Leif Ove Andsnes

Leif Ove Andsnes (Norwegian pronunciation: [læɪf ˈûːvə ˈɑ̂nsneːs]; born 7 April 1970) is a Norwegian pianist and chamber musician. Andsnes has made several recordings for Virgin and EMI. In 2012, Leif Ove Andsnes has signed to Sony Classical, and recorded for the label the "Beethoven Journey" project, which included the composer's five piano concertos with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. The works were recorded over three years, beginning with Piano Concertos Nos 1 and 3 in 2012, followed by Concertos Nos 2 and 4 in 2013 and the Fifth Piano Concerto and Choral Fantasy in 2014. He is represented by IMG. Andsnes was born at Karmøy and studied with Jiří Hlinka at the Bergen Music Conservatory, making his debut in Oslo in 1987. He appeared in Britain at the Edinburgh Festival with the Oslo Philharmonic in 1989, and in the United States with the Cleveland Orchestra conducted by Neeme Järvi in 1990.He is renowned as a champion of the works of Edvard Grieg. In 2002 he played Grieg's Piano Concerto at the Last Night of the Proms.

In November 2009, Pictures Reframed debuted at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, in which Andsnes performed Mussorgsky’s suite accompanied by five hanging panels and a rear video projection by Robin Rhode.

He has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Mostly Mozart Festival, and the Apple Store in New York City.Andsnes cites Dinu Lipatti, Sviatoslav Richter, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli and Géza Anda amongst his idols.He helped found the Risør Festival of Chamber Music in 1991 and held the position of Artistic Director for the festival until 2010. In June 2012, he served as Music Director of the 2012 Ojai Music Festival.