International Paulo Cello Competition

The Paulo Cello Competition is an international high level competition, open to cellists of all nationalities aged 16–33. The repertoire of the competition has always been exciting and demanding including music of our time as well as the earlier masterpieces of cello music. The competition, founded on the initiative of The Paulo Foundation and Professor Arto Noras, is one of the most important international cello competitions of today.

In 1991 it was decided to honour the 25th anniversary of The Paulo Foundation by holding an international cello competition bearing the Paulo family name. That year marked the centenary of the birth of restaurateur and businessman Reko Paulo. The Paulo Foundation is based upon the last will and testament of his wife, Hulda, and their daughter Marja. The Foundation annually furthers and finances medical research work, promotes business research and training and sponsors and develops the visual arts and music.

The previous winners of the International Paulo Cello Competition are Xavier Phillips (1991), Hai-Ye Ni (1996), Enrico Bronzi (2002) and Andreas Brantelid (2007). The Artistic Director of the Competition is Professor Arto Noras.

The next International Paulo Cello Competition will be held in 2013.