Martha Argerich Steinway Prize
| Martha Argerich Steinway Prize | |
|---|---|
| Description | Annual piano award for outstanding young pianists |
| Location | Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg |
| Country | Germany |
| Presented by | Steinway & Sons in cooperation with the Martha Argerich Festival |
| Reward(s) | €4,000 & concerto engagement |
| First award | 2024 |
| Website | eu |
The Martha Argerich Steinway Prize (German: Martha-Argerich-Steinway-Preis) is a classical-music award created in 2024 by piano manufacturer Steinway & Sons together with Argentine pianist Martha Argerich. It is presented yearly during the Martha Argerich Festival in Hamburg, Germany, and is intended to highlight exceptional pianists under the age of 30. The winner is chosen personally by Argerich and receives €4,000 plus an invitation to perform a concerto with the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra (Symphoniker Hamburg).[1][2]
Background
The prize was conceived in 2021 as part of Steinway’s celebrations for Argerich’s 80th birthday, with the inaugural ceremony taking place on 30 June 2024 in the Great Hall of the Elbphilharmonie.[1] The second edition was held on 27 June 2025 during the festival’s “Vielklang” concert in the Laeiszhalle’s Kleiner Saal, where Argerich presented the award to pianist Jack Gao.[3]
Criteria and selection
- Eligibility: Pianists younger than 30
- Selection: Solely at the discretion of Martha Argerich
- Prize: €4,000 honorarium and a concerto appearance with the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra in the Laeiszhalle.[2]
Laureates
| Year | Laureate | Nationality | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Anton Gerzenberg | Germany | First recipient, honoured on 30 June 2024.[2][4] |
| 2025 | Jack Gao | China | Awarded on 27 June 2025.[3] |
See also
- List of classical music awards
- Steinway Artist
References
- ^ a b "Martha Argerich Steinway Prize 2024". Steinway & Sons. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
- ^ a b c "Anton Gerzenberg ist erster Preisträger des neuen Martha Argerich Steinway Preises". Karsten Witt Musik Management (in German). Retrieved 28 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Wir gratulieren Yang (Jack) Gao herzlich zum diesjährigen Martha Argerich Steinway-Preis Hamburg!". Instagram (in German). Symphoniker Hamburg. 27 June 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
- ^ "Anton Gerzenberg – Concert profile". Miami International Piano Festival. Retrieved 28 June 2025.