2010 RCWS Marathon Team

Frank Lévy

Frank’s Fundraising Goal — $ 4,000
$2,500 is a minimum that each runner has to raise.

Frank Lévy is an internationally acclaimed pianist, having performed in renowned concert halls around the world. He has dazzled audiences and critics at Avery Fisher Hall in New York, Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, Gusman Hall in Miami, Royce Hall in LA, and the Stadthaussaal in Winterthur and has had his performances broadcast by the likes of WQXR in New York, the BBC in London, the RSR in Switzerland and the CBC in Canada.

Frank is not only an exemplar of musical virtuosity but of altruism as well, for he has been a longstanding supporter of many philanthropic initiatives. This is his first partnership with RCWS and he hopes it will be the springboard for many future collaborations. His wife is originally from St. Petersburg and he is excited about participating in one of the world’s pre-eminent marathons while also raising money for Russian orphans who are in pressing need of help.

Why did you choose RCWS?
I was deeply moved by the mission of RCWS. The high rate of suicide among teenagers is absolutely heart wrenching. I was lucky enough to have been endowed with the gift of piano playing and have always made it a point to help others through my music. I hope that the marathon will be a springboard for many more collaborations with RCWS.

As early as the age of 8, I remember being moved by an LP of Russian Romances and beautiful longing melodies on the violin. The beauty of the Russian language has always had a mysterious and marvelous effect on me. Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky’s music felt like home and, at times, I thought I might have lived in Russia in another life. My first concerts with my father were Gilels and Richter. Many years later I was thinking of studying in the DMA program in Moscow or St Petersburg. Russian culture and the history of the piano repertoire are indissoluble. Some of the greatest pianists and teachers come from Russia but I ultimately received a scholarship to study with Leon Fleisher in the U.S.A.

But as it happened, destiny had something even more extraordinary in store for me. It turns out that while I was experiencing my first taste of Russian music, language and culture, my future wife, who was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, was collecting little diamond-shaped stickers from Moroccan tangerines — the country where I was born in a city called Tangiers. Our children speak Russian and love music. Having a family makes me feel grateful for all the good things we have and I wish to bring as much as possible to all the Russian orphans.

What role does running play in your life?
Running was always been synonymous with freedom for me, namely freedom to forget my worries and to become one with the road and nature. I was raised in the French part of Switzerland, in Lausanne which has wonderful nature trails. I have always admired the Paul Newman products because through his name and our pleasure, be it for chocolate or popcorn he found a way to give back to the kids. The idea of running for a cause makes it truly unique and transcendental! Such opportunities are an honor because they allow us to give something simple like running a deeper meaning.

Why it is important to help disadvantaged children in Russia?
Over 700.000 children are orphans in Russia and experiencing unparalleled hardships at the most vulnerable point in their lives. Life’s injustice to the young remains a constant struggle and has always agonized me. They have, essentially, been cheated out of their childhood and I only hope that the beauty of the music that I will perform at Yamaha on November 3rd will move people to do something about it. The statistics are devastating: only one in ten becomes a member of society and the others are lost to suicide, drugs and crimes. We must help these children and remind them that they are not alone. I am proud and grateful to RCWS for selecting me to be part of their great cause and I hope that you will help me in raising the funds that will allow some of these tender souls to feel warmth and love. Help RCWS brighten the lives of these little children by coming to my concert and/or donating online.