VI International piano competition in memory of Emil Gilels
Regulation of events of the competition
The results of the preliminary selection
“A pearl at the sea” — this expression is often used to describe the legendary city of Odessa. Its suitable geographical location on the Black Sea coast and favorable warm climate has always attracted tourists and businessmen from many parts of the world.
More than two thousand years ago an ancient port city used to be on the place where Odessa stands now, but Odessa itself is a comparatively young city, which is slightly over 200 years old. Among the symbols of Odessa well known around the world is the lighthouse meeting vessels at the entrance to the harbor, Potemkin steps ascending from the coast up to the city center, the monument to Duke De Rishelieu welcoming guests, and, finally — the pride of Odessans — unique Opera and Ballet House.
The business card of Odessa has names of numerous famous musicians — vocalists, composers, instrumentalists. In the row of these names, alongside with those of David Oistrach and Svyatoslav Richter, there is a name of Emil Gilels—an outstanding pianist of the 20th century, People’s Artist of the USSR, Laureate of All-Union and international competitions, Laureate of Lenin and State awards of the USSR, Honored Member of London Queen Music Academy and Budapest F. List Music Academy, Professor of Moscow P. I. Tchaikovsky Conservatoire. At the age of 16, a student of Odessa Conservatoire, Emil Gilels took the first prize at the First All-Union Competition of Musicians, which took place in Moscow in 1933. This victory began his astounding career and brought everlasting fame to his Alma Mater and his teacher Berta Michailovna Reingbald. “She was a very sophisticated and educated person... Being a subtle psychologist, she had the ability to identify the strong features of her students and awaken their aspiration
for revealing their inner talents”, Emil Gilels wrote about his teacher.
The Sixth International Piano Competition in Memory of Emil Gilels will be held in Odessa during October 2015. The First, Second, Third and Fourth International Competitions took place in 2001, 2003, 2006 and 2009 and were highly estimated and recognized among the professional musicians.
The Competition will be hosted by Odessa National A. V. Nezhdanova Music Academy and Odessa Regional Philharmonic Society.
Deadline for sending applications – September 1, 2015.