PianistNorwegianClassicalMusician

Leif Ove Andsnes

Leif Ove Andsnes is a highly acclaimed Norwegian virtuoso pianist and chamber musician known for his extensive recordings, wide repertoire, and artistic directorship roles.

1. Overview

Leif Ove Andsnes
Leif Ove Andsnes

Leif Ove Andsnes (læɪf ˈûːvə ˈɑnsneːslayf OO-veh AHNDS-nessNorwegian; born April 7, 1970) is a highly acclaimed Norwegian pianist and chamber musician. Widely regarded as one of Northern Europe's foremost virtuoso pianists, Andsnes has built a distinguished career marked by extensive recordings for labels like Virgin, EMI, and most notably, Sony Classical. His prominent projects include "The Beethoven Journey," a comprehensive recording of Beethoven's five piano concertos, which garnered significant critical acclaim and multiple awards. Beyond his prolific recording output, Andsnes is celebrated for his wide-ranging repertoire, his deep commitment to Grieg's works, and his influential roles as an artistic director in the classical music world.

2. Biography

Leif Ove Andsnes's life in music began in Norway and quickly expanded to the international stage, shaped by his rigorous education and early professional successes.

2.1. Early Life and Education

Andsnes was born on April 7, 1970, in Karmøy, Norway. He received his formative musical education at the Bergen Music Conservatory, where he studied under the influential teacher Jiří Hlinka. Throughout his development, Andsnes has cited several renowned pianists as his idols, including Dinu Lipatti, Sviatoslav Richter, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, and Géza Anda.

2.2. Early Career and Debut

Andsnes made his professional debut in Oslo in 1987. This early success was quickly followed by international appearances that established his presence on the global classical music scene. He performed at the Edinburgh Festival with the Oslo Philharmonic in 1989 and with the Cleveland Orchestra, conducted by Neeme Järvi, in 1990. His early career also included recitals in major European cities such as Amsterdam, Bologna, London, and Munich, showcasing his burgeoning talent and wide appeal.

3. Career Highlights and Artistic Contributions

Andsnes's career has been defined by a series of significant performances, ambitious recording projects, and influential leadership roles, solidifying his status as a leading figure in classical music.

3.1. Major Performances and Projects

Andsnes is known for his extensive concert appearances at prestigious venues and festivals worldwide. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Mostly Mozart Festival, and even at the Apple Store in New York City. In 2002, he notably performed Grieg's Piano Concerto at the Last Night of the Proms, one of the most celebrated classical music events.

A landmark project in his career was "The Beethoven Journey," an initiative in which he recorded all five of Beethoven's piano concertos with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. These works were released by Sony Classical over three years, beginning with Concertos Nos. 1 and 3 in 2012, followed by Nos. 2 and 4 in 2013, and concluding with the Fifth Piano Concerto and the Choral Fantasy in 2014.

In November 2009, Andsnes premiered Pictures Reframed at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall. This innovative project featured Andsnes performing Mussorgsky's suite Pictures at an Exhibition, accompanied by five hanging panels and a rear video projection created by the artist Robin Rhode.

Andsnes has also had a significant presence in Japan. In 2008, he held a recital on October 21. During his autumn 2011 tour, he performed the challenging Piano Concerto No. 3 by Rachmaninoff with the NHK Symphony Orchestra under Honorary Conductor Herbert Blomstedt. This performance, which featured the "Ossià" or "Great Cadenza" for the first movement, took place on September 16, 2011, as part of the 1707th regular concert at NHK Hall, and was broadcast live on NHK-FM's "Best of Classic" program. For an encore at this concert, Andsnes performed a piece from Grieg's Lyric Pieces.

3.2. Musical Style and Repertoire

Andsnes is particularly renowned as a dedicated champion of the works of Edvard Grieg. His commitment to Grieg's music is exemplified by his recordings made on the composer's own grand piano. Beyond Grieg, Andsnes possesses an exceptionally broad repertoire, spanning numerous classical and romantic composers. His mastery extends to works by Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Schumann, Liszt, Janáček, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, Nielsen, and Stravinsky.

