Hilary Hahn Awarded 2024 Avery Fisher Prize

By Laurie Niles: Violinist Hilary Hahn was awarded the 2024 Avery Fisher Prize on Thursday evening from the stage of David Geffen Hall, following her performance of Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1 with the New York Philharmonic that launched her residency this year with the orchestra. The prize, which comes with a monetary award of $100,000, was announced by by Deborah Borda, former CEO of the New York Phil and current Chair of the Avery Fisher Artist Program. The occasion also celebrates the 50th anniversary year of the Avery Fisher Artist Program. Hahn previously had been recognized with an Avery Fisher Career Grant in 1995. "From the beginning of my career, I saw the Avery Fisher Prize as a high honor: the recipients were people who had already made a historically large impact in our field, yet had the stature, skill, and curiosity to move in any direction. When I was awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant in 1995, when I was 15, it felt like a recognition that this could someday be in my future," Hahn said. "It encouraged me to push hard to have my voice heard as an artist, to expand my horizons with new projects, and to strive to deepen the artistic meaning of my work. Having now come full circle, I feel proud of what I have achieved as an artist, and validated that that work has been seen and recognized by my community. But most important, I feel encouraged and inspired to keep forming connections and building community with audiences, composers, and fellow artists around the world." The Avery Fisher Prize has been awarded to 26 classical musicians since 1975, including eight other violinists: Leila Josefowicz (2018); Gil Shaham (2008); Joshua Bell(2007); Midori (2001); Sarah Chang, Pamela Frank, and Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg (1999); and Elmar Oliveira (1983). She will now join the Avery Fisher Artist Program’s Recommendation Board. The Avery Fisher Artist Program was established in 1974 by the late Avery Fisher as part of a major gift to Lincoln Center and serves as a monument to Fisher’s philanthropy and love of music. The program continues to provide recognition in two categories, the Prize and Career Grants, to outstanding U.S. instrumentalists and, since 2004, also chamber ensembles. You might also like:

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