TOCCATA - INTERNATIONAL TCHAIKOVSKY COMPETITION

Jaan Rääts Toccata - Compulsory piece for the International Tchaikovsky Competition

Jaan Rääts piano piece "Toccata" (1968) is the only work in Estonian music so far to have been selected by the jury headed by Emil Gilels as a compulsory piece for the International Tchaikovsky Competition of 1970. The work was first performed as a compulsory piece at the 1968 Republican Piano Competition. The work has been performed by top pianists in Estonia and around the world - Ada Kuuseoks, Lauri Väinmaa, Matti Reimann, Johan Randvere, John Lill (winner of the competition), Cyprien Katsaris, Castro and others.

The Toccata was first performed as a compulsory piece at the first Estonian Republican Piano Competition in Tallinn, 15-25 April 1968, with 21 pianists participating.

The winners of the competition were
Matti Reimann ( I prize)
Ada Kuuseoks-Jõgi (II prize).
Eugen Kelder (III prize)
Leelo Kõlar, Vaike Vahi, Taissia Filippova, Rein Rannap (Diploma).

The 1970 International Tchaikovsky Competition was attended by 87 pianists from all continents of the world.

The winners of the competition from foreign countries were John Lill (England, 1st prize).
Horacio Gutierrez (USA, II Prize)
Arthur Moreira-Lima (Brazil, III Prize)
Vladimir Krainev from the USSR won the gold medal.
and Viktoria Postnikova won the bronze medal.

Jury: Emil Gilels (URSS) (president of the jury), Aram Khachaturian (URSS) Stasys Vainiunas (URSS) Friedrich Wührer (Áustria) Valentin Gheorghiu (Romênia) Lyuba Encheva (Bulgaria) Yakov Zak (URSS) Sequeira Costa (Portugal) Lee Hyon Ri (Coreia do Norte) Eugene List (EUA) Lev Oborin (URSS) Josef Páleníček (Tchecoslováquia) Eduardo del Pueyo (Spain) Pavel Serebryakov (URSS) Erik W. Tawaststjerna (Finland) E. Trey (Belgium) Jacques Février (France) Yakov Flier (URSS) Aram Khachaturian (URSS) Irving Heller (Canadá) ‎Lajos Hernádi (Hungary) Dieter Zechlin (Alemanha Oriental) Halina Czerny-Stefańska (Poland)

Cyprien Katsaris performing Jaan Rääts Toccata
in 1970 International Tchaikovsky Competition

Johan Randvere performing Toccata

Lauri Väinmaa performing Toccata

University of Oklahoma

Jaan Rääts: The compulsory piano piece for the International Tchaikovsky Competition was searched from all over the Soviet Union. A letter was sent also to the Ministry of Culture of the Estonian SSR asking if there was a piano piece from Estonia.
Avo Hirvesoo, who worked at the Ministry of Culture, reminded that there was such a work as Toccata. He sent the piano piece to Moscow. Emil Gilels reviewed the piece, and he visibly liked it.
Emil Gilels chose the Toccata as a compulsory piece for the International Tchakovsky Competition.
All participants had to play the Tokaata in the second round.
I myself was at the competition in Moscow but i did not decide on the results.
First prize was also awarded for the compulsory piece.
The prize was won by Viktoria Postnikova.

Jaan Rääts Toccata - Compulsory piece for the ​International Tchaikovsky Competition

Jaan Rääts Toccata - Compulsory piece for the International Tchaikovsky Competition