Evgeny Kissin, Maxim Vengerov and Vadim Repin at the opening of the VIIIth International Tchaikovsky Competition.

Firma Melodiya releases a CD with the live broadcast of the unique concert that took place over thirty years ago in the July days of 1986.

“Why hold the competition? Here they are, the first prizes!” This is what the listeners thought, at least the ones who were unwilling to leave the Grand Hall of the Conservatory that evening. It was one of those rare cases, when the Tchaikovsky Competition, one of the strongest ever in terms of contenders, is remembered not only because of the winners, but first of all, because of the opening concert.

After the officials’ obligatory speeches were over, three boys took the stage, the eldest of whom had not turned fifteen. Evgeny Kissin, Vadim Repin, Maxim Vengerov... Each had already managed to vividly express himself in the country’s musical life, although it seemed that their main triumphs were still to come. They felt embarrassed, blushed when they heard the applause and were noticeably nervous when they hit the stage. But those who happened to be at that concert still remember it clearly...

“Fantastic impressions”, “nothing short of miraculous”, “unforgettable”, “I have never heard anything like that before and will never hear again”, were some of the judges’ impressions of the concert. The venerable masters, professors from the world’s leading educational institutions, who had seen many a talent, were visibly amazed. Each of the contenders was not inferior to the others in terms of virtuosity, artistry, confidence and refined sense of style. A mature artist was already heard in each of them. Each was a master who had not lost his “childish” sincerity, a thing that so many “adult” professionals lack.

Melodiya released LPs with the broadcast of the concert immediately after the competition. They have long become phonographic rarities. Today, we offer another opportunity to hear one of Moscow’s legendary concerts of the second half of the 1980s.