# Michele Levin

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**Michele Wendlyn Levin** (born 1945) is an American [classical pianist](/source/Pianist) and [composer](/source/Composer) based out of [New York City](/source/New_York_City),[1] renowned for her interpretations of the music of [Johann Sebastian Bach](/source/Johann_Sebastian_Bach).[2][3]

As an orchestral soloist, she has performed with the [Philadelphia Orchestra](/source/Philadelphia_Orchestra),[4] [Boston Pops Orchestra](/source/Boston_Pops), [Florida Philharmonic Orchestra](/source/Florida_Philharmonic_Orchestra), [New World Symphony](/source/New_World_Symphony_(orchestra)), [Albany Symphony Orchestra](/source/Albany_Symphony_Orchestra), [Virginia Symphony Orchestra](/source/Virginia_Symphony_Orchestra), and many more,[5][6] regularly touring throughout the [United States](/source/United_States), [Canada](/source/Canada), [Europe](/source/Europe), [Asia](/source/Asia), and [Central](/source/Central_America) and [South America](/source/South_America). The [Curtis Institute of Music](/source/Curtis_Institute_of_Music) lists her as a notable alum,[7] and she was described as "a highly musical pianist" by [Bernard Holland](/source/Bernard_Holland) in *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times).*[8]

## Early life

Levin was born in [Miami, Florida](/source/Miami) in 1945, and her father, Dr. Herbert Levin, was a dentist. She showed prodigious talent from a young age, picking out tunes at the piano from the age of three, and composing began soon after. Lessons began at the age of 6.[9] In 1955, her family traveled to [Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia) on the pretense of publishing her compositions. This proved successful, and the publisher contacted [Efrem Zimbalist](/source/Efrem_Zimbalist). Impressed by her playing, he offered the 10-year-old a scholarship to the [Curtis Institute of Music](/source/Curtis_Institute_of_Music). Her mother felt she should wait a year, so Levin entered at the age of 11 as a double major in both piano and composition.[9][10] At Curtis, she studied piano with [Eleanor Sokoloff](/source/Eleanor_Sokoloff), chamber music with [Vladimir Sokoloff](/source/Vladimir_Sokoloff_(pianist)),[11] and composition with [Vittorio Giannini](/source/Vittorio_Giannini).[12]

## Professional career

After winning a special composition competition award put on by the [Philadelphia Orchestra](/source/Philadelphia_Orchestra) for her 14-page *Piano Sonata* at the age of 12, she made her concerto debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Robin Hood Dell (now the [Mann Center for the Performing Arts](/source/Mann_Center_for_the_Performing_Arts)), where she performed [Beethoven](/source/Ludwig_van_Beethoven)'s [*Piano* *Concerto No. 2*](/source/Piano_Concerto_No._2_(Beethoven)) at the age of 13 under conductor Richard Korn.[13] Levin subsequently received her [diploma](/source/Diploma) in piano performance (1963) and was the first women to receive a [master's degree](/source/Master's_degree) in composition from Curtis in 1965.[1] Her compositions at Curtis included *Three Reflections for Baritone* (premiered by [William Workman](/source/William_Workman_(baritone))), and a piano trio (premiered by the composer, [Sergiu Luca](/source/Sergiu_Luca), and Russell Smith). The second movement is a homage to [former-president John F. Kennedy](/source/John_F._Kennedy), who [was assassinated earlier that year](/source/Assassination_of_John_F._Kennedy).[12]

She won the First Prize at the [Johann Sebastian Bach International Piano Competition](/source/Johann_Sebastian_Bach_International_Piano_Competition), [Washington, D.C.](/source/Washington,_D.C.) in 1964,[2] receiving mention in *[Time](/source/Time_(magazine))*.[14] Other past prize-winners have included [Ursula Oppens](/source/Ursula_Oppens), [Angela Hewitt](/source/Angela_Hewitt), [Yoheved Kaplinsky](/source/Yoheved_Kaplinsky),[15] and [Chen Pi-hsien](/source/Chen_Pi-hsien).[16] In 2014, she gave a tribute concert for pianist [Lili Kraus](/source/Lili_Kraus), of which Kraus's [Steinway](/source/Steinway_%26_Sons) was donated for the event. Kraus's daughter was in attendance.[17]

