Pianists from 41 states, including USA and UK, enter Putin’s Tchaikovsky Competition
NewsThis summer’s Putin propaganda competition will go ahead as usual under Valery Gergiev’s auspices.
Pianists who have applied come from South Korea, Japan, USA, France, Spain, Serbia, Mexico, Great Britain, Venezuela, Canada, Australia, Armenia, Germany, Georgia, Italy , Moldova, Singapore, Switzerland, Austria, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Vietnam, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Colombia, Congo, Lithuania, Mozambique, Netherlands, Paraguay, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine, South Africa and Sweden, as well as Russian satellites.
Who are the members of the jury?
Ivan, Boris, Yevgeny, Vladimir, Olga, etc.
Surely Rasputin as well!!
Bravo!! I’m so glad the majority of the civilised music world sees sense.
Music is music; politics is politics. This is confirmed by the Ukrainians who applied.
Looking forward to a wonderful musical feast of the highest levels of music making.
Would you have said the same for the “Berlin Piano Competition of 1941?”
It’s not “politics” when a country is conducting a brutal invasion of its neighbor.
Shame on these pianists; nobody outside Russia should accord them any recognition for what they “accomplish” there.
Really. So let’s boycott the Rubinstein competition in Israel? For crimes against the Palestinians?
Let’s boycott all U.K. and USA competition for crimes in Iraq and Syria?
It’s so infuriating to see how hypocritical people like you are. Talk about double standards.
And please don’t accuse me of ‘whataboutism’ – it’s tiring how people use this word to defend their biased, borderline xenophobic hypocrisy.
Long live the Tchaikovsky competition!
Absolutely you’re engaging in Whataboutism.
I’m not a fan of Israeli occupation, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a different order of magnitude, and with much greater implications for global security. Tchaikovsky is also a much more prominent competition than the Rubenstein.
And you don’t answer my question about Berlin in 1941.
You’re also engaging in whataboutism with Berlin 1941.
Can you explain to me why the invasion of Palestine is different to invading Ukraine? As far as I can see both involve bombing innocent civilians. Or perhaps Palestinian lives don’t matter much to you because their skin colour is not white? I find you very bigoted to be honest.
My answer to your Berlin question is: would you apply for rubinstein competition in 2023. Would you apply for a competition in the US in 2004 during the Iraq invasion?
And you don’t answer my question about boycotting U.K. and USA competitions – probably because you realised you’re completely wrong and have nothing to back yourself up with.
I’m looking forward to it! I hope it accompanies Russia’s losses in Ukraine.
This isn’t about political idealism, it’s about the safety of candidates from nations who are sanctioning Russia right now. Putin could easily arrest them use them as bargaining chips. Doesn’t anyone here read the news?
Perhaps you are thinking about the 1936 Olympics, in Berlin. Or the Tchaikovsky competitions during the Cold War (particularly the results of the first one).
How did those turn out? Miserable hosts, but some light found its way.
Here we are. Blaming all of Russia for Putin’s war. He we are. Blaming all the competitors for participating, not knowing any results—a competition that brings musicians and the world of music together.
Here we are. Hearing all the nonsense about US wars and boycotts and Israel (those who fall for the propaganda of Islamists prove their own inner biases; overlook the danger of a suicide bomber in hospital at your own peril. If you had a choice between Israel and Bin Laden’s people, Israel and Putin, Israel and Xi Jinping’s government, you’d be a fool to choose anyone but Israel. Try an LGBTQIAA+ parade in Jordan, Iraq, or Afghanistan. Or visit a tree hugger in the oil oligarchies.)
If you don’t want to listen to Gergiev, Netrebko, or the rest of them, listen to more Petrenko, more Fleming, and the rest of them.
I am more surprised there are no candidates from China.
Easy to say when it’s not your career that’s on the line.
There are many other competitions (maybe too many) where people can try their luck.
Easy to say when your life isn’t on the line…
The excessive Nazi comparaison used all the time loses its pertinence , Putin is no angel but certainly not-yet-Hitler or Stalin
I like that: ‘no angel’. Euphemism of the year.
