Leif Ove Andsnes
Leif Ove Andsnes (Norwegian pronunciation: [læɪf ˈûːvə ˈɑ̂nsneːs]; born 7 April 1970) is a Norwegian pianist[1][2] and chamber musician. Andsnes has made several recordings for Virgin and EMI.[3] In 2012, Andsnes signed with Sony Classical, and recorded for the label the "Beethoven Journey" project, which included the five piano concertos with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. The works were recorded over three years, beginning with Nos. 1 and 3 in 2012, followed by Nos. 2 and 4 in 2013 and the Fifth Piano Concerto and Choral Fantasy in 2014.[4] He is represented by IMG.[5]
Leif Ove Andsnes
Biography[edit]
Andsnes was born at Karmøy and studied with Jiří Hlinka at the Bergen Music Conservatory,[1] making his debut in Oslo in 1987. He appeared at the Edinburgh Festival with the Oslo Philharmonic in 1989, and with the Cleveland Orchestra conducted by Neeme Järvi in 1990.[2]
He is renowned as a champion of the works of Edvard Grieg.[6] In 2002 he played Grieg's Piano Concerto at the Last Night of the Proms.
In November 2009, Pictures Reframed debuted at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, in which Andsnes performed Mussorgsky’s suite accompanied by five hanging panels and a rear video projection by Robin Rhode.[7] He has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Mostly Mozart Festival, and the Apple Store in New York City.[8]
Andsnes cites Dinu Lipatti, Sviatoslav Richter, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, and Géza Anda among his idols.[9]
He helped found the Risør Festival of Chamber Music in 1991 and was its artistic director until 2010.[10] In June 2012, he served as Music Director of the 2012 Ojai Music Festival.[11]
Awards[edit]
Andsnes has won many awards, including the Hindemith Prize Frankfurt (1987), Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik (1997), Gilmore Artist Award (1998), Royal Philharmonic Society Music Awards (2000) and the Gramophone Classical Music Awards (eight times). He was inducted into the Gramophone Hall of Fame in 2013. His recording of Beethoven's Piano Concertos nos. 2 and 4 with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra won both the Concerto Award and the Recording of the Year Award from the BBC Music Magazine in 2015.
Andsnes also received the prestigious Gilmore Artist Award in 1998.[12] He is one of only nine pianists to receive the award.
Andsnes has been nominated for a Grammy Award on nine occasions.