Martha Argerich Steinway Prize 2024

In 2024, the Martha Argerich Steinway Prize, sponsored by Steinway & Sons, will be awarded for the first time as part of the Martha Argerich Festival Hamburg. The prizewinner is pianist Anton Gerzenberg, who of course also performed in concert during this year's festival. The award ceremony took place during the festival's closing concert on 30 June 2024 in the Great Hall of the Elbphilharmonie.

Martha Argerich and Steinway

The idea for the Martha Argerich Steinway Prize was born three years ago on the occasion of the 80th birthday of Steinway Artist Martha Argerich, with whom Steinway has had a (lifelong) heartfelt connection. It was therefore important to Steinway to support the pianist in her endeavours to support young talent. The prize is to be awarded to a pianist under the age of 30, to whom Argerich would like to draw the attention of the public and the music world. The winner of the prize will be chosen personally and solely by Martha Argerich. The winner of the Martha Argerich Steinway Prize will also have the opportunity to perform at a concert with the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra in the Laeiszhalle Hamburg.

Prizewinner Anton Gerzenberg

The prizewinner in 2024 is Anton Gerzenberg, who already won first prize at the Concours Géza Anda 2021 in Zurich. Anton Gerzenberg is characterised by his unique virtuosity and his unusually broad repertoire and also has a pronounced expertise in contemporary music. A thoroughbred musician with a fascinating personality at the piano, who — Martha Argerich is convinced — has a great career ahead of him.

Martha Argerich and Anton Gerzenberg

At the same time, there is a very personal story in the connection between Martha Argerich and Anton Gerzenberg. Martha Argerich has followed Anton Gerzenberg's musical development since childhood. He asked her for advice early on, for example for the Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1, which he learnt as a child. With this very piano concerto, Anton Gerzenberg wins first prize in the final of the Concours Géza Anda in Zurich on Martha Argerich's 80th birthday, which both fall on the same day, in this prestigious piano competition. He then receives a phone call from Argerich saying that he is giving her a wonderful birthday present. The awarding of the Martha Argerich Steinway Prize closes a wonderful circle of close ties and mutual recognition.

Photos: Daniel Dittus