Be on the obvious right side. It is not complicated or difficult.
You are quite wrong. Music IS politics when hijacked by an agent such as Putin and used to normalise murderous actions by the state. Don’t be naive.
Shame on Shostakovich, then.
I asked my grandfather when I learned that he, in the midst of the war, was performing some Telemann trio sonatas with family members in rural France in 1942.
“Didn’t you realize how political these trio sonatas were”, I asked him.
No, of course I didn’t ask him about this. See how silly it looks. Now, I’m perhaps an idiot, but not such an idiot.
How is it “normalizing” actions by the state? It’s a music competition. Should Republican musicians boycott competitions in the U.S.
No such thing.
But you are completely ok with the USA keeping its stature after the invasion of Iraq which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people?
I will distinguish me Anon vs you Anon by pointing out that the US didn’t try to host an international music competition during the invasion of Iraq.
1980 Russia invaded Afganistan and USA didn’t participate in Moscow Olympic. There was international competitions in USA during Iraq invasion and Russian were admitted.
I suspect this is a Russian troll account judging by the cheerleading tone.
That said, shame on these pianists, and shame on their teachers if they helped to encourage this.
You’ve got to be a Russian troll or an organizer of this competition. Your non native English & your blind enthusiasm are the give-aways.
This is not just for the piano competition, but over violin, cello, voice, winds and brass categories too.
One has to wonder IF musicians from all these countries actually applied as it is an extremely different list of countries to the candidates that have applied last time around….
No one can see until the “selection” has taken place and the candidates are announced.
Shameful. Have these individuals not heard of boycotting out of principle? Oh wait, they are thinking principal. But, as I have written before, this is precisely what Putin seeks: A slow burn to normalize and wear everyone down into indifference and complacency for his war crimes against Ukraine, the better to secure his targeted land-grab there. Again, utter shame on every single one of these career seekers.
A question for the commenters: what if your child wanted to apply? How would you handle it?
I’d say “Not only No. Hell No!” (can I write that here?).
Same if I were a teacher.
I’d say: yes but are you really ready? Do you have the repertoire prepared and are you really good enough on your instrument to compete?
That’s the only thing I’d be worried about.
Of course. The possibility of being thrown into a Russian penal colony until your home country agrees to lift its sanctions against Russia should be of no concern, right?
If it were my child, or grandchild, friend or student, I would say No, don’t go. Not this time. And I say that with a very heavy heart. Since 1958, it had been my dream to participate in the Tchaikovsky Competition one year. In 1974, I did. It was a unique and mostly wonderful experience which I remember with the greatest love and affection.
But then was then, and now is now, and if now were then, I wouldn’t have gone either.
What will winning or placing at this year’s Tchaikovsky Competition mean, anyway? There is too much baggage attached. Stay away.
Hopefully, next time will be a better time.
Envy is a poor master.
V. V. P. has nothing with this contest. There are a lot of people who put their less competitive students ahead of brilliant young artists. Don’t sure anything changed.
Young musicians tend to be rather apolitical. Maybe it’s because they lead such sheltered lives.
Basketball players aren’t especially political either and yet Britney Griner ended up in a Russian penal colony.
Just to clarify.
She got caught doing something illegal, which she declared to be guilty. Indeed a bit harsh the punishment, but it is within the frame of what is mandatory in their country. Let us be clear: she WAS caught with drugs, and she does not deny it.
So I guess, a pro tip for the competitors, do NOT do drugs…….. At least not while in Russia.
Best of luck to everyone!
Seriously? Griner was arrested, tried before a Russian court & sent to a remote penal colony because she had a small amount of hash oil which was clearly for personal medical use.
The only reason she was released was because the US had to do a prisoner swap for a Putin ally imprisoned in the US who is a major criminal arms dealer. Putin definitely came out ahead.
All Putin has to do is arrest a few competition candidates from choice countries for equally exaggerated minor offenses & he can trade them in prisoner swaps for Russian criminals imprisoned around the world. This competition is a win win for Putin.
