Due to current circumstances it is impossible to hold our competition as it was previously stated. That is why Moscow Philharmonic Society and I decided to reschedule the contest to the last decade of August 2020 in Moscow. The format and concert venues of the competition remain the same as they were originally designated. All applications that have already been submitted to the competition remain valid. At the same time, we continue to receive new application from all over the world, because we are well aware that in these difficult days, many people did not have the opportunity to record their performance and submit the necessary documents. Please, apply and send video with your performance. We are waiting for you here in Moscow this August. ...

Unfortunately I won’t go to my American tour this time, because today in the morning the temperature’s risen sharply, my throat’s started to ache. You know how rarely I cancel my concerts, how important it is for me to be able to go on stage every day and meet my audience all over the world. Until the last moment, I hoped that three days of concerts with V. Gergiev and my favorite New York Philharmonic orchestra at Lincoln center in the United States would take place, no matter what. But today my doctor diagnosed acute pharyngitis and forbade a long flight, as there is a high risk of complications, especially on eardrums, which can have really heavy consequences in future for my health. Once again, I apologize to the American public and look forward to meeting them in February 2021. ...