The VIII Tbilisi International Piano Competition

The Conservatoire Grand Hall was built in 1938-1941, when the conservatoire building was undergoing its first reconstruction (Architect: Shalva Tavadze). It was festively opened on January 28, 1942. In 1963 a three manual and forty register “Alexander Schuke Potsdam” organ was installed in the Grand Hall. Its timbre and register specifications were perfectly adjusted to the Hall’s acoustics. Over the years famous organ players such as Isay Braudo, James Dalton, Jean Guillou, Garry Grodberg, Hugo Lepnurm and Leonid Roizman have performed on this remarkable instrument. Renowned Georgian organ player Eter Mgaloblishvili’s career is also inextricably linked with this organ.
During ten years, (1987 – 1997), the Grand Hall did not function. On Manana Doidjashvili’s initiative and the Georgian government’s support the Hall has been restored and renovated, in the result of which the Hall has once again become a very significant cultural center for our capital. In 1998 the Georgian Parliament together with the Republic of Germany restored the organ. The Grand Hall has a seating capacity of 500; it is remarkable in terms of acoustics and can host both symphony and chamber concerts. The orchestra pit makes it possible to perform operas there as well. The Hall has digital audio-recording studio, organ, two “Steinway & Sons” concert grand pianos and all facilities which meet modern standards. 
 Since 1997 the Grand Hall has hosted annual international festival New Year Music Celebrations.
They feature outstanding contemporary musicians performing, classical and folk music, as well as jazz. The Grand Hall hosts various cultural events like the Georgian Competitions of Musician-Performers and the Tbilisi International Piano Competition, International Symposia on Traditional Polyphony, as well as book presentations, exhibitions of paintings etc.

Alexi Matchavariani

The outstanding Georgian Composer Alexi Matchavariani (1913-1995), People’s Artist of the USSR, Laureate of the USSR State and Shota Rustaveli Prize, has received many various medals and international awards, and Gold Medal of the Braidense Gallery at La Scala, Milan and the Picasso Prize (USA) among others. 
In 1936 Alexi Matchavariani graduated from the Tbilisi State Conservatoire under Prof. Petre Ryazanov and prominent Georgian composer Meliton Balanchivadze. Under Prof. Ryazanov he took the Post-Graduate Course in composition at the same conservatoire. 
Alexi Matchavariani’s creative heritage is broad and versatile including piano and violin concerti, 7 symphonies, 6 string quartets, ballets, operas, vocal-instrumental cycle, romances, piano ballades, piano and orchestral pieces, choral music, music for choir and orchestra, music for movies and theatre performances. 
A.Matchavariani has acquired appreciation and recognition as a musician of high erudition and creative individuality both in Georgia and abroad.  His woks have been successfully performed in major halls and theatres around the world in the interpretation of the world known musicians and conductors.
His works are published in the USA, Russia, Germany, etc. About 20 records have been released at the “Melodia” studio and at many others. The “Columbia” studio has published his violin concerto. 
Besides his creative activities as a composer A. Matchavariani was intensively involved into pedagogical and social life. 

Alexi Matchavariani’s piano work “Khorumi” selected as an obligatory work for the competition was composed in 1938. “Khorumi” is an ancient folk battle round dance (5/8 measure) traditionally performed by men. It was premiered and recorded as a soundtrack for the film by Tinatin Gogolashvili, Anastasia Virsaladze’s former student, accompanied by the rhythm of drum. Performed by Ksenia Djikia, Prof. Henrich Heuhaus’ student, the work has achieved an international recognition. Since then this composition has been included in the repertoire of both Georgian and foreign pianists. 

