The Platinum Medal, presented on October 6, 2024, is the highest distinction awarded this year, with only 7 recipients chosen from 250 candidates.
The ceremony took place on October 6 in Paris, where Mr. Botvinov performed in a grand concert hall before an audience of over 600 classical music enthusiasts. The pianist delivered pieces by Chopin and Rachmaninoff.
The Arts-Sciences-Lettres Association, founded in 1915, annually recognizes individuals whose talent, exceptional performance, and tireless work contribute to the promotion of French culture in art, literature, and science. Past laureates include Olivier Messiaen, Albert Schweitzer, Yehudi Menuhin, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Robert Hossein, Tibor Varga, and Jacques-Yves Cousteau.
Oleksiy Botvinov is one of the world's leading specialists in the works of Rachmaninoff. Since the start of the full-scale war, he has been actively touring the world, giving concerts to promote Ukrainian culture and raise funds to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
In 2022, together with violinist Daniel Hope, Botvinov recorded an album featuring the music of Valentin Silvestrov for Deutsche Grammophon.