The winners of the 2026 ARD International Music Competition for cello have been officially announced. In a ceremony held in Brussels, Belgium, on September 10, 2026, several distinguished musicians were recognized for their exceptional performances in the prestigious competition.
Ettore Pagano emerged as the top laureate, securing both the premier award and the Queen Mathilde Prize. In addition to the distinction, Pagano was awarded €25,000 and a four-year loan of the 1733 Casals Gofriller. Other top laureates honored during the announcement include Tae-Yeon Kim, Leland Ko, Álvaro Lozano Cames, Yo Kitamura, and Maria Zaitseva, who received ranked prizes and various cash awards.
The prize distribution for the 2026 cello category included awards of €20,000, €17,000, €12,500, €10,000, and €8,000 among the recognized winners. The competition continues to serve as a significant platform for identifying and supporting the next generation of world-class cellists.
The announcement marks the conclusion of this year's cello segment of the ARD International Music Competition, celebrating the technical mastery and artistry demonstrated by the selected winners in Brussels.