Classical Cash

 
For pianist Kirill Gerstein it was the surprise of a lifetime — and a good one. The Russian-born musician thought he was headed to an interview, but the “interviewer” had some news for Gerstein: He had just won the $300,000 Gilmore Artist Award, an elite grant given every four years. Kirill is the sixth musicians to join the prestigious group of pianists, which so far includes England’s David Owen Norris and Ingrid Fliter of Argentina. The award money is split up into two sums — $50,000 to spend any way the artist sees fit and the rest must be spent on furthering the artist’s career. Not too shabby. [New York Times]  

 
For more on the contemporary classical scene check out Music+Travel Worldwide, where Alexandra Ivanoff is your guide to Istanbul’s thriving classical musical scene.
 
image: Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times