Pure Sound Award: A New Stage in the Development of Russian Academic Music

On June 5, 2025, the third annual international award “Clean Sound” was held at the TASS press center, established by the Russian Music Union (RMS) with the support of the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives. The award is aimed at identifying the leaders of the Russian recording industry and evaluating music releases created in the teamwork of authors, performers, sound engineers, producers and publishers.

This year’s competition attracted more than 200 entries from 26 regions of Russia and other countries, indicating the growing popularity of the award. The jury, headed by Alexander Tchaikovsky, head of the Department of Composition of the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, evaluated works in the following categories: opera, choral works, orchestral music, chamber vocal music, instrumental ensembles, solo music and restoration of archival records.

Participants discussed current trends in education, including the growing level of training of sound engineers, as well as the impact of neural networks and artificial intelligence on the sound industry. Particular attention was paid to the possibility of using sound recordings to expand the audience and improve the quality of music perception by listeners.

The Pure Sound Award has become not just a platform for evaluating creative works, but a whole movement uniting professionals, organizing seminars and symposiums. The gala concert with the award ceremony and the presentation of special prizes will be held on June 17 at the Theatre Center “On the Swimming”. The finalists of each nomination will receive cash prizes and recognition in the professional community.