Leventritt Competition

The Leventritt Competition was a highly prestigious international competition for classical pianists and violinists. It was founded in 1939 by the Edgar M. Leventritt Foundation Inc. of Cold Spring, New York, in memory of jurist Edgar M. Leventritt.

More recently, the Cliburn contest in Fort Worth, Texas, has attracted more publicity. By contrast, the now discontinued Leventritt Competition, held in New York City, did not court popularity but set higher standards and produced more outstanding musicians, including Van Cliburn himself. The Leventritt award was sparingly given, and there was no award presented if the judges felt the required standard was not achieved.