German Cellist Cosima Regina Federle Wins First Prize at Khachaturian International Competition
When the lights dimmed in Yerevan’s historic concert hall on June 13, a young German cellist stepped onto the stage and turned a week of fierce competition into a triumphant finale. Cosima Regina Federle, 24, captured the top prize at the 2026 Khachaturian International Competition, a cello‑only event that ran from June 6 to 13 in Armenia’s capital.
Federle’s victory came with a $10,000 award and a future concert engagement with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra. In addition, she earned a special prize for the best interpretation of a sonata in the second round. The silver medal, worth $5,000, went to 21‑year‑old Russian cellist Bogdan Efremov, who also took home special prizes for the best interpretation of a Popper etude and for Khachaturian’s Sonata‑Fantasy for solo cello. Third place, $3,000, was awarded to 23‑year‑old Armenian cellist Artyom Ioanisyan, who also won the audience award and a concert engagement with the orchestra. The fourth prize, along with a special prize for the best interpretation of a solo Bach composition, went to 19‑year‑old American cellist Miriam K. Smith.
The jury, led by Victor Julien‑Laferrière, included a roster of international cello luminaries: Gregorio Nieto, Levon Mouradian, Josephine Knight, Meehae Ryo, Martti Rousi, and Denis Severin. All members are respected figures in the global cello community.
Federle is currently a student at the Berlin University of the Arts, studying under Jens‑Peter Maintz. She previously honed her craft with Peter Bruns at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy in Leipzig, and with Wolfgang Nüsslein and Hanno Simons. Her résumé boasts first prizes at the Domenico Gabrielli Cello Competition, the Lions Competition, and the International Dotzauer Competition; second prizes at the International Grunewald Competition and the International David Popper Competition; and a third prize at the 2023 International Klaipėda David Geringas Cello Competition.
After the announcement, Federle reflected on the whirlwind week: “I am overwhelmed, I cannot put it into words – this was a very intense week, I’m also a bit exhausted I have to say, but I’m just extremely happy. It will take some time to digest it and really realise what just happened. I’m happy that all my passion, all my work, all the time and thought I put into the preparation and in my playing finally paid off.”
The Khachaturian International Competition has become a prominent platform for emerging cellists, offering not only monetary prizes but also performance opportunities with leading orchestras. The 2026 edition highlighted the cello’s expressive range, with finalists tackling works from Khachaturian, Popper and Bach.
The competition’s results were announced during a closing ceremony that featured a performance of Aram Khachaturian’s Concerto‑Rhapsody for cello by the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sergey Smbatyan.
Federle’s win places her among a growing list of young musicians who have achieved recognition at major international competitions. Her success is expected to open further concert engagements and recording opportunities, both in Armenia and internationally.
The competition’s jury and organizers praised the high level of artistry displayed by all participants, noting that the event continues to uphold Khachaturian’s legacy while fostering new talent in the classical music world.
As the competition concludes, the winners will prepare for upcoming engagements, and the event’s organizers will begin planning the next edition, scheduled for 2027.
