Cello orchestra masterclass auditions

The masterclass is intended for all cellists and cellists who wish to prepare for orchestra auditions.

The meeting held by Maestros Massimo Polidori, first cello of La Scala Theater, and Amedeo Cicchese, first cello of the Santa Cecilia Orchestra, is part of the fourth edition of the annual cello master class 2025/2026.

The Masterclass will bring the focus on orchestra auditions through specific activities:

• Seminar on orchestral steps:

taught by Maestro Massimo Polidori, the seminar will focus on orchestral passages usually required in audition announcements and competitions. Techniques and strategies to prepare for auditions and approach the study. The seminar is open to auditors

• Talk with the Masters:

Massimo Polidori and Amedeo Cicchese will be the focus of a talk for face-to-face discussion with students and their questions:

How to approach auditions? What to focus on in the study? What elements does a committee pay attention to?

The talk is open to auditors

• Hearing simulation:

A real audition for all actual masterclass students. In front of a committee chaired by the two masters, the students will be able to test themselves with an audition program composed of pieces and orchestral passages among the most popular in audition calls and competitions. At the end of the rehearsal, participants will have a personal discussion with the teachers to receive feedback on the rehearsal and any suggestions for improvement.

Audition rehearsals and all activities will be open to auditors

AUDITION AND SEMINAR PROGRAM

Mandatory song:

Franz Joseph Haydn – Concerto in D major, 1st and 2nd movements with cadenza

Performance of the First Movement of one of the concertos listed below at the student’s choice:

• Dvořák, cello concerto op.104
• Schumann, cello concerto op.129

Orchestral steps:

• Ludwig van Beethoven – Fifth Symphony, Second Movement.
• Giuseppe Verdi – Requiem Mass, Offertory.
• Johannes Brahms – Second Symphony, Second Movement.
• F. Mendelssohn, Ein Sommernachtstraum

MARTHA opens each meeting of the advanced courses to auditors by reserving special discounts for music students and class groups. This is a unique opportunity to participate in the life of the MARTHA Academy by listening to the advice of great masters during performances and lessons by young and talented musicians on the great cello repertoire.