Rules & Apply
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Rules & Apply

The ISANGYUN Competition is open to violinists of all nationalities, born between November 1, 1995, and October 31, 2010. Applicants must complete and submit the online application form, along with all required documents, via the "Apply Now" link at the top of the page by the application deadline, July 31, 2025.

  • Online application form
    Required info: personal information, education, teachers, prizes, and repertoire of each round
  • A recommendation letter (any format is accepted)
    The letter should be in English or Korean or should include English or Korean translations.
  • A scan of the applicant's passport
  • A photograph of the applicant in JPG or TIFF format (no less than 1MB)
  • High-quality video recordings with the repertoire of the Preliminary Round
    All works must be recorded with no audio or visual editing.
    Tutti cuts are acceptable in all works.
    The date and place of each recording must be written on the application form.
    Each required piece should be on a single track, and recordings must have been produced after May 1, 2024.
    The repertoire for the Preliminary Round is as follows (Duration: 25-30 minutes):
    a) One work of the following pieces at free choice:
    - J. Haydn : Cello Concerto No. 1 in C major Hob. VIIb:1, 1st movement including cadenza
    - J. Haydn : Cello Concerto No. 2 in D major Hob. VIIb:2, 1st movement including cadenza
    - L. Boccherini : Cello Concerto No. 9 in B-flat major, G. 482, 1st movement including cadenza
    b) Work(s) of the applicant’s choice (within the time limit above, not all movements are mandatory)

Contact Information

  • Tel : +82-55-650-0400
  • E-mail : competition@timf.org | Website : www.isangyuncompetition.org

Official Repertoire

All repertoire must be performed from memory, except Sonatas for Cello and Piano, and works composed after 1950. The work presented in the Preliminary Round cannot be performed in First, Second and Final Round. Time limits will be strictly enforced.

01
PRELIMINARY ROUND (25-30 minutes, video selection)
Applicants must submit the video recordings of a) and b):
  • a) One work of the following pieces at free choice:

    - J. Haydn : Cello Concerto No. 1 in C major Hob. VIIb:1, 1st movement including cadenza

    - J. Haydn : Cello Concerto No. 2 in D major Hob. VIIb:2, 1st movement including cadenza

    - L. Boccherini : Cello Concerto No. 9 in B-flat major, G. 482, 1st movement including cadenza

  • b) Work(s) of the applicant’s choice (within the time limit above, not all movements are mandatory)
02
FIRST ROUND (Solo)
Each candidate will be required to perform a), b), and c):
  • a) Prelude and Sarabande from one of the following Suites for Solo Cello:

    - J. S. Bach : No. 3 BWV 1009, No. 4 BWV 1010, No. 5 BWV 1011 or No. 6 BWV 1012

  • b) One of the following solo works:

    - Z. Kodály : The 3rd movement of Sonata for Solo Cello, Op. 8 (1915)

    - P. Hindemith : Sonata for Solo Cello, Op. 25 No. 3 (1923)

    - G. Ligeti : Sonata for Solo Cello (1948/53)

    - B. Britten : The 7th, 8th and 9th movements of Suite for Solo Cello No. 1, Op. 72 (1964)

    - I. Xenakis : Kottos for Solo Cello (1977)

    - H. Dutilleux : Trois Strophes sur le Nom de Sacher for Solo Cello (1976/82)

    - K. Penderecki : Divertimento for Solo Cello (1994)

    - G. Cassadó : Suite for Solo Cello (1926)

  • c) Isang Yun : Glissées for Solo Cello (1970)
03
SECOND ROUND (45-50 minutes, with Piano)
Each candidate will be required to perform a), b), and c) with piano accompaniment:
  • a) Isang Yun : Espace I (1992)
  • b) One of the following sonatas, complete:

    - L. v. Beethoven : Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 4 in C major, Op. 102 No. 1

    - L. v. Beethoven : Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 5 in D major, Op. 102 No. 2

    - J. Brahms : Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 1 in E minor, Op. 38

    - J. Brahms : Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 2 in F major, Op. 99

  • c) All or part of one of the following works, depending on duration:

    - F. Schubert : Sonata for Arpeggione and Piano in A minor, D. 821

    - R. Schumann : Adagio and Allegro for Cello and Piano in A-flat major, Op. 70

    - R. Schumann : Fünf Stücke im Volkston for Cello and Piano, Op. 102

    - C. Debussy : Sonata for Cello and Piano in D minor, L. 135 (1915)

    - D. Shostakovich : Sonata for Cello and Piano in D minor, Op. 40 (1934)

    - S. Prokofiev : Sonata for Cello and Piano in C major, Op. 119 (1949)

04
FINAL ROUND
Each finalist shall perform one concerto with orchestra to be chosen from the following:
  • Isang Yun : Concerto for Cello and Orchestra (1976)
  • R. Schumann : Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129
  • A. Dvořák : Cello Concerto No. 2 in B minor, Op. 104
  • E. Elgar : Cello Concerto in E minor Op. 85
  • P. I. Tchaikovsky : Variations on a Rococo Theme in A major, Op. 33
  • D. Shostakovich : Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, Op. 107
SCHEDULE GUIDE

  • Application Deadline

    July 31

  • Notification of Acceptance

    August 29

  • Registration & Drawing of lots

    November 1

  • First Round

    November 2-3

  • Second Round

    November 5-6

  • Final Round &
    Awards ceremony

    November 8

  • Winners’ Concert
    (Gwangju Arts Center)

    November 9