Benedict Kloeckner competes in the XVI International Tchaikovsky Competition in Russia today

German cellist Benedict Kloeckner competes today in the First Round of the XVI International Tchaikovsky Competition which takes place in the Small Hall of the Shostakovich St. Petersburg Academic Phiharmonia.

The competition, which runs every four years, is now in its 16th edition, and takes place in Moscow and St. Petersburg from 17 - 29 June. The competition includes 228 selected competitors, aged 16 to 32, across a range of disciplines including piano, violin, cello, voice, woodwinds, and brass.

Kloeckner will perform the following programme in a bid to make it to the semi-finals:
J.S. Bach Suite No. 6 in D Major for solo cello, BWV 1012
Piatti Caprice No. 3 in B-flat Major for solo cello, Op. 25
Shostakovich Sonata for Cello and Piano in D Minor, Op. 40
Tchaikovsky Pezzo capriccioso, Op. 62

His performance will be broadcast on medici.tv at 19:50 UK-time here!

The semi-finals will be held on 21 and 22 June, and the finals on 25, 26, and 27 June. All performances will be broadcast live on medici.tv.

Find out more about the competition here!