She has recorded for [Koch International](/source/Koch_Entertainment), EcoClassics, [Altarus](/source/Altarus_Records), and the [Canadian Broadcasting Companies](/source/CBC_Music).[3] and her playing has been regularly featured on [NPR](/source/NPR).[18][19]

## Collaborations

She has extensively collaborated with violinists [Joseph Silverstein](/source/Joseph_Silverstein),[7][20][21] [Ida Levin](/source/Ida_Levin),[17] [Ruggerio Ricci](/source/Ruggiero_Ricci),[17] [Joan Field](/source/Joan_Field),[22] [Nina Beilina](/source/Nina_Beilina),[8] [Joseph Genualdi](/source/Joseph_Genualdi), [Julia Sakharova](/source/Julia_Sakharova),[3] [Steven Ansell](/source/Steven_Ansell), [Mark Kaplan](/source/Mark_Kaplan_(musician)),[17] [Sergiu Luca](/source/Sergiu_Luca),[12] [Donald Weilerstein](/source/Donald_Weilerstein),[17] [Ik-Hwan Bae](/source/Ik-Hwan_Bae),[17] [Cho-Liang Lin](/source/Cho-liang_Lin),[23] [Arve Tellefson](/source/Arve_Tellefsen),[17] [Sidney Harth](/source/Sidney_Harth),[24] [Andrew Dawes](/source/Andrew_Dawes_(musician)),[17] [Yehonaton Berick](/source/Yehonatan_Berick),[17] and Angella Ang of the [Ahn Trio](/source/Ahn_Trio); with violists [Rivka Golani](/source/Rivka_Golani),[25] [Karen Dreyfus](/source/Karen_Dreyfus), [Paul Neubauer](/source/Paul_Neubauer),[17] and [Atar Arad](/source/Atar_Arad);[17] and with cellists [Yehuda Hanani](/source/Yehuda_Hanani),[17] [Ronald Thomas](/source/Ronald_Thomas_(cellist)),[17] and [Wolfgang Boettcher](/source/Wolfgang_Boettcher).[17] She has performed with clarinetists [Eli Eban](/source/Eli_Eban),[17] [James Campbell](/source/James_Campbell_(clarinetist)),[26] and [Charles Neidich](/source/Charles_Neidich);[27] with harpist [Heidi Lehwalder](/source/Heidi_Lehwalder);[17] and with flutists [Carol Wincenc](/source/Carol_Wincenc)[28] and [Eugenia Zuckerman](/source/Eugenia_Zukerman).[17] She is known for her collaborations with the [Metropolitan Opera](/source/Metropolitan_Opera) in New York, having performed with vocalists [Gwendolyn Bradley](/source/Gwendolyn_Bradley),[3] [Marvis Martin](/source/Marvis_Martin),[3] [Paul Sperry](/source/Paul_Sperry_(lyric_tenor)),[29] [Martina Arroyo](/source/Martina_Arroyo),[3] [D’Anna Fortunato](/source/D'Anna_Fortunato),[3] [Carol Farley](/source/Carole_Farley),[3] [Lucy Shelton](/source/Lucy_Shelton),[3] Judy Drucker,[30] and [Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen](/source/Aryeh_Nussbaum_Cohen).[31][32][33] The Israeli cellist Yehuda Hanani has recorded several albums with her, including *Schubert/Schumann for Cello and Piano,*[34][35] and *Dazzle and Nostalgia,*[36] which was praised by [Tim Smith](/source/Tim_Smith_(journalist)).[37][38][39] Together, they also made one of the only historic [LPs](/source/LP_record) of [Leo Ornstein](/source/Leo_Ornstein)'s *Sonata No. 1 for Cello and Piano, Op. 52,* which signed them to [Koch International](/source/Koch_Entertainment).[40][41] As a soloist, she has worked with conductors like [Leif Bjaland](/source/Leif_Bjaland) and [James Judd](/source/James_Judd). She has also played dual-piano music with [Seymour Lipkin](/source/Seymour_Lipkin), [Steven De Groote](/source/Steven_De_Groote), [Frank Cooper](/source/Frank_Cooper_(musicologist)), and [Paul Posnak](/source/Paul_Posnak).

