MOSCOW, July 2. /TASS/. President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend a gala concert of winners of the 15th Tchaikovsky International Music Competition at the Grand Hall of Moscow Conservatory on Thursday.
The Kremlin press service recalled in this connection that this year's competition was timed for the 175th anniversary since the birthday of the great composer.
All in all, it had 623 applicants from 45 countries and finals were reached by six pianists from Russia, Lithuania, France, and the US, six violinists from Russia, Moldova, South Korea, Taiwan, and Germany, six cellists from Russia, Spain, Romania, South Korea, and the Netherlands, as well as eight vocalists from Russia, Armenia, Mongolia, China, and South Korea.
The programme of the concert features the winner of the pianistic competition Dmistry Masleyev of Russia, 27, the best cellist Andrei Ionita of Romania, 20, baritone Ganbaatar Ariunbaatar of Mongolia and soprano Yulia Matochkina of Russia who won gold medals in the vocalists' competition, and violinist Yu-Chien Tseng of Taiwan, 20, who got second prize in the violin category as no first prize was awarded this time.
They and other laureates of the competition will perform in the concert to the accompaniment of the Mariinsky Theater Symphony Orchestra under the baton of maestro Valery Gergiyev, who is a co-chairperson of the Tchaikovsky Competition organizing committee.
Putin traditionally keeps track of events at Tchaikovsky competitions that are held once in four years. He visits the opening and closing ceremonies and sends greeting to participants.
He believes this is one of the most authoritative and impressive contemporary musical competitions.
"This is a globally famous contest," he said in one of his greetings. "It's not only a review of young talents but also a tournament in artistry, the exquisiteness of presentation, and virtuosity."
Putin calls the Tchaikovsky Competition one of the most prestigious cultural events in this country and an element of national heritage. For young performance, it offers a perfect springboard into creative carriers, he says.
The Tchaikovsky competition was held for the first time in 1958. The list of winners in different years includes pianist Van Cliburn, Vladimir Krainev. Denis Matsuyev, violinists Viktor Tretyakov and Gidon Kremer, singers Yelena Obraztsova, Tamara Sinyavskaya, Paata Burchuladze, cellists Natalya Shakhovskaya and Antonio Menezes, and many other outstanding performers.
This year's competition was held in Moscow and St Petersburg since June 15 and even a small fire on the compound of Moscow Conservatory several days ago did not hamper it.