Yefim Bronfman wins $50,000 prize in piano performance
Yefim Bronfman, one of the most dynamic keyboard artists of the day, has been awarded the $50,000 Jean Gimbel Lane Prize in Piano Performance from the Northwestern University Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music.
Previous winners in this recently established biennial award are Richard Goode (2006) and Stephen Hough (2008); the prize is named for a 1952 Northwestern alum.
As it turns out, Bronfman is due in Baltimore (like everything else this winter, subject to weather conditions) on Feb. 21 to play a recital for the Shriver Hall Concert Series. His adventurous program includes
Tchaikovsky's infrequently played Sonata in G, along with works by Beethoven, Schumann and Prokofiev.
Bronfman's particular blend of fearless virtuoisty and expressive intensity has always appealed to me. He's got the streak of individuality so crucial to making meaningful music.
Here's a sample of the talent that earned Bronfman the Lane Prize:
Comments
Though I admire Bronfman, I simply don't understand the rationale of giving monetary prizes to such well-established artists as he. According to his own website he has 44 (!) concert dates booked between January and June 2010. As a low-ball estimate, I'd imagine his fee is about $10k per night (some higher - NY Phil Tour; some lower - Shriver Hall) - Tim, feel free to correct me if you have better information - which means his gross for the 6 months is $440,000! (And that doesn't include teaching, record royalties, etc.) This is practically chump change for this guy - and could be a lifeline for 4 or 5 young pianists. Why?
Posted by: Mike | February 17, 2010 2:08 PM