Birth

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June 11, 1990 in Tauragė, Lithuania

 

Martynas Levickis is a Lithuanian classical music artist who has gained international recognition for his virtuosic accordion performances. Born on May 18, 1990, in Vilnius, Lithuania, Levickis began playing the accordion at the age of six. He was inspired by his grandfather, who was also an accordion player, and his parents, who were both music teachers. Levickis showed exceptional talent from a young age and began competing in accordion competitions at the age of eight. He won his first national competition at the age of nine and went on to win numerous other competitions in Lithuania and abroad. Levickis also studied classical piano and music theory at the National M.K. Ciurlionis School of Art in Vilnius. In 2009, Levickis was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied under the renowned accordionist Owen Murray. During his time at the academy, Levickis won several awards, including the Derek Butler London Prize for accordion performance and the Harold Clarke Music Prize. Levickis made his professional debut in 2010 at the Wigmore Hall in London, where he performed a solo recital to critical acclaim. He has since performed at some of the world's most prestigious concert halls, including the Royal Albert Hall, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Carnegie Hall in New York. Levickis has collaborated with many leading orchestras and conductors, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra. He has also worked with renowned soloists such as Maxim Vengerov and Nicola Benedetti. In addition to his classical repertoire, Levickis is also known for his innovative arrangements of popular music. He has performed covers of songs by artists such as Queen, Michael Jackson, and Daft Punk, which have gained millions of views on YouTube. Levickis has released several albums, including his debut album "Martynas" in 2012, which reached number one on the UK classical charts. His second album, "Martynas Plays Accordion," was released in 2014 and features a mix of classical and popular music. Levickis has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. In 2012, he was named the Lithuanian Artist of the Year and was awarded the Lithuanian National Prize for Culture and Arts. He has also been awarded the Young Musician of the Year award by the Lithuanian National Radio and Television and the International Accordion Competition in Castelfidardo, Italy. Levickis is a passionate advocate for the accordion and has worked to promote the instrument's status in the classical music world. He has commissioned new works for the accordion and has collaborated with composers such as Vytautas Barkauskas and Raminta Serksnyte. In addition to his performing career, Levickis is also a dedicated teacher and has given masterclasses and workshops around the world. He is currently a professor of accordion at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen. Martynas Levickis is a true ambassador for the accordion and has brought the instrument to new heights of recognition and respect in the classical music world. His virtuosic performances and innovative arrangements have captivated audiences around the world, and his dedication to promoting the accordion as a serious instrument has inspired a new generation of accordion players.

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