Group A
The selected candidates will need to prepare a programme not exceeding 6‒10 minutes and including two contrasting works of the competitor’s own choice.

Group B
The selected candidates will need to prepare a programme not exceeding 10‒15 minutes and including two contrasting works of the competitor’s own choice, one of which should be from the Baroque or Classical periods.

Group C
Round I

  • One study of free choice from David Popper’s High school of cello playing, Op. 73;
  • Sarabande and Gigue from one of Johann Sebastian Bach’s suites for solo cello, BWV 1007‒1012;
  • COMPULSORY PIECE: Balys Dvarionas, Introduction and rondino (1963); 
  • A virtuoso piece of free choice (duration 5–7 min).

Round II
One of the listed concerto works:

  • Antonín Dvořák, Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104, B. 191, mvt. I;
  • Édouard Lalo, Cello Concerto in D minor, mvt. I;
  • Camille Saint-Saëns, Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 33;
  • Piotr Tchaikovsky, Variations on a Roccoco Theme, Op. 33.

Group D
Round I

  • One caprice of free choice from Carlo Alfredo Piatti’s 12 caprices for Solo Cello, Op. 25;
  • Prelude, Sarabande and Gigue from one of Johann Sebastian Bach’s suites for solo cello, BWV 1007‒1012;
  • COMPULSORY PIECE: Arvydas Malcys, Narcissus for solo cello (special version for the 2nd Klaipėda International Cello Competition).

Round II
Six competitors will be chosen to reach the semi-final stage of the competition. The Jury can decide to choose seven competitors as an exception.

  • One of the following sonatas for cello and piano:
  • Ludwig van Beethoven, Sonata in D major, Op. 102 No. 2;
  • Johannes Brahms, Sonata in F major, Op. 99;
  • Franz Schubert, Arpeggione Sonata in A minor, D 821;
  • Dmitry Shostakovich, Sonata in D minor, Op. 40;
  • Sergei Prokofieff, Sonata, Op. 119.
  • COMPULSORY PIECE: Vladas Jakubėnas, Serenade for cello and piano (1936); 
  • One work of free choice (duration 8–10 min).

Round III
Three cellists will be chosen to participate in the finals. The Jury can decode to choose four competitors as an exception.

Finalists appear in a public concert with the Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra under the baton of Martynas Staškus. One of the following cello concertos:

  • Edward Elgar, Concerto for cello and orchestra in E minor, Op. 85 (arr. by Friedrich Thomas for cello and chamber orchestra);
  • Robert Schumann, Concerto for cello and orchestra in A minor, Op. 129 (arr. byArthur H. Lilienthal for cello and chamber orchestra).