Leif Ove Andsnes

The Wall Street Journal has called Leif Ove Andsnes “one of the most gifted musicians of his generation”.

With his commanding technique and searching interpretations, the celebrated Norwegian pianist has won worldwide acclaim. As well as giving recitals and playing concertos each season in the world’s leading concert halls and with the foremost orchestras, he is also an active recording artist, as well as an avid chamber musician.

He has been nominated for seven Grammys and awarded many international prizes, including five Gramophone Awards. Saluting his many achievements, Vanity Fair named Andsnes one of the “Best of the Best” in 2005.

Andsnes was born in Karmøy, Norway in 1970, and studied at the Bergen Music Conservatory under the renowned Norwegian-Czech professor Jiři Hlinka. Over the past decade, he has also received invaluable advice from the Belgian piano teacher Jacques de Tiège. Andsnes currently lives in Copenhagen and Bergen. He is a Professor at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo, a Visiting Professor at the Royal Music Conservatory of Copenhagen, and a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music.

Leif Ove Andsnes will sit in the jury for the final only.