Giorgi Gigashvili wins Terence Judd-Hallé Award
Florence Lockheart
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Gigashvili was chosen from the current cohort of the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists scheme, which this year marks its 25th anniversary
The Hallé has announced that pianist Giorgi Gigashvili has been chosen by BBC Radio 3 as the latest winner of the Terence Judd-Hallé Award. The prize-winner is chosen annually from members of the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists (NGA) scheme which this year marks its 25th anniversary.
As part of his award Gigashvili receives a cash prize of £7,000 as well as performance opportunities including a chamber recital with Hallé musicians at Hallé St Peter’s, a solo recital as part of the Manchester Mid-Day Concert Series and at least one concerto performance with the Hallé at The Bridgewater Hall. The details of these engagements will be announced on 2 May.
Gigashvili said: ‘When you are at the beginning of your musical career, you are so incredibly happy and grateful for support and awards like this. I feel very honoured, it motivates me to continue and makes me happy. I also look forward to playing with the outstanding Hallé Orchestra and getting to know its musicians better. I know about the history and the tragic life of Terence and after receiving this award I became immensely touched with the feeling that he started breathing in me and now I have a duty to fulfil his ideas and dreams.’
Born in 2000 in Tbilisi, Georgia, Gigashvili studied at the Tbilisi State Conservatory and released his debut album Meeting My Shadow in April 2023. The Terence-Judd-Hallé Award is his first UK prize, having previously won prizes in Spain, Italy, Israel and Zurich.
The Terence Judd-Hallé Award honours the work and life of Terence Judd, who died in 1979 at the age of 22. The award has been presented in association with the Hallé since 1982, and was relaunched in 2021 in partnership with the BBC Radio 3 NGA scheme. It is given each year to a young pianist approaching the end of the scheme.
BBC Radio 3 and Proms controller Sam Jackson said ‘The BBC New Generation Artists scheme turns 25 this year… Our partnership with the Hallé has been crucial, and we congratulate Giorgi Gigashvili on being the next recipient of the Terence Judd-Hallé Award, following in the footsteps of Tom Borrow. The ongoing link between the New Generation Artists scheme and the Hallé will create further opportunities for collaboration with outstanding musicians, providing memorable experiences for audiences both in the concert hall and on BBC Radio 3.’
