The Tchaikovsky Competition which is held once every four years remains one of the most important platforms for classical music. The competition was founded in 1958 and ended with a sensation – the young American pianist Van Cliburn won it. Its initiators said that the international dynamics of the competition stirred up the USSR’s desire to “be ahead of the curve”: in 1958 there were 61 musicians from 22 countries; in 1962 – 131 musicians from 31 countries; 1966 – 200 musicians from 36 countries. After Italian – the international language of singers – singing in Russia changed the situation with Russian songs in foreign scenes.
Initiators point out two difficult moments in the post-Soviet history of the competition. In the early 1990s the competition was eliminated from the World Confederation for non-payment of fees. In 1994 a lot of strong competitors failed to attend the finale, and the jury decided not to award the first, second, third and fifth prizes.
Today the competition is marking a double anniversary – in June it will be held for the 15th time, and it will be the 175th birthday of Tchaikovsky. Moscow and St. Petersburg concert halls will welcome young participants of the competition.
The director of the Mariinsky Theatre, conductor and co-chair of the Organizing Committee of the XV International Tchaikovsky Competition, Valery Gergiev, expects the emergence of many new talented names, gifted artists: “Very many countries have expressed their willingness to accept the winners of the Tchaikovsky contest. There are performances in Japan, China, South Korea, the US, Canada, and many European countries and, of course, not only in Moscow and St. Petersburg, but also in many Russian cities. We have very strong Philharmonic organizations, strong bands and the arrangements, of course, have been achieved.”
Speaking about the age of the competitors - from 16 years to 32, Gergiyev noted: “Grigory Sokolov won the competition at 16 years of age, Boris Gutnikov, John Ogdon, Elena Obraztsova - in my opinion, they were about 31, or 32, even. So we just rely on the experience that the famous Tchaikovsky Competition had for decades, we know very well these names and someone like Grigory Sokolov managed immediately to fly to Olympus and stay at this vertex for decades, and someone was going to win the competition named after Tchaikovsky, having already some experience and performances in the leading theaters of the world and with leading orchestras and then. I welcome this and that variant. I believe that the 16-and 17-year-olds and those over 30 should take this competition as a unique opportunity for the first time ever, ever again to express themselves and thus to secure great opportunities for advancement, both in Russia and around the world.”
Gergiyev stressed that the competition was “faced with certain challenges of a non-musical character, but I can say that to some degree this competition can be neither politicized nor somehow be directly linked to any difficulties which have today overwhelmed the whole world – and in this situation, Russia is no exception. We are waiting for courageous youth, filled with the creative work of preparation and participation in this wonderful competition.”
People's Artist of Russia, pianist and social activist Denis Matsuev, a member of the jury, told Vestnik Kavkaza that the level of musicians from the South Caucasus republics would be very high: “I know a huge amount of my friends with whom I studied and the younger generation, which is, in particular, David Hrikuli, in my opinion, an outstanding expert from Georgia, who won my contest in Astana and the competition 'The Nutcracker' in Moscow. Azerbaijan has brilliant musicians who participate now in many competitions, gaining the title of laureates. Therefore, I think that the Tchaikovsky Competition is no exception to this rule. I already have applications from participants from these republics and we are waiting for March 1 in order to start auditioning, first by video, and then start the live selections.”
“I have been in Azerbaijan many times,” Matsuyev said. “I played in the Grand Philharmonic. I have been familiar with Heydar Aliyev, he met us, we went there with Vladimir Fedoseyev. I love Baku, it’s just unique, of course, beautiful. And the people who live there. And I played at a festival in Gabala. Gabala is an absolutely wonderful town in the mountains, which runs a wonderful music festival, where people come to hear absolutely outstanding artists and orchestras. I was in Yerevan too, repeatedly, and with Vladimir Spivakov, with Satie, too, we played with Sergey Smbatyan, a stunning young conductor, and with the Youth Orchestra. We have big plans, and I will definitely come back again.”
The pianist says that he often visits the North Caucasus republics, especially North Ossetia: “I’ve been to Vladikavkaz many times. I am a People’s Artist of North Ossetia. My close friend Valery Gergiyev was born in the republic. For me they are very close and dear people. I feel at home there, absolutely. Because of the warmth and heartfelt attitude. I will never forget my concert in Beslan, we were with Mikhail Pletnev and played there right in front of the school, probably one of the most difficult shows in my life, but emotional and, most importantly, to communicate with these children who have been there and people who have seen it all ... This republic has a unique resistance, internal charge and dignity, and the children too. So that is why I always like to go on tour there.”
