World-renowned pianist Martha Argerich awarded Trinity Laban Honorary Fellowship

On Sunday 23 February, Trinity Laban trustee and Controller of BBC Radio 3 and the BBC Proms, Sam Jackson, bestowed virtuoso pianist Martha Argerich with an Honorary Fellowship award. The award was presented after her concert with Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra at Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford.

Each year, a small and select number of fellowship awards are made to distinguished creative people in the arts. Previous Honorary Fellows have included, Sir George Benjamin, Dame Cleo Laine, the Kronos Quartet, Sir Matthew Bourne, Ravi Shankar, and Dame Emma Kirkby.

Born in Argentina, Martha Argerich has been performing professionally since the age of eight. At just 16, she won two prestigious competitions: the Geneva International Music Competition and the Busoni International Piano Competition. In 1965, she came first in the Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw – and the following year, made her debut in America. Her exceptionally brilliant technique, combined with the emotional depth of her playing, very quickly won her an enthusiastic international following.

Martha Argerich has performed around the world and dedicated much of her career to collaborative chamber music. She’s been the recipient of many honours and prizes, including three GRAMMY Awards, and a Kennedy Center Honor. In 2023, she received the National Order of the Legion of Honour, the highest French order of merit.

Martha Argerich was nominated for the award by Trinity Laban Piano Professor, Gabriele Baldocci, who said: “Martha Argerich has been a guiding light in my musical journey. Playing alongside her has been one of the greatest privileges of my career, and I owe so much of my path as a pianist to her generosity, inspiration, and unique artistry. This Honorary Fellowship is a well-deserved recognition of her extraordinary impact on the world of music, and I am delighted to see her receive it.”

Special thanks to Maestro Marios Papadopoulos and the team at Oxford Philharmonic Orchesta for their support in arranging the presentation of this award.

Photography credit for both images: Nicholas Posner