Sir András Schiff Awarded 2021 Jean Gimbel Lane Prize

Awarded by the Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University, this biennial prize honors pianists at the highest level of international recognition

Established in 2005, the award for 2020 was delayed by one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the 2021 recipient, Schiff will receive a $50,000 cash award, perform public recitals, and take part in two residencies at the Bienen School of Music. 

An internationally renowned pianist, conductor, pedagogue, and lecturer, Schiff was born in Budapest in 1953 and studied piano at the Liszt Ferenc Academy with Pál Kadosa, György Kurtág, and Ferenc Rados; and in London with George Malcom. 

"It is a great honor to receive the Jean Gimbel Lane Prize, and I am looking forward to my visits to the Northwestern campus in April and October 2022," said Schiff. "After suffering through long absences during the pandemic, it is a joy to return to live audiences and in-person lessons."

"We are honored that Sir András Schiff has accepted our invitation as the 2021 recipient of the Jean Gimbel Lane Prize in Piano Performance," said Toni-Marie Montgomery, dean of the Bienen School of Music. "Our students and faculty look forward to welcoming him to Northwestern for two exciting in-person residencies."

Previous winners of the award include Richard Goode, Stephen Hough, Yefim Bronfman, Murray Perahia, Garrick Ohlsson, Emanuel Ax, and Marc-André Hamelin.