She has performed as a guest artist at [Carnegie Hall](/source/Carnegie_Hall), [92nd Street Y](/source/92nd_Street_Y), [Alice Tully Hall](/source/Alice_Tully_Hall), [Metropolitan Museum of Art](/source/Metropolitan_Museum_of_Art), New World Festival of the Arts, and the [Chopin Foundation Festival](/source/Chopin_Foundation_of_the_United_States). Levin has been an artist in residence and toured with the internationally acclaimed [Arianna String Quartet](/source/Arianna_String_Quartet),[3] Miami Quartet,[1] and Muir Quartet,[42] which premiered her *String Quartet No.1* in 2007,[43] as well as her *Quintet for Bassoon and String Quartet.*[7][44] She also gave the world premiere of [Joan Tower](/source/Joan_Tower)'s quartet *White Granite.*[45]

## References

1. ["Levin Helpss Chamber Symphony End 15th Year"](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1996/05/15/levin-helps-chamber-symphony-end-15th-year/). *Sun Sentinel*. 1996-05-15. Retrieved 2025-12-15.

1. The Curtis Institute of Music (1974). [*Overtones fiftieth anniversary issue 1974*](http://archive.org/details/overtonesfiftiet1974curt). [Philadelphia, Pa.] : The Institute. pp. 98–99.

1. ["Chamber On The Mountain – Arianna String Quartet and Michele Levin, Pianist – December 8, 2019"](https://www.chamberonthemountain.com/arianna_levin_2019.html). *www.chamberonthemountain.com*. Retrieved 2025-12-22.

1. ["Youth Concert in Philadelphia"](https://www.nytimes.com/1958/07/17/archives/youth-concert-in-philadelphia.html). *The New York Times*. July 17, 1958.

1. ["Montana Chamber Music Summer Festival Concert"](https://www.montana.edu/calendar/events/54187). *Montana State University*. Retrieved 2025-12-13.

1. ["Arts Council of Big Sky"](https://bigskyarts.org/events/2024-montana-chamber-music-summer-festival-july-2024). *bigskyarts.org*. Retrieved 2025-12-13.

1. ["Legacy of Composition"](https://www.curtis.edu/about/history/legacy-of-composition/). *Curtis Institute of Music*. Retrieved 2025-12-13.

1. ["Music Noted in Brief; Nina Beilina Performs In a Varied Program"](https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1987/01/26/910387.html). *The New York Times*. [ISSN 0362-4331](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved 2025-12-16.

1. ["July 25, 1958 - Image 18"](https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1958.07.25.001/18). *The Detroit Jewish News Digital Archives*. Retrieved 2025-12-13.

1. ["Volume 48 No. 14 Concert Pianist Has Early Start"](https://iiif.library.cmu.edu/file/OUT_1958_048_014_08011958/OUT_1958_048_014_08011958.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com). *The American Jewish Outlook*. August 1, 1958. p. 13.

1. Curtis Institute of Music (1960). [*recital programs 1960-61; 1961-62; 1962-63*](http://archive.org/details/recitalprograms6063curt). Curtis Institute of Music [Philadelphia,Pa.]

1. Curtis Institute of Music (1963). [*Recital programs 1963-64; 1964-65; 1965-66*](http://archive.org/details/recitalprograms6366curt). Curtis Institute of Music [Philadelphia,Pa.] p. 95.

1. ["Youth Concert in Philadelphia"](https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1958/07/17/91398108.html). *The New York Times*. [ISSN 0362-4331](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved 2025-12-13.

1. ["Contests: Sex & Bach"](https://time.com/archive/6632536/contests-sex-bach/). *Time*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250615032428/https://time.com/archive/6632536/contests-sex-bach/) 2025-06-15 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-12-16.

