Birth

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March 10, 1987 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

 

Igor Levit is a world-renowned classical pianist known for his virtuosic performances and passionate interpretations of classical repertoire. Born on April 27, 1987, in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, Levit grew up in a family of musicians. His mother was a pianist and his father was a conductor, and they both encouraged him to pursue a career in music from a young age. At the age of eight, Levit moved with his family to Germany, where he began studying piano with Karl-Heinz Kämmerling at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover. He quickly showed exceptional talent and was soon performing in public concerts and competitions. In 2000, at the age of 13, he won the Silver Medal at the International Arthur Rubinstein Piano Master Competition in Tel Aviv, Israel, which launched his international career. Levit continued his studies with Kämmerling until 2003, when he moved to Hanover to study with Matti Raekallio at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover. He also studied with Hans Leygraf at the Salzburg Mozarteum and with Bernd Goetzke at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg. In 2005, Levit won the Hamamatsu International Piano Competition in Japan, which further cemented his reputation as one of the most promising young pianists of his generation. He has since performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. Levit is known for his passionate and deeply personal interpretations of classical repertoire, particularly the works of Beethoven. He has recorded several albums of Beethoven's piano sonatas, including a critically acclaimed cycle released in 2019. He has also recorded works by Bach, Schumann, and Shostakovich, among others. In addition to his performing career, Levit is also an outspoken advocate for social justice and political activism. He has been a vocal critic of the rise of far-right politics in Europe and has used his platform to speak out against racism, xenophobia, and discrimination. He has also been a strong supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement and has used his social media accounts to raise awareness of issues related to police brutality and systemic racism. Levit has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Gilmore Artist Award in 2018, which is considered one of the most prestigious awards in classical music. He was also named Artist of the Year at the 2019 Gramophone Awards and was awarded the Order of Merit of Berlin in 2020. Despite his many accomplishments, Levit remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to perform regularly and is widely regarded as one of the most exciting and innovative pianists of his generation.

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