Igor Levit named 2018 Gilmore Artist

Pianist Igor Levit has been named the recipient of the 2018 Gilmore Artist Award. The award is worth $300,000 and is presented every four years on a non-competitive basis to a pianist regardless of age or nationality, whose developing career may benefit from the award’s money and prestige: previous recipients include Rafał Blechacz (2014), Kirill Gerstein (2010) and Leif Ove Andsnes (1998).

‘Igor Levit is not only a superb pianist but also a deeply thoughtful and insightful artist,’ said Daniel R. Gustin, director of the Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival. ‘He exemplifies the pianist that The Gilmore was formed to support. Igor will be the final Gilmore Artist chosen during my tenure as director, and I am honoured to have led an organization that has made a significant impact on so many great pianists’ lives.’

Watch this footage from BBC Radio 3's In Tune programme where he plays the slow movement of Beethoven’s Op 31 No 2 Sonata:

And from last summer’s BBC Proms – Liszt’s transcription of Ode to Joy:

Levit remarked: ‘The news almost leaves me speechless, but I feel privileged, blessed and excited. For me, the purpose of music making and being an artist is to share – to share the past, present and future of music with my audience as best I can. This award will help me to continue on this path and broaden the possibilities of that sharing.’

For more details of his activities, see igorlevit.com and follow
@igorpianist on Twitter.

You can hear Igor Levit in recital at the Wigmore Hall, London, on 21 July 2018.

Igor Levit was Pianist magazine’s issue 84 Cover artist. The issue is still available as a back issue. 

© Felix Broede