1. ["Kaplinsky, Yoheved"](https://www.juilliard.edu/music/faculty/kaplinsky-yoheved). *www.juilliard.edu*. Retrieved 2025-12-16.

1. ["Pi-hsien Chen"](https://queenelisabethcompetition.be/en/laureates/pi-hsien-chen/) (in French). *queenelisabethcompetition.be*. Retrieved 2025-12-16.

1. ["Commemorative Concert Honoring Legendary Pianist Lili Kraus – Michele Levin, Piansit – December 14, 2014"](https://www.chamberonthemountain.com/michele_levin.html). *www.chamberonthemountain.com*. Retrieved 2025-12-13.

1. ["Brahms loves Clara"](https://www.npr.org/2003/02/14/1162207/brahms-loves-clara). *NPR*. 2003-02-14. Retrieved 2025-12-13.

1. ["Violinist Peter Zazofsky"](https://www.npr.org/1997/04/11/1016930/violinist-peter-zazofsky). *NPR*. 1997-04-11. Retrieved 2025-12-17.

1. ["Rhode Island Herald"](https://www.rijha.org/wp-content/uploads/voiceandherald/1999/1999-09-30.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com). *Rhode Island Herald*

1. ["2,000 Subscriptions Available for R.I. Chamber Music Series"](https://www.rijha.org/wp-content/uploads/voiceandherald/1999/1999-06-17.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com). *Rhode Island Jewish Herald*. June 17, 1999. p. 16.

1. ["The Classical Review"](https://theclassicalreview.com/). *theclassicalreview.com*. Retrieved 2025-12-23.

1. ["Artist Bios"](https://cewm.org/upcoming-concerts/music-artists-bios-great-barrington/). *Close Encounters With Music*. Retrieved 2026-01-15.

1. ["Wayback Machine"](https://open.bu.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/f66da51d-4eee-4cbd-9f6d-4614a290609c/content). *open.bu.edu*. [Archived](http://web.archive.org/web/20251007122747/https://open.bu.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/f66da51d-4eee-4cbd-9f6d-4614a290609c/content) 2025-10-07 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-01-17.

1. ["Rivka Golani - Viola Encores / Michele Levin - piano / Hungaroton Classic Audio CD 2009 Stereo / HCD 32645"](https://www.bibleinmylanguage.com/rivka-golani-viola-encores-michele-levin-piano-hungaroton-classic-audio-cd-2009-stereo-hcd-32645/). *Bible in My Language*. Retrieved 2025-12-13.

1. ["Discography"](https://www.rivkagolani.com/discography). *Rivka Golani*. Retrieved 2025-12-23.

1. Peterson, Catherine (12 Nov 1994). ["Clarinetist shines with Muir Quartet"](https://www.proquest.com/docview/3049802127/4455E47EA00342F3PQ/44?sourcetype=Newspapers). *The Boston Globe*. pp. 1–2.

1. ["June 1, 2025"](https://letterv.blog/2025/06/01/?utm_source=chatgpt.com). *Letter V*. 2025-06-01. Retrieved 2025-12-16.

1. ["Fourth 'Close Encounters' to Open Nov. 5 in Miami"](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1988/10/27/fourth-close-encounters-to-open-nov5-in-miami/). *Sun Sentinel*. 1988-10-27. Retrieved 2025-12-23.

1. ["The Classical Review » » Judy Drucker: A Miami Tribute"](https://theclassicalreview.com/2020/04/judy-drucker-a-miami-tribute/). *theclassicalreview.com*. Retrieved 2025-12-15.

1. Stanyon, Blake (2018-01-08). ["Close Encounters with Music Presents "A Close Encountertenor" - 2017 MET Audition Winner Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen Performs English Songs, Yehuda Hanani Plays Back Gamba Sonatas"](https://cewm.org/press-releases/close-encounters-with-music-presents-a-close-encountertenor-2017-met-audition-winner-aryeh-nussbaum-cohen-performs-english-songs-yehuda-hanani-plays-back-gamba-sonatas/). *Close Encounters With Music*. Retrieved 2025-12-13.

