The Third International Grand Piano Competition has officially begun! Artistic director of the competition Denis Matsuev, winner of the Grand Prix of the previous contest Alexandra Dovgan, as well as the Svetlanov Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Alexander Sladkovsky took part in the festive opening concert in the Great Hall of the Conservatory. The monumentality of Shostakovich's “Festive Overture” and Tchaikovsky's “Slavic March”, the exquisite virtuosity of Chopin's Grande polonaise brillante and the futuristic tone-painting of Shchedrin's second Piano Concerto gave a powerful start to the competition. At the end of the concert Rodion Shchedrin himself came on stage — the audience greeted him with a standing ovation.

Watch our chronicles from the competition’s opening.