Abstract. The International P.I. Tchaikovsky Competition is one of the most significant music competitions not only in the Russian Federation but also worldwide, alongside such competitions as the Queen Elisabeth Competition, the Bach Competition, the Cleveland International Piano Competition, and many others. Performers and musicians of various disciplines strive to demonstrate their mastery, instrumental proficiency, and artistic vision of the pieces they perform by participating in this competition. This article analyzes the historical aspects of the competition's formation and development, the specifics of its organization, and the radical transformation of certain aspects, which undoubtedly had a positive impact on the quality of the event. The impartiality of the authors' historical and artistic analysis is evidenced by the wide range of opinions expressed by Russian and international cultural figures and performers regarding the Competition throughout the nearly seventy-year history of this world-class music competition.

Keywords: International P.I. Tchaikovsky Competition, performance mastery, classical music, music competition, pianists.