Now the first round of the competition is over, and we congratulate the participants on their successful performances! The young pianists performed pieces by Bach, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Skryabin, Liszt, Hindemith, Rameau, Stravinsky, Metner and many other composers. Also, Ivan Bessonov and Yevgeny Evgrafov chose to present to the jury their own compositions, Festive waltzand Sonata No. 14.

Denis Matsuev and Valery Pyasetsky did not exaggerate saying that to select among 98 applicants the lucky ones who would participate in the Grand Piano Competition, they had to make an extremely painful choice, so high the professional level of young pianists is. Oh, in the first round already, it became obvious that selecting the winners from the 15 remaining participants, has become even more painful.. [ ... ] It is a really gloves-of competition: when you talk to the teachers, the audience and the journalists, it becomes clear that no leniency is shown here to anyone, every participant has to meet tough requirements and will be judged severely. It could not be otherwise, though, for each of them will have a long and difficult performing career as well as other big competitions, the requirements are tough for everyone."
Olga Usova, Piano Forum magazine

"Hard workers are all saints rather than children. [ ... ] I love talented people, everything seems so easy when they are around" Natalia Zimyanina, musical critic

We are looking forward to the final round, featuring performances with an orchestra. We wish every success to the participants and invite the audience to support them at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall on May 3 and 4.