Igor Levit: Pianist & Advocate for Change

About the Video

Pianist Igor Levit came to Princeton University Concerts’ Healing with Music series to join journalist Deborah Amos for a conversation about how he uses his platform and artistry to respond to global crises including antisemitism and issues of social justice on November 3, 2024. This film, produced by Princeton University Concerts, introduced this event.

At a time when very few artists take a clear political stand, Igor Levit speaks out on social and political issues often – on his social media channels, as a frequent guest on prominent European talk shows, playing at the national convention in Germany, performing at demonstrations on behalf of social inclusion, protesting climate change at his concerts, dedicating his albums to social causes, playing living room concerts on Twitter, and more. His commitment to using his platform and artistry for the betterment of the world has earned him the International Beethoven Prize for Human Rights, Statue B of the International Auschwitz Committee, and Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. This has also come at a cost — Levit has played under police protection after receiving antisemitic death threats.