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Russian pianist wins International Youth Tchaikovsky contest

Veriko Chumburidze (16), who represented Georgia and Turkey, was the winner in the violin category; 12-year-old Noi Lee from the United States won the cello concert

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

MONTREUX, Switzerland, September 16 (Itar-Tass) — Russian pianist Alexander Kutuzov has won the International Youth Tchaikovsky contest in Montreux, Switzerland.

The 16-year-old second year student of the Moscow College of Music Performance named after Frederick Chopin played Sergei Prokofiev’s Concert No.2 for Piano and Orchestra at a gala concert held at the Stravinsky Auditorium concert hall in Montreux.

The audience gave six encores to Alexander Kutuzov. In the end, he played the fourth part of Concert No. 2. He proved that the jury had been right in their assessment.

“When I learnt that I had won, I was delighted. This is one of the most serious contests. I was nervous when the jury was announcing the winners. Then I got happy and phoned all my friends. I plan to finish my education and continue in the same spirit,” Kutuzov told Itar-Tass.

Veriko Chumburidze (16), who represented Georgia and Turkey, was the winner in the violin category; 12-year-old Noi Lee from the United States won the cello concert.

A total of 124 young performers (under 17) from about 20 countries took part in the International Youth Tchaikovsky Contest, which is youth version of the International Tchaikovsky contest that has been held in Russia since 1958. The Association of Winners of the International Tchaikovsky Music Contest organizes youth contests.

The International Youth Tchaikovsky contest was held in Western Europe for the first time. Prior to that, Russia had hosted the contest twice. Other host countries included Japan, China and South Korea.

The United States, Kazakhstan and Japan are candidates for hosting the next youth contest.

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