mizuno, 27 years old, from Japan. Second place went to Till Schuler from Germany. Third place went to Alexandra Kahrer from Austria. “I am so grateful for this result and also for the opportunity to play Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in the Dvořák Hall, in this historic and really beautiful place. And additionally, I received a first price, which really surprised me, and I was truly very happy to hear that. The ten days in Prague were truly incredible; everyone here is very kind. I am truly grateful for all the support I have received here, and I will do my best to give my all in the future,” said winner Yuya Mizuno.
Overview of awards
1st Prize: Yuya Mizuno
2nd Prize: Till Schuler
3rd Prize: Alexandra Kahrer
Honourable Mentions of the Jury awarded after Round II
- Seungyeon Baik
- Constantin Heise
- Sanghyeok Park
Audience Prize: Alexandra Kahrer
Bohuslav Martinů Foundation Prize: Tae-Yeon Kim
Czech Music Fund Foundation Prize for the best performance of the Sonata No. 5 „Frammenti e Canto“ by Pavel Zemek Novák: Alexandra Kahrer
Viktor Kalabis and Zuzana Růžičková Prize: Yuya Mizuno
Prize of the City of Prague: Yuya Mizuno
Bärenreiter Prize: Yuya Mizuno
Performance at the Festival EuroArt Praha during the 2025–2026 season: Till Schuler
Performance at the 81st Prague Spring International Music Festival in 2026: Yuya Mizuno
Let us remind you that a record number of 203 cellists registered for this year’s Prague Spring Competition. “I think I speak on behalf of all my dear colleagues, we have spent fantastic ten days listening to extremely high standard of playing, of commitment, of passion, and of love of music and of our wonderful instrument, the cello. For everybody who has been lucky enough to play tonight, it is a prize enough just to play Dvořák in this great and historic space where Dvořák himself would listen to music,” said jury chairman Raphael Wallfisch.
The performances of the three finalists during the final evening, which took place on May 14 in the Dvořák Hall of the Rudolfinum, accompanied by the Prague Symphony Orchestra and conductor Marek Prášil, can be viewed on the YouTube channel of the Prague Spring. The winner was chosen by a jury consisting of Raphael Wallfisch (UK, jury chair), Maria Kliegel (Germany), Marc Coppey (France), Natalie Clein (UK), Michal Kaňka (Czech Republic), Tomáš Jamník (Czech Republic) and Ľudovít Kanta (Slovakia).
The partners of the competition were: Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, the Capital City of Prague, and the ČEZ Foundation.
