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    Amazing historical photos from the Tchaikovsky Competition

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    The very first Tchaikovsky Competition took place in 1958 with categories for piano and violin. It now takes place every four years and includes categories for cello and voice. In this gallery we take a look back through the amazing history of this world-famous competition.

    1. Van Cliburn and Shostakovich

      1. Van Cliburn and Shostakovich

      Shostakovich presents pianist Van Cliburn with the gold medal in 1958. The jury had to get permission from Khrushchev before giving first prize to an American. On the phone Khrushchev asked "Is he the best?" and when the jury member assured the politician that Van Cliburn was indeed the best, Khrushchev replied "then give him the prize".

    2. Tchaikovsky Competition

      2. Van Cliburn and Valery Klimov

      Violinist Valery Klimov (left) with pianist Van Cliburn – they both won their respective categories in 1958.

    3. John Ogden

      3. John Ogden

      John Ogden performs at the Tchaikovsky Competition in 1962. He went on to win joint first prize with Vladimir Ashkenazy

    4. Tchaikovsky Competition history

      4. Van Cliburn performs

      The winner of the inaugural competition, Van Cliburn, performs to a packed hall.

    5. Tchaikovsky Competition history

      5. Van Cliburn celebrates with Emil Gilels

      The piano competition's very first winner was Van Cliburn, in 1958. He's pictured here with fellow pianist Emil Gilels.

    6. Tchaikovsky Competition history

      6. John Ogden, Vladimir Ashkenazy and Nikita Khrushchev

      Pianist John Ogden (second from right) pictured with pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy (second from left) and (centre), Khrushchev at the Competition in 1962. Ogden and Ashkenazy were awarded joint first prize.

    7. Shostakovich at the Tchaikovsky Competition

      7. Shostakovich at the Tchaikovsky Competition

      Shostakovich presents a prize at the Tchaikovsky Competition

    8. Tchaikovsky Competition

      8. Van Cliburn in 1958

      The winner of the first-ever Tchaikovsky Competition poses for a photograph (second from the right). Nikita Khrushchev is second from the left

    9. Tchaikovsky Competition

      9. Shostakovich presents a prize

      The great Russian composer Shostakovich awards a prize to one of the participants in the 1958 competition

    10. Tchaikovsky Competition history

      10. Emil Gilels, Grigory Sokolov and Misha Dichter

      Three great pianists relax at the Tchaikovsky Competition: Emil Gilels, Grigory Sokolov and Misha Dichter.

    11. Tchaikovsky Competition history

      11. Ashkenazy

      Pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy performs at the competition in 1962.

    12. Tchaikovsky Competition history

      12. A band performs outside Moscow's Conservatoire

      A band performs next to a statue of Tchaikovsky, outside the Moscow Conservatoire

    13. Tchaikovsky Competition history

      13. Mikhail Pletnev

      Pianist Mikhail Pletnev was crowned winner in 1978.

    14. Tchaikovsky Competition

      14. Maria Callas

      The great soprano Maria Callas at the competition in 1970

    15. Tchaikovsky Competition

      15. Gidon Kremer

      Gidon Kremer, winner of the 1970 violin competition, performs during the rounds.

    16. Tchaikovsky Competition

      16. Ilya Kaler

      Violinist Ilya Kaler performing in 1986 – the year in which he and Raphaël Oleg shared first prize.

    17. Tchaikovsky Competition

      17. Boris Berezovsky

      Boris Berezovsky, pictured here, won the piano competition in 1990

    18. Tchaikovsky Competition history

      18. Nikolai Lugansky performs in 1994

      Nikolai Lugansky performs in 1994, when he went on to win second prize (no first was given)

    19. Tchaikovsky Competition history

      19. Van Cliburn

      The first winner of the Tchaikovsky piano competition, Van Cliburn, pictured more recently

    20. Daniil Trifonov

      20. Daniil Trifonov

      Daniil Trifonov performs at the 2011 Competition – which he went on to win.

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