Israeli pianist wins Queen Elisabeth contest
Boris Giltburg lauded by jury of one of world's most prestigious music competitions for demonstrating 'perfect technical abilities and emotion'
Giltburg, 28, was born in Moscow and lives in Tel Aviv. Two years ago, he won the second prize in the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition.
'Very grateful to the jury.' Boris Giltburg (Photo: EPA)
Six pianists from different countries reached the final stage of the competition, considered one of the most important and prestigious in the world. The finalists, which included only one woman, performed a Beethoven sonata and a Rachmaninoff concerto.
The Queen Elisabeth Competition, which is marking its 75th anniversary, has led over the years to international solo careers. Each year is it dedicated to performers and creators from one of four different disciplines in the field of classical music: Violin, piano, composition and voice/singing. The winner receives a prize worth € 25,000 (about $32,500).
Throughout the years, Giltburg has performed as soloist with a variety of leading orchestras in Israel and abroad, and he plays regularly with the Israel Chamber Orchestra. His performance as soloist with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra opened doors to an international career for Giltburg.
The variety of orchestras he has played with include the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Orchestra of the Capitole in Toulouse, the Royal Flemish Philharmonic, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and the Prague Symphony Orchestra.
