University of Nevada, Reno Assistant Music Professor Dmitri Atapine, who teamed up with pianist Adela Hyeyeon Park, received second place at the Premio Vittorio Gui Competition in Florence, Italy, Feb. 19.

The Premio Vittorio Gui Competition is a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions, and according to Atapine, one of the most important competitions in the world.

"Adela and I were selected to play in this competition after submitting our resumes and recording," Atapine said. "This premier competition is invitation only. The result is one of the most important and biggest accomplishments of our careers."

Atapine and Park began playing together in 2003 while they attended the Yale School of Music. They were mentored by Aldo Parisot and Peter Frank, respectively. The two have performed throughout the United States, Mexico, Europe and Asia and released an album together in 2009 on the Urtext Digital label distributed by Naxos, "Cello capriccioso."

The competition featured 40 ensembles comprised of duos, trios, string quartets and piano quintets from all over the globe. During the competition's three rounds, Atapine and Park performed works by Beethoven, Barber, Jalbert, Martinu, Stravinsky and Rachmaninoff. The duo's final appearance at the Winners Concert was broadcast live from the Teatro del Maggio Fiorentino on the RAI Radio Italia.

"We felt very rewarded to be able to perform on the national Italian radio," Atapine said. "Being able to play and participate as much as we did was great. We are so pleased to be able to bring home such a prize."

Atapine, has also been recognized as the first-prize winner at the Carlos Prieto International Cello Competition, and has since been recognized as an exciting cellist and an accomplished chamber musician.