In a statement, Daniel R. Gustin, director of the Gilmore and a member of the advisory committee, said, "With a world of pianists to choose from, we spent over two years listening to many greatly talented artists, but in the end we were unanimously swept away by Ingrid Fliter's astonishing pianist prowess and her overall musicianship."

The 32-year-old Fliter, who is based in Milan, made her debut at the Teatro Col‹n in Buenos Aires at 16. She was a prizewinner in the 1998 Busoni Competition in Bolzano; she also won the silver medal in the 2000 Chopin Competition in Warsaw. Upcoming engagements include her U.S. orchestra debut, performing the Haydn D-major Concerto with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Donald Runnicles on January 19, 20, and 21.

Carol Janowicz, a spokeswoman for the Kalamazoo, Michigan-based Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, told PlaybillArts that out of the hundreds of talented nominees, "Fliter's music just kept rising to the top and attracted the judges' interest. It's significant that none of the pianists nominated realize the scrutiny they're under."

Over 400 pianists were nominated for the award, which is given every four years. The selection process lasted over two years. Judges, who listen to candidates' concerts around the world, focus entirely on musicianship. Age and nationality are not a factor.

Other members of the advisory committee included Ara Guzelimian, Carnegie Hall's artistic advisor and senior director, and pianist Gilbert Kalish.

Previous recipients of the Gilmore Artist Award include Piotr Anderszewski in 2002, and Leif Ove Andsnes in 1998.