3.3. Festival and Artistic Directorship

Andsnes has made significant contributions to the organizational and artistic direction of classical music festivals. He was a co-founder of the Risør Festival of Chamber Music in 1991 and served as its artistic director until 2010. In June 2012, he took on the role of Music Director for the 2012 Ojai Music Festival.

4. Awards and Recognition

Leif Ove Andsnes has received numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout his career, recognizing his exceptional artistry and contributions to classical music. These include:

  • The Hindemith Prize Frankfurt (1987)
  • The Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik (German Record Critics' Award) (1997)
  • The Norwegian Critics' Prize
  • The Los Angeles Dorothy Chandler Award
  • The Gilmore Artist Award (1998), making him one of only nine pianists to ever receive this distinguished honor.
  • The Royal Philharmonic Society Music Awards (2000)
  • The Gramophone Classical Music Awards, which he has won eight times, including the Best Instrumental Work in 2002.
  • Induction into the Gramophone Hall of Fame (2013).

In 2015, his recording of Beethoven's Piano Concertos Nos. 2 and 4, performed with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, earned both the Concerto Award and the Recording of the Year Award from the BBC Music Magazine. Andsnes has also received nine Grammy Award nominations. He is a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music.

5. Discography

Leif Ove Andsnes has an extensive discography across various record labels, showcasing his diverse repertoire and collaborative efforts.

5.1. Studio Albums

His principal studio albums released by various record labels, including major projects, are listed below chronologically:

  • 1987: Chopin - Smetana - Beethoven: Sonatas etc. (Vest-Norsk Plateselskap 0087-14)
  • 1989: Nielsen: The Wind Chamber Music (BIS-CD-428)
  • 1990: Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3/Symphony No. 7 (Simax PSC 1060)
  • 1990: Chopin/Schumann: Cello Sonata, Adagio & Allegro etc. (Simax PSC 1063)
  • 1991: Chopin - Smetana - Beethoven: Sonatas etc. (Vest-Norsk Plateselskap 0091-0023)
  • 1991: Grieg: Piano Concerto • Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 2 (Virgin Classics 0777 7596132 4)
  • 1991: Janáček: Piano Sonata 1.X.1905 • In the Mists etc. (Virgin Classics 0777 7596392 2)
  • 1992: Chopin: The Piano Sonatas (Virgin Classics 0777 7590722 3)
  • 1993: Grieg: Piano Sonata/Lyric Pieces (Virgin Classics 0777 7 59300 2 3)
  • 1993: Brahms/Schumann: Viola Sonatas, Märchenbilder (Virgin Classics 0 777 7 59309 2 4)
  • 1995: Janáček • Debussy • Ravel • Nielsen: Violin Sonatas (Virgin Classics 7243 5 45122 2 3)
  • 1995: Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3 (Virgin Classics 7243 5 45173 2 7)
  • 1996: Nielsen: Piano Pieces (Virgin Classics 7243 5 45129 2 6)
