Congratulations go to pianist Igor Levit, winner of the $300,000 Gilmore Artist Award, one of classical music’s most illustrious prizes. The award, bestowed every four years to a pianist, was announced Jan. 3.

Levit, 30, a Russian native and German resident, made his Chicago and Symphony Center debuts last season in an SCP Piano series recital. Previous Gilmore winners have included Piotr Anderszewski (2002), Leif Ove Andsnes (1998), Ingrid Fliter (2006) and Kirill Gerstein (2010). Presented by the Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, based in Kalamazoo, Mich., the Gilmore operates along the lines of the MacArthur “Genius” honors, in that prize is not a competition. Jury members travel incognito to concerts worldwide, “searching for an artist with the potential to make a mark on music.”

“Igor Levit is not only a superb pianist but also a deeply thoughtful and insightful artist, and he made a deep impression on all of us who followed his performances over the last three years,” said Daniel Gustin, director of the Gilmore, in a statement. “He exemplifies the pianist that the Gilmore was formed to support.”

For an interview with Levit, published last winter on Sounds & Stories, click here. Also, the New York Times just published an article about Levit, timed to his Gilmore win. In addition, Levit will sit for a live-streamed interview via the Gilmore’s site on Jan. 4, beginning at 7 p.m. (Eastern time).