In his award-winning recordings Levin always performs on the historically appropriate keyboard instrument of the period, for works ranging from Bach, through to Beethoven and Brahms. His performances combine artistic innovation and comprehensive historical expertise. Alongside his numerous concert performances Levin is also active in the academic world as a scholar and composer, where he has completed several historical compositions, including Mozart's Requiem. The award is to be presented on 14 June as part of Leipzig Bach Festival 2018.
As an educator Levin has also been passing on his expertise to younger generations for decades, firstly as professor at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, moving on to New York and Freiburg and since 1993 at Harvard University. He is also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Over the past 15 years Levin has done outstanding work on Bach's legacy, in particular passing on his knowledge of his legacy and keeping his works alive in the modern day. In 2002 he became president of the Leipzig International Johann Sebastian Bach Competition, which he has developed into one of the leading music competitions in the world.
The Bach Medal will be presented on 14 June 2018 at 11am as part of the Leipzig Bach Festival in the ballroom of the Old Town Hall. The award will be presented to Robert Levin by the Mayor Burkhard Jung and the director of the Bach Archive, Peter Wollny. This season's Leipzig Bach Festival runs from 8-17 June 2018 under the motto "Cycles". Robert Levin will feature at the festival, performing excerpts from the Wohltemperierte Klavier (Well-Tempered Clavier) by Johann Sebastian Bach (15 June, 8pm, Kongresshalle, Leipzig, Weißer Saal (White Hall)).
For their services to Bach's legacy and works, the City of Leipzig Bach Medal has been awarded to, amongst others: Reinhard Goebel (2017), Peter Kooij (2016), Masaaki Suzuki (2012), Herbert Blomstedt (2011), Philippe Herreweghe (2010), Frieder Bernius (2009), Nikolaus Harnoncourt † (2007), Ton Koopman (2006), Sir John Eliot Gardiner (2005), Helmuth Rilling (2004) and Gustav Leonhardt † (2003).