Northwestern's Ax receives 2016 Lane Prize

Emanuel Ax will have a residency for two nonconsecutive weeks at the Biene School of Music in May 2017 and 2018.
Emanuel Ax will have a residency for two nonconsecutive weeks at the Biene School of Music in May 2017 and 2018. | File photo
Renown pianist Emanuel Ax received the 2016 Jean Gimbel Lane Prize in Piano Performance from the Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University.

As part of the $50,000 award, Ax will have a residency for two nonconsecutive weeks at the Biene School of Music in May 2017 and 2018. He will also give a public recital on May 3, 2017.

During the residency, Ax will work with faculty, studies and the community in a variety of activities, like chamber music coaching sessions, master classes and guided discussions.

The biennial prize was created in 2005 to recognize pianists with the highest levels of international and national fame. Winners include Yeifm Bronfman (2010), Richard Goode (2006), Murray Perahia (2012), Stephen Hough (2008) and Garrick Ohlsson (2014).

“I am deeply honored to receive the 2016 Jean Gimbel Lane Prize in Piano Performance and delighted to join such a distinguished group of colleagues who have received this award,” Ax said. “I eagerly look forward to spending time with the students of the Bienen School of Music during my residencies, and to yet another opportunity to perform for Chicago audiences.”