Kathleen Hagerty Provost | Northwestern University
EVANSTON, Ill. — The Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University has announced that Leif Ove Andsnes will receive the 2025 Jean Gimbel Lane Prize in Piano Performance. This prestigious award includes a $75,000 cash prize, a public recital, and two residencies at the Bienen School of Music.
The Jean Gimbel Lane Prize, established in 2005, recognizes pianists who have achieved significant national and international acclaim. Previous recipients include Richard Goode (2006), Stephen Hough (2008), Yefim Bronfman (2010), Murray Perahia (2012), Garrick Ohlsson (2014), Emanuel Ax (2016), Marc-André Hamelin (2018), Sir András Schiff (2021), and Maria João Pires (2023).
“I am very honored to receive the Jean Gimbel Lane Prize,” said Andsnes. “I am very much looking forward to spending some time at Northwestern University and connecting with the students and audience there.”
Andsnes's first residency is scheduled for March 2026. During this period, he will engage with students and faculty through master classes, chamber music coaching sessions, and question-and-answer events. He will also present a public recital on March 9 as part of the Skyline Piano Artist Series at Galvin Recital Hall. His second residency is planned for February 2027.
Jonathan Bailey Holland, dean of the Bienen School of Music, remarked on Andsnes's achievements: “From his award-winning and captivating recordings to his artistic partnerships with many of the most highly respected musical institutions around the globe, Leif Ove Andsnes represents the highest level of artistry.”
Leif Ove Andsnes has been praised by major publications such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal for his exceptional piano performances. With over 50 titles in his discography spanning from Baroque to contemporary works, he has received eleven Grammy nominations among other accolades.
In addition to his solo career, Andsnes is known for his contributions to chamber music as founding director of the Rosendal Chamber Music Festival and co-artistic director of Norway’s Risør Festival of Chamber Music. He was inducted into the Gramophone Hall of Fame in 2013.
Andsnes has held prominent roles with several orchestras worldwide including Carnegie Hall’s “Perspectives” series curator role and season-long residencies with Berlin Philharmonic among others.
He resides in Bergen with his family where he serves as an artistic adviser at Prof. Jirí Hlinka Piano Academy.