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May 2, 2012

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Tchaikovsky prize winners in town

THREE winners of the 14th International Tchaikovsky Competition will play in Shanghai on Friday as part of their global tour.

Piano gold award winner Daniil Trifonov from Russia, cello gold award winner Narek Hakhnazaryan from Armenia and violin silver award winner Sergey Dogadin from Russia will be appearing at the Shanghai Grand Theater.

The three winners will perform in turn at the concert, playing works such as Tchaikovsky's "Souvenir d'un Lieu Cher," Shumann's "Fantasiestucke," Paganini's "Moses," Mozart's "Fantasie in D Minor" and Chopin's "12 Etudes."

A recent solo concert by Trifonov in London received rave reviews from the critics. Valery Gergiev, chairman of the International Tchaikovsky Competition judges, says Shanghai audiences now have an opportunity to make their own judgment of the talent.

The International Tchaikovsky Competition, which dates back to 1958, is one of the most authoritative international music competitions, though it lost some of its popularity following the collapse of the former Soviet Union.

"I was still a kid when the first competition was launched, but I remember clearly the legendary musicians who came out of the competitions - such as pianist Van Cliburn, Grigory Sokolov and violinist Viktor Tretiakov," says Gergiev.

"The winners came from around the world, and became well-known artists and representatives of their own culture later," he says.

Appointed as chairman of the judging committee two years ago, Gergiev is determined to revive the competition.

He says he has strived to set up a strong committee and a transparent, professional and friendly environment for the competition.

Russian pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy, American cellist Lynn Harrell, German violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter and vocalist Placido Domingo were all on the judge list this time.

"Music is the only standard for judgment, rather than any other factors involving politics or personal relations," says Gergiev.

Around 600 musicians from 47 countries entered the competition, which broke the previous record.

"We were thrilled to see so many musicians of between 18 and 20 years old in the competition, which proves the popularity and revived reputation of the competition," says Gergiev.

The three winners gained not only their prizes, but also the opportunity to perform in dozens of cities and work with famous symphony orchestras, such as the London Symphony Orchestra and the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra.

Gergiev himself has already worked with piano winner Trifonov, performing in seven countries since the competition, and says the Russian is already becoming a very well-known young musician.

"The name of the winners will be recognized by more and more people through the concerts, and their performance in China this time will definitely add more importance to them and the competition," Gergiev says.

Meanwhile, the 6th China Shanghai International Piano Competition due to run in Shanghai from November 2 to 11 will also provide a platform for music talent worldwide, as part of the Shanghai International Arts Festival.

Pianists attending include American Gary Graffman, Russian Dmitri Bashkirov and Austrian-born Canadian Anton Kuerti. They will be joined by Chinese pianists and educators as judges at the event.



Tchaikovsky Competition Winners Global Tour Shanghai concert

Date: May 4, 7:15pm

Venue: Shanghai Grand Theater, 300 People's Ave

Tickets: 80-380 yuan (US$12.74-60.51)

Tel: 962-388


 

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