TEL AVIV — Pianist Igor Levit will perform a solo recital at the Charles Bronfman Auditorium in Tel Aviv on July 23, 2026, marking his first full recital in Israel since the war began.

All proceeds from the concert will be donated to the Keynote Program, an initiative of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra dedicated to the musical education of youth. Levit said he did not seek to profit from the engagement.

"I don’t want a penny for my concerts in Israel," Levit said. "Simply put, it means the world to me to play in Israel."

Levit, 39, was born to a Russian-Jewish family and emigrated with his parents to Germany in 1995 at the age of eight. He has maintained a public profile as an activist alongside his career as a classical musician, a combination that has generated both support and opposition.

Levit stated that his public support for Israel cost him approximately 90% of his acquaintances, though he noted that those in his close friend circle remained. He added that he expected his positions to generate responses.

"You shout into the woods, to the world, and the world shouts back – that is nothing new to me," Levit said. He also stated that if people overstep boundaries in dialogue, "they will face my reaction with force and a smile."

Levit has lived under police protection at times due to his activism. In November 2019, he received an antisemitic death threat.

In 2023, Levit launched the "Against Silence" campaign at the Berliner Ensemble theater to combat antisemitism in Germany. All ticket proceeds from that event were donated to organizations supporting victims of hate crimes and strengthening local Jewish life. Levit explained his motivation for the initiative. "I wanted to use my craft to raise money for organizations that combat antisemitism and educate young people in schools regarding the roots and history of antisemitism," Levit said.

Levit visited Israel in November 2023, shortly after the October 7 attacks. During that visit, he performed at venues including Ichilov Hospital and the Levinsky-Wingate Academic Center. He also performed with Israeli singer Achinoam Nini for wounded civilians, soldiers, and families of hostages.

Following those solidarity concerts, Levit established the NO SILENCE label under Sony Classical. In December 2023, he released the album "Lieder ohne Worte" (Songs Without Words), donating all proceeds to the German organizations OFEK e.V. and the Kreuzberg Initiative Against Antisemitism.

The program for the July 23 recital includes Schubert’s Sonata No. 20 in A major, Chopin’s Fantaisie-Impromptu, and Beethoven’s Appassionata. Levit stated he has not performed works by Paul Ben-Haim but expressed interest in discovering music by prewar Jewish composers who emigrated from Nazi Germany. Regarding the upcoming Tel Aviv concert, Levit said: "It took long enough, and I hope it will become a regular thing."

The recital represents a continuation of Levit’s pattern of directing performance revenue toward educational and anti-antisemitism initiatives. Previous efforts, including the "Against Silence" campaign and the proceeds from "Lieder ohne Worte," channeled funds to organizations addressing hate crimes and youth education in Germany. The July 23 concert extends that model to Israel, with proceeds supporting the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra’s Keynote Program for youth musical education.

Levit’s public stance has carried personal and professional consequences, including the loss of the majority of his acquaintances, periods of police protection, and a death threat. His 2023 visit to Israel included performances at hospitals and academic centers for affected populations, and the establishment of the NO SILENCE label. The 2026 Tel Aviv recital marks his return to a full concert in the country and signals his intention to make such appearances recurring.