Godparent Igor Levit

Igor Levit, born in Russia in 1987, received his first piano lessons at the age of three – from his mother, also a pianist. He gave his first solo concert at just four years old. In 1995 he moved with his Jewish family from Nizhny Novgorod to Hanover. For one year he took piano lessons at the Salzburg Mozarteum, before beginning his studies at the Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media (HMTMH). Levit was just 13 years old. A child prodigy and exceptional pianist, today he is also known for his strong political voice, speaking out against xenophobia and anti-Semitism. The celebrated world-class pianist has been performing internationally since 2010.

He first played on the stage of the Elbphilharmonie shortly after its opening, in March 2017, standing in for Lang Lang when the musician fell ill. With its fantastic, open and warm atmosphere, for him personally this concert counts as one of his “unforgettable evenings”.

For Levit, the curved music stand in the form of the Elbphilharmonie is a particularly beautiful element of the Steinway & Sons Elbphilharmonie Limited Edition. What counts most for the piano’s godparent, however, is what lies behind it: the human element and the goal associated with this limited edition, namely the support of young artists by the Elbphilharmonie Foundation. “I speak from my own experience,” says Levit, “one supports artists in finding their own voice” and thereby gifts them valuable freedom. Even a political culture cannot be fostered and brought to life without culture. The promotion of culture is “as essential as breathing, for every society”. The Steinway, on the other hand, as an instrument “strong in will and character”, helps musicians to find their very own sound, their own voice.