Valery Gergiev, Vozhd of the Tchaikovsky Competition and much else in Russian musical life, staged a concert for President Putin in which all the category winners of the last contest were required to perform.

They were: Aigul Khismatullina (soprano), Anastasia Kobekina (cello), Mark Bushkov (violin), Alexey Lobikov (trombone), Kim Gihun (baritone), Maria Barakova (mezzo-soprano), Matvey Demin (flute), Sergey Dogadin (violin), Zheng Yun (French horn), Konstantin Emelyanov (piano), Alexander Kantorow (piano).

Putin seemed pleased.

photo: RIA-Novosti