Riccardo Cellacchi Artist Interview
Riccardo Cellacchi, born in Rome in 1999, is the winner of the 1st Prize at the 11th Kobe International Flute Competition. At 19 he was appointed Principal Flute of the Berner Symphonieorchester, after being an academist with the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks. He is considered one of the most promising flutists of his generation.
Congratulations on winning Kobe 2025! Any (secret) insights on how you prepared for this competition? How much in advance did you start training with the rep?
First of all, thank you very much! It might sound a bit boring, but there are no real secrets when preparing for such a competition. The work begins months in advance, because with such a vast repertoire you need time to process and truly “digest” it in every possible aspect.
In your opinion, what are your Super Powers that helped you win this competition?
I believe one of the most underestimated qualities in competitions is endurance. The real challenge is not only to play well, but to keep performing at your best after several demanding rounds, each with different repertoire, while spending two weeks abroad under unusual conditions.
What do you like best about teaching?
Teaching is not yet a regular part of my life, but every year I work with one student who does an internship in my orchestra. I find this very stimulating, because the teaching is focused entirely on one person, helping them prepare auditions with orchestral excerpts. It feels very personal and connects naturally with my role as an orchestral flutist.
What do you like best about performing?
Performing makes me feel fortunate every time. We are so lucky to have a profession that allows us to express emotions in a way that everyone can understand in their own way. I personally really have fun while playing, especially with other musicians, where you can really share the same feelings on stage.
What does your schedule look like for the next 6 months?
It’s really messy but super exciting! Most of my time I spend in Bern playing with my orchestra, and in between I try to squeeze in everything else — from flute festivals to chamber music to solo concerts.
What are your goals personally? Professionally?
Very difficult to say. For the moment, I really enjoy my professional life as it is. In the future, teaching may become a stronger part of my daily work, but I don’t want to think too far ahead. I feel very lucky to live my present this way and I hope it will continue in this direction.
What inspires you the most in life?
I try to take inspiration from many different things. I feel lucky to be surrounded by wonderful people who motivate me and give me new ideas every day. Playing in an orchestra also offers countless inputs and perspectives, which inspire me to keep improving and to always try to give my best.
What has been your greatest challenge?
For me, the hardest time was, like for many other musicians, staying motivated during the Covid period. I had just won the position as principal flute, and right after reaching one of my goals, I had to slow down when the only thing I wanted was to finally do my dream job.
Who were your music mentors? and what did you learn from them?
I have learned so much from many different people, and I still draw inspiration from them today. If I had to mention a few, certainly Emmanuel Pahud and my teacher Andrea Lieberknecht. But I believe everyone has something to teach you, and sometimes the most valuable lessons come from people who are not necessarily flutists or even musicians.
What 3 things would you offer as advice for a young flutist?
I always find it very difficult to give advice to young people, especially in our field, where everything is so subjective and often very challenging. If I had to give just one piece of advice, I would say: always defend your opinion and follow your own path if you believe it is the right one. Time will tell, and it is essential not to lose yourself among the many possibilities.