Masterclass Tutors
Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt, born in Freiburg in 1971, studied with Aldo Parisot at the Juilliard School and David Geringas at the Musikhochschule Lübeck. He won first prizes at major competitions, including the German National Music Competition, the Adam Cello Competition in New Zealand, and the Rostropovich Competition in Paris, where he received the “Grand Prix de la Ville de Paris.” He was also a prizewinner at the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow and the Leonard Rose Cello Competition in the USA.
He currently teaches at the Hochschule für Musik “Franz Liszt” Weimar, the Berlin University of the Arts, and, since 2017, at Kronberg Academy.
As a soloist, he has performed across Europe, Russia, Asia, and the USA with leading orchestras such as the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Deutsche Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, and Prague Philharmonia, under conductors including Charles Dutoit, Marek Janowski, Yutaka Sado, Jiří Bělohlávek, and Andrey Boreyko. His concert appearances include Berlin Philharmonie, Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, Suntory Hall, and the Rudolfinum in Prague.
A dedicated chamber musician, he has collaborated with Lang Lang, Emanuel Ax, Gil Shaham, Leonidas Kavakos, and others. From 2000–2002, he was a member of the Chamber Music Society Two of Lincoln Center, and he regularly performs with Jens Peter Maintz as Cello Duello.
His discography includes recordings for Sony Classical, featuring works by Prokofiev, Schumann, and Elgar. His 2013 recording of Carl Maria von Weber’s piano quartet won the "Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik" and the Diapason d’Or.
In recent years, Schmidt has expanded into conducting, appearing with orchestras such as the Dortmunder Philharmoniker, Staatskapelle St. Petersburg, and the Württembergische Philharmonie. He is the principal conductor of Metamorphosen Berlin, leading the ensemble in performances across Germany, Spain, and Switzerland, including at the Elbphilharmonie and Konzerthaus Berlin.
Schmidt plays a Matteo Goffriller cello once owned by Hugo Becker.
source: Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt
About the programme
No great artist steps straight from the classroom onto the world’s biggest stages, no one goes from conservatoire to Carnegie Hall overnight. Witnessing the transformation of extraordinary talent into top-level artistry is a fascinating journey, one that the Dvořák Prague Festival’s masterclasses bring to life.
It's fascinating to see how a well-rehearsed piece flourishes with each tiny refinement—perfection lies in the details, where mastery is found as much as the devil.
Information for Applicants Interested in Active or Passive Participation in the Cello Masterclasses
- The programme of the masterclasses is not set in advance.
- Applications are open to cellists and must be sent by email to uherkova@dvorakovapraha.cz by 31 July 2025.
- The application must include the applicant’s CV, telephone and email contact details, and a proposed repertoire to be discussed with the tutor.
- Applicants must also indicate their preferred tutor – either J. P. Maintz or W. E. Schmidt – and state whether they would be willing to attend the course with the other tutor if their first choice is full.
- In addition, applicants should specify whether they will need piano accompaniment for any repertoire involving piano. If selected for active participation and piano accompaniment is required, the participant must provide sheet music for the pianist.
- All applicants will be informed by 15 August 2025 whether they have been accepted as active or passive participants.
- The upper age limit for participation is 25 years.
- Both active and passive participation in the masterclasses is offered free of charge by the Academy of Classical Music.
Our public masterclasses reveal the secrets of the craft, where precision shapes beauty, and offer a front-row seat to rising stars who will soon grace the world’s most prestigious stages.
We thank our partners for supporting the programme