1. ["92 NY Faculty Concert Series"](https://www.92ny.org/event/faculty-concert-series-schmidt-and-hindell). *www.92ny.org*. Retrieved 2025-12-13.

1. Stanyon, Blake (2017-10-06). ["Close Encounters with Music Launches 26th Anniversary with its Signature Mix of Innovative Programs- Season Starts Strong with Titans of Chamber Music October 21 Finishing with a Dazzling Leonard Bernstein Tribute June 9, Celebrity Talks, Mid-Winter Fireside Concert; Commissions, Collaborations, Celebrations All Season"](https://cewm.org/press-releases/close-encounters-with-music-launches-26th-anniversary-with-its-signature-mix-of-innovative-programs-season-starts-strong-with-titans-of-chamber-music-october-21-finishing-with-a-dazzling-leonard-bern/). *Close Encounters With Music*. Retrieved 2025-12-13.

1. ["Amazon.com: Schubert/Schumann for Cello and Piano: Music: Yehuda Hanani,Franz Schubert,Robert Schumann"](http://www.amazon.com/Schubert-Schumann-Cello-Yehuda-Hanani/dp/B00000HY8X). *www.amazon.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070822205657/http://www.amazon.com/Schubert-Schumann-Cello-Yehuda-Hanani/dp/B00000HY8X) 2007-08-22 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-12-13.

1. ["New Dazzle and Nostalgia Cello Favorites Yehuda Hanani Michele Levin CD 714548307223"](https://www.ebay.com/itm/156949101140). *eBay*. Retrieved 2025-12-13.

1. ["Dazzle & Nostalgia--Cello Favorites"](https://www.classicstoday.com/review/review-8570/?utm_source=chatgpt.com). *www.classicstoday.com*. Retrieved 2025-12-16.

1. Smith, Tim (8 December 1992). ["Pianist's Recital Give Spanish Flair to Kravis Center"](https://www.proquest.com/docview/388922036/4455E47EA00342F3PQ/45?sourcetype=Newspapers). *The Sun Sentinel*

1. Smith, Tim (25 July 1993). ["Sinfonia's Season Offers Four Concerts"](https://www.proquest.com/docview/388826602/4455E47EA00342F3PQ/50?sourcetype=Newspapers). *Sun Sentinel*

1. Smith, Tim (5 January 1996). ["Classical Feast From Famed Operas to Soaring Symphonies to Brilliant Visiting Artists, 1996 Brings a Treat for Every Ear"](https://www.proquest.com/docview/388572595/4455E47EA00342F3PQ/94?sourcetype=Newspapers). *Sun Sentinel*

1. ["Barber/Foss/Ornstein Cello Works"](https://www.gramophone.co.uk/reviews/review?slug=barberfossornstein-cello-works). *Gramophone*. Retrieved 2025-12-15.

1. ["Discography"](https://www.poonhill.com/discography.htm). *www.poonhill.com*. Retrieved 2025-12-13.

1. ["Chamber Music Festival featuring the Muir Quart"](https://artsliveva.org/chamber-music-festival). *ArtsLIVE!*. 2017-03-04. Retrieved 2025-12-16.

1. ["Muir String Quartet and pianist Michele Levin -- Bozeman -- October 30th"](https://www.distinctlymontana.com/event/muir-string-quartet-and-pianist-michele-levin-bozeman-october-30th). *www.distinctlymontana.com*. Retrieved 2025-12-13.

1. ["Commissioned Music – Site Preview"](https://sttimothysmusic.org/commissioned-music/). Retrieved 2025-12-22.

1. ["White Granite | Joan Tower"](https://www.wisemusicclassical.com/work/43629/White-Granite--Joan-Tower/). *www.wisemusicclassical.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240709051202/https://www.wisemusicclassical.com/work/43629/White-Granite--Joan-Tower/) 2024-07-09 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-12-13.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Michele Levin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michele_Levin) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michele_Levin?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.