Details of the XV International Tchaikovsky Competition have been announced with the news that the competition will be streamed live online in its entirety via Medici TV. The competition, which will take place over 18 days from June 15 to July 3, will host 120 competitors in categories for violinists, pianists, cellists and singers. The competition opens with a gala concert conducted by Valery Gergiev in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory on June 15. The winners will be revealed on July 1 with celebratory concerts featuring the winners to occur on July 2 and 3.

As the competition was launched Valery Gergiev said, 'The International Tchaikovsky Competition is already 57 years old – it is a significant age with a remarkable history. Thanks to this competition, the world has been introduced to some exceptional talents. Nowadays, audiences are ready to join us via the internet, TV broadcasts, or any other form of media communication that one might only imagine. This audience truly wishes to be part of this musical adventure.'

This year's judges include Deborah Voigt, Yuri Bashmet, last year's Gramophone Artist of the Year Leonidas Kavakos, and Thomas Quasthoff.

Van Cliburn famously won the first Tchaikovsky Competition in 1958 and the most recent pianist to win was Daniil Trifonov, who has gone on to make recordings for DG (his 'Carnegie Hall Recital' album was described by Gramophone's Harriet Smith as a 'truly exciting debut'.)

For further details about the XV International Tchaikovsky Competition visit: tchaikovskycompetition.com