Crowning achievement
Weimar student Michael Wehrmeyer wins second prize at the Budapest International Cello Competition
Three finalists from Germany competed for the generous prize money at the Budapest International Cello Competition. The renowned competition in Hungary (September 8-14) had a happy ending for Weimar cello student Michael Wehrmeyer, who won second prize, worth €12,000, as well as three special prizes.
The student from Prof. Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt's class at the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar also earned follow-up concerts in Budapest, including with the Liszt Ferenc Chamber Orchestra.
From around 150 international applications, 15 participants were invited to the three rounds of competition at the Liszt Academy in Budapest. In the final, Michael Wehrmeyer played Antonín Dvořák's cello concerto with the National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by György Vashegyi – as well as a solo performance of the Sarabande from Johann Sebastian Bach's Fifth Cello Suite.
The first prize in Budapest, worth €18,000, went to Arne Zeller, while Lionel Martin won third prize (€6,000). Under the chairmanship of Frans Helmerson, Anne Gastinel, András Keller, Jens Peter Maintz, Gwen Starker, Santiago Cañón Valencia, and István Várdai were members of the international jury.
“The last week was, of course, sheer madness: playing so much in such a short time is not easy,” says Michael Wehrmeyer, who is currently a member of the Karajan Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic. "I was generally in good form and was able to keep my nerves until the end. A wonderful crowning achievement to my bachelor's degree. Many thanks to my professor Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt, who has built me up over the last few years!“
”It was moving to watch Michael Wehrmeyer's performances,“ says his Weimar major teacher Prof. Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt, who watched the competition via livestream. ”From the very first second, he showed a deep seriousness and heartfelt musical expression in his performances! I am sure that he has a wonderful future ahead of him!"
Michael Wehrmeyer comes from a German-Russian family of musicians and was born in Berlin in 2002. He initially received his training in Augsburg with Prof. Hyun-Jung Berger. After completing his bachelor's degree at the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar, he will continue directly with a master's degree in Prof. Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt's class in Weimar starting in October 2025.
He gained further artistic inspiration from David Geringas, Ivan Monighetti, Julius Berger, Frans Helmerson, and Valentin Erben, among others. Since the 2024/25 season, Michael Wehrmeyer has been a member of the Karajan Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic for two years.
He is also a scholarship holder at the Music Academy in Liechtenstein, where he regularly participates in concerts and master classes. Since winning the German Musical Instruments Fund award in 2014, he has been playing a cello by Anton Posch from Vienna (1720) – a trust fund from a Munich family estate.
In 2023, Michael Wehrmeyer won a scholarship at the German Music Competition and was selected for the national “Concerts of Young Artists” program for the 2024/25 concert season. His other awards include the Music Prize of the City of Regensburg.
[16 September 2025]