Where he alive today, I have no doubt Tchaikovsky would be a dissident in Putin’s Russia. Unless competitors are paraded as a vindication of Putin and his policies, it’s difficult to see how anyone can object.
To Greg:
There is no new Nadezhda Filaretovna von Meck. So, there is no new Tchaikovsky (I don’t mean Aleksandr).
Well, as a homosexual in Putin’s Russia, he’d also have troubles.
Let s see how many will come back from this competition….
But they are free to go there if they consider it moral and safe!
Tchaikovsky competition was created in 1958 under Soviet Union government regime. How is that different from today’s regime? It was also part of propaganda, no?!
Was the American piano winner also a “propaganda”?
The safety of these candidates should be a concern. If Russia arrested Britney Grimes, a US citizen who travelled to Russia to play basketball, over minor, trumped up charges & held her until the US was able to negotiate a prisoner swap for a top level Putin ally being held on serious criminal charges in the U S, any international candidate travelling to Russia for this competition is fair game for the Russians. They’re lambs to the slaughter.
Putin can have any of these candidates arrested for any charges he wishes & hold them as ransom to negotiate with their home countries. US candidates would be crazy to enter Russia right now. All US citizens have been advised to leave.
Putin detained a US basketball player, tried her & sent her to a penal colony over a minor offense. She was there playing for a Russian team. Who’s to say he wouldn’t do the same with non Russian Tchaikovsky competitors.? They’d make ideal international bargaining chips for his despotic regime.
C’mon. Musicians are poor people. Do you think their sponsors are traveling with them to Russia?
The jury lists for multiple instrumental and vocal divisions have been published and they are filled with well-known names. However, the recently deceased pianist Nelson Freire was included, leading me to believe that the invitations were sent and accepted before the invasion. I am puzzled by the whole thing. Have the invited judges spoken publicly about their plans?
Where did you see the list of the 2023 jury? Freire was on the 2019 jury, perhaps you had looked at that list?
I don’t believe this year’s juries have been announced. I predict they’ll have difficulty getting non Russians to be on any juries. It could be seen as collaboration & would be career suicide for most artists.
Mr Tchaikovsky must be laughing at all of this from the heavens above – and probably a tad bit annoyed.
What has this world come to?
I don’t understand why everyone has to associate music and culture with politics. Let us enjoy some unique performances and worry about who makes it through to the next round, instead of automatically assuming this is “propaganda.” If you care about politics so much you want to bash innocent competitors for participating in one of the most prestigious competitions in the world, then go to Twitter and scream your heart out.
I, for one, am not bashing anyone. I’m questioning candidates’ safety in traveling to Russia right now. It’s not safe for them to go.
This competition is no longer one of my favorite competitions. There are many newly established competitions and awards that are much more interesting because the jury consists of young and independent artists.
Would you have written the same article back in 1958?
Non-traditional-value detector firmly installed.
Shame on you all.
Some people need to make a living, put food on the table, and competing in this key competition is important.
Winning a prize in this upcoming competition is CCS: Certain Career Suicide! DON’T GO ! ! ! !
I sincerely hope these competitors will get asked their views on the current situation in Ukraine and give honest answers.
Again from me Anon to you Anon (there are 2 of us): why? Why would they even be asked that? It doesn’t matter what they think. They either compete or they don’t. It’s not a platform for expressing political views. Putin would never allow it.
Now that the 17th Competition is history, I remember that whenever the hosts/hostesses spoke with one of the competitors, not once did the war or politics come up in the interviews. They were asked questions about what they thought of Moscow, (or St. Petersburg), and about their music and where, how they have studied. That said, congratulations to the 16 year old prodigy/virtuoso and pride of the Rostov Conservatoire, Sergei Davydchenko for a well deserved 1st prize in the Piano competition. His singular and haunting interpretation of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor was played as if there was no tomorrow. He can now count himself among those few on the very short list of pianists who can play this fiendishly difficult piece. After almost two months, Maestro Prokofiev is still smiling; and so am I. Bravo!