Ilya KONDRATIEV (Russia) - GRAND PRIX - US $ 15 000 & Commemorative Medal
- City Hall of Tbilisi - award For Artistry -bronze statuette Magic note;
- Embassy of Italy in Georgia - prize For the Best Performance of a Scarlatti Sonata - US $ 1000
- Embassy of Turkey in Georgia - prize For the Best Performance of a Piano Concerto - US $ 1000
- Georgian Music Competitions Fund - prize For the Best Performance of a Classical Sonata in the Second Round - US $ 1.000
- Georgian Music Competitions Fund - "The Alfred Cortot Prize " - For the Best Performance of Romantic Music - US $ 1. 500
 

Tsotne TSOTSKHALASHVILI (Georgia) II PRIZE – 7 000 USD (donated by "Ernst and Young") & commemorative medal
- RADIO FORTUNA - Scholarship US $ 1 000 to the Best Georgian Participant
- SOLO Fund of Assistance to Young Georgian Musicians – prize For the Best Georgian Performer - US $ 1 000. 
 

Reed TETZLOFF (USA) - III PRIZE – 5 000 USD (donated by Bob Meijer) & commemorative medal
- Ministry of Culture & Monument Protection of Georgia award - Gilt bronze figurine Muse - for the best recital in the Semi-final
 

Anna GOGAVA (Georgia) - V PRIZE – 3 000 USD (donated by Nana & Avtandil Tsereteli) & commemorative medal
- Georgian Music Competitions Fund - "The Alfred Cortot Prize " US $ 1. 500 "For the Best Performance of Romantic Music"
 

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• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia – prize US $ 1.000 to the best foreign performer of a Georgian Composer’s work - DE SOLAUN Josu (Spain)
• Maia Adamia- Griffin - encouragement prize US $ 500 for the Best Semi-finalist who didn’t reach the Final Round - DE S OLAUN Josu (Spain)
• Georgian Panist Temur Akhobadze's encouragement prize US $ 500 for the best Georgian Semi-finalist – Alexander Vasadze (Gorgia)
• Georgian Music Competitions Fund – prize US $ 500 for the Best Semi-finalist who didn’t reach the Final Round - KOVALENKO Oleksiy (Ukraine)
• Embassy of Poland in Georgia Prize US $ 1000 and Therese Dussaut’s “Encouragement Prize” US $ 500- For the Best Performance of a Chopin Etude - KURITA Nanako (Japan)
   
• All semifinalists have got the Conservatoire Grand Hall award – CDs with a recording of the 3rd Round Performance
• All semifinalists were awarded Honorary Diplomas.

CONCERT ENGAGEMENTS FOR THE WINNERS:
 

• The winners of the V Tbilisi International Piano Competition will be invited to the following concerts and masterclasses:
• Recital in Tbilisi - organized by the International Festival”New Year Music Celebrations” at the V.Sarajishvili Tbilisi State Conservatoire Grand Hall (2014, Georgia)
• Recital in Utrecht - organized by the International Franz Liszt Piano Competition (2014, November, Netherlands)
• Recital in Kiev - organized by the International Competition for Young Pianists in Memory of Vladimir Horowitz (Kiev, Ukraine, 2014)
• Recital in Poland - organized by the Paderewski International Piano Competition (Poland)
• Recital in Dublin - organized by the Dublin International Piano Competition (Ireland)

•    Minister of foreign Affairs of Georgia –H. E.  Ms. Maia Panjikidze
•    Ambassador of Germany – H.E. Mr. Ortwin Hennig 
•    Ambassador of Poland – H.E. Mr. Andrzej Cieszkowski
•    Ambassador of France – H.E. Mr. Renaud Salins
•    Ambassador of Italy – H.E. Ms. Federica Favi
•    Ambassador of Turkery – H.E. Mr. Levent Murat Buhran 

• “Rustavi2”
• “Public Broadcasting”
• “Radio Fortuna”
• “Caucasus Online”

• Bob Meijer
• Nana and Avtandil Tsereteli

Companies:

• Ernst & Young
• “TBC Group”
• “Samgori 94 Group”
• “Chateau Mukhrani”
• “Teliani Valley”
• “Hotel CourtyaRD Marriott”

1. Tbilisi City Hall;
2. Ministry of Culture and Monuments Protection of Georgia;
3. The V, Sarajishvili State Conservatoir;
4. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia;
5. The Diplomatic Missions of the Federal Republic of Germany, Republic of France, Republic of Poland, Republic of Italy and Republic of Turkey accredited in Georgia;
6. institute of France in Georgia;
7. the “solo” Fund of Assistance to Young Georgian Musicians.