PENTATONE is delighted to announce its partnership with the Danish Philharmonic Orchestra and Nordic Artists Management in support of a new international cello competition, set to launch in 2027. Designed to discover and nurture the next generation of exceptional cello talent, the competition will offer young artists an unparalleled platform to launch their international careers.
As part of the collaboration, PENTATONE will release the debut album of the competition’s First Prize winner, recorded with the Danish Philharmonic Orchestra. The recording will mark the beginning of an exciting artistic journey, introducing the winner to audiences worldwide through an international release.
The Larsen Strings Prize, awarded to the First Prize winner, offers a comprehensive career development package that extends far beyond the competition stage. The prize includes:
- €14,000 in prize money
- Ten concert engagements with leading European orchestras
- A recording with the Danish Philharmonic Orchestra, to be released on PENTATONE
- Mentorship from acclaimed cellist Daniel Müller-Schott and renowned teacher Trudy Wright
- A three-year collaboration with Nordic Artists Management
- Status as a Larsen Performing Artist
Speaking about the initiative, Jacob Soelberg, CEO of Nordic Artists Management, said:
The collaboration reflects a shared commitment between PENTATONE, the Danish Philharmonic Orchestra and Nordic Artists Management t“Our partnership with Pentatone makes the Danish International Cello Competition something truly special from day one. It creates a unique opportunity for the winner to take a significant step onto the international stage and begin building a lasting global career. We are particularly excited to collaborate with Pentatone on shaping the album’s repertoire. Our ambition is not simply to produce another recording of the Dvořák Cello Concerto, but to create an artistic statement that reflects the individuality, vision, and personality of the talented musician behind it.”o support outstanding young musicians beyond the competition itself. By combining performance opportunities, artistic mentorship, professional management and an international recording, the prize is designed to provide the winner with the foundations for a lasting international career.
Sean Hickey, Managing Director of PENTATONE, added::
As part of PENTATONE’s ongoing to commitment to nurturing tomorrow’s great artists, we are pleased to announce our collaboration with the Danish International Cello Competition. This will provide opportunities for these award-winning cellists to realize their best recorded work on one of the world’s leading independent labels, and for PENTATONE to cultivate relationships with artists aligned with the label’s vision. We will work closely with each artist on program selection and execution as well as recording and release strategy. We look forward to introducing and promoting some of the future’s finest cellists to the world.
PENTATONE is proud to be part of this exciting new initiative and looks forward to welcoming the inaugural winner to the label in 2028.