  • 1997: Schumann: Piano Sonata No. 1 • Fantasy (EMI Classics 7243 5 56414 2 7)
  • 1998: The long, long winter night (EMI Classics 7243 5 56541 2)
  • 1998: Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1, etc. (EMI Classics 7243 5 56583 2 6)
  • 1999: Szymanowski: Król Roger • Symphony No. 4 (EMI Classics 7243 5 56823 2 1)
  • 1999: Rachmaninov: Songs (EMI Classics 7243 5 56814 2 3)
  • 1999: Haydn: Piano Sonatas (EMI Classics 7243 5 56756 2 0)
  • 1999: Britten • Shostakovich • Enescu (EMI Classics 7243 5 56760 2 3)
  • 2000: Haydn: Piano Concertos Nos. 3, 4 & 11 (EMI Classics 7243 5 56960 2 1)
  • 2001: Liszt: Piano Recital (EMI Classics 7243 5 57002 2 3)
  • 2002: Grieg: Lyric Pieces (EMI Classics 7243 5 57296 2 0)
  • 2002: Schubert: Piano Sonata, D. 959 • 4 Lieder (EMI Classics 7243 5 57266 2 9)
  • 2003: Schubert: Piano Sonata, D. 850 • 9 Lieder (EMI Classics 7243 5 57460 2 3)
  • 2003: Grieg • Schumann • Piano Concertos (EMI Classics 7243 5 57486 2 1)
  • 2003: Dvořák: Violin Concerto • Piano Quintet (EMI Classics 7243 5 57439 2 3)
  • 2004: Mozart: Piano Concertos 9 & 18 (EMI Classics 7243 5 57803 2 4)
  • 2004: Schubert: Winterreise (EMI Classics 7243 5 57790 2 1)
  • 2004: Bartók: Violin Sonatas (EMI Records Ltd/Virgin Classics 7243 5 45668 2 0)
  • 2005: Bartók: The Piano Concertos (Deutsche Grammophon 289 477 5330)
  • 2005: Schubert: Piano Sonata D960 • 3 Lieder (EMI Classics 7243 5 57901 2 5)
  • 2005: Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos 1 & 2 (EMI Classics 7243 4 74813 2 1)
  • 2006: Horizons (EMI Classics 0946 3 41682 2 9)
  • 2007: Schubert: Piano Sonata D958 • Lieder • Fragments (EMI Classics 0946 3 84321 2 8)
  • 2007: Ballad for Edvard Grieg (EMI Classics 0946 3 94399 2 8 / EMI Classics 0946 3 94399 5 9 (Digital))
  • 2007: Schumann • Brahms: Piano Quintets (Virgin Classics 00946 395143 5 9 (Digital))
  • 2008: Mozart: Piano Concertos 17 & 20 (EMI Classics 50999 5 00281 2 2)
  • 2008: Schubert: Lieder (EMI Classics 50999 5 16443 2 1)
  • 2009: Shadows Of Silence (EMI Classics 5099926418223 / EMI Classics 5099926418254 (Digital))
  • 2009: Mussorgsky: Pictures • Schumann: Kinderszenen (EMI Classics 50999 6 98360 2 2)
  • 2010: Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos 3 & 4 (EMI Classics 50999 6 40516 2 8)
  • 2011: Schumann: Complete works for Piano Trio (EMI Classics 50999 0 94180 2 8)
  • 2012: The Beethoven Journey: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 3 (Sony Classical 87254 20582)
  • 2014: The Beethoven Journey: Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 4 (Sony Classical 88837 05482)
  • 2014: The Beethoven Journey: Piano Concerto No. 5 • Choral Fantasy (Sony Classical 88843 058862)
  • 2017: Sibelius (Sony Classical 88985 408502)
  • 2018: Chopin (Sony Classical)
  • 2021: Mozart Momentum - 1785 (Sony Classical)
  • 2022: Mozart Momentum - 1786 (Sony Classical)

5.2. Other Recordings

Andsnes's discography also includes appearances on compilations, re-releases, and collaborations with other artists.

5.2.1. LPs

  • Chopin - Smetana - Beethoven: Sonatas etc. (1987) Vest-Norsk Plateselskap 0087-14

5.2.2. Miscellaneous CDs

  • Movements (1993)
    • Features Andsnes alongside Antonsen, Mørk, and Thorsen (EMI Norsk AS SKR 0001). Andsnes is represented with five piano pieces previously released on Virgin Classics 0777 7 59300 2 3 (1993).
  • Andsnes, Antonsen, Mørk (1995)
    • (EMI Classics 7243 5 55576 2 9). Andsnes is represented with miscellaneous piano pieces previously released on Virgin Classics 0777 7596132 4 (1991), Virgin Classics 0777 7596392 2 (1991), and Virgin Classics 0777 7590722 3 (1992).
  • Grieg: Piano Concerto in A Minor - Symphony in C Minor (1995)
    • Featuring the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and Dmitri Kitajenko (Edvard Grieg Museum • Trold 08). Andsnes is represented with Grieg's piano concerto, previously released on Virgin Classics 0777 7596132 4 (1991).
  • Chopin for Dummies (1996)
    • A compilation featuring various pianists (EMI Classics 7243 5 66273 0 7). Andsnes is represented with Chopin's 'Mazurka In A Minor, Op. 17 Nr. 4', previously released on Virgin Classics 0777 7590722 3 (1992).
  • Classical Sounds of Norway (1996)
    • A compilation featuring various artists (Bare Bra Musikk AS BBCD 2001). Andsnes is represented with the first movement of Grieg's piano concerto, previously released on Virgin Classics 0777 7596132 4 (1991).
  • Delft Chamber Music Festival - Pettersson/Stravinsky/Schubert (1998)
    • A compilation featuring various artists (Koch Classics 3-1651-2). Andsnes is represented with Schubert's 'Nocturne in E-flat, D 897', a piece previously unreleased.
  • En annen sol (2000)
    • By the group Vamp (MajorStudio MSCD 1147). Andsnes plays together with singer Anne Grete Preus on the previously unreleased song 'En annen sol'.
  • Leif Ove Andsnes • A Portrait (2001)
    • A 2-CD compilation featuring miscellaneous artists (EMI Classics 7243 5 74789 2 2). All works on this album were previously released on EMI Classics.
  • Piano Nocturnes (2001)
    • A 2-CD compilation featuring various pianists (EMI Records Ltd/Virgin Classics 7243 5 61952 2 6). Andsnes is represented with previously released works on Virgin Classics 0777 7596392 2 (1991) and Virgin Classics 0777 7 59300 2 3 (1993).
  • Grieg: Lyric Pieces (2002)
    • (Edvard Grieg Museum • Trold 16). This is a relaunch of EMI Classics 7243 5 57296 2 0 (2002).
  • Best of 2002 (2002)
    • A compilation featuring various artists (Classic fm CFMACD92). Andsnes is represented with Grieg's 'Wedding Day At Troldhaugen, Op. 65 Nr. 6', previously released on EMI Classics 7243 5 57296 2 0 (2002).
  • Editor's Choice • The Top Ten Discs of July 2003 (2003)
    • A compilation featuring various artists (Gramophone GCD0703). Andsnes is represented with the fourth movement from Schubert's 'Piano sonata in D, D850', previously released on EMI Classics 7243 5 57509 2 1 (2003).
  • Editor's Choice • The Top Ten Discs of September 2004 (2004)
    • A compilation featuring various artists (Gramophone GCD0904). Andsnes is represented with works previously released on EMI Records Ltd/Virgin Classics 7243 5 45668 2 0 (2004) and EMI Classics 7243 5 57790 2 1 (2004).
  • Venn (2005)
    • A 2-CD compilation featuring various Norwegian artists (Universal Music). Andsnes is represented with Geirr Tveitt's 'Welcome with honor', previously released on EMI Classics 7243 5 56542 2 9 (1998).
  • Editor's Choice • The Top Ten Discs of November 2005 (2005)
    • A compilation featuring various artists (Gramophone GCD1105). Andsnes is represented with the second movement of Rachmaninov's 'Piano Concerto No. 1', previously released on EMI Classics 7243 4 74813 2 1 (2005).
  • Editor's Choice • The Top Ten Discs of August 2006 (2006)
    • A compilation featuring various artists (Gramophone GCD0806). Andsnes is represented with a conversation about Grieg, together with Rob Cowan, which was previously unreleased.

5.2.3. DVDs

  • The Verbier Festival & Academy 10th Anniversary Piano Extravaganza (2004) (RCA Red Seal), featuring various pianists.
  • Leif Ove Andsnes plays Bach & Mozart (2005) (EMI Classics 0946 3 10436 9 7), featuring the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra.

6. Filmography

Leif Ove Andsnes has appeared in the following films and documentaries:

  • Concerto: A Beethoven Journey (2015) as himself.

7. Personal Life

Leif Ove Andsnes is partnered with Ragnhild Lothe, a Norwegian horn player. They have three children.

8. Critical Reception and Legacy

Leif Ove Andsnes is consistently praised for his musicality, interpretive depth, and versatility. He is recognized as one of the leading virtuoso pianists from Northern Europe, and his performances and recordings are frequently met with critical acclaim. His "Beethoven Journey" project, in particular, was a significant undertaking that further solidified his reputation as a thoughtful and masterful interpreter of core classical repertoire. His advocacy for the works of Edvard Grieg, coupled with his extensive and varied discography spanning numerous composers from Haydn to Bartók, highlights his broad artistic scope and commitment to both established and lesser-known works. Andsnes's involvement as an artistic director for various music festivals also underscores his dedication to fostering chamber music and enriching the classical music community, leaving a lasting legacy in piano performance and musical leadership.