Now Hélène Grimaud walks out on IMG

We warned that more bits would fall off the troubled agency when Libby Abrahams quit two months ago as v-p. Well, today Libby announces that she’s waltzed off with IMG’s star signing, the French pianist Hélène Grimaud, as well as two conductors – the Sony-spinner Teodor Currentzis and the rising Czech, Tomáš Hanus. Press release below.

Libby Abrahams launches Keynote Artist Management

Keynote Artist Management is launched today by Libby Abrahams who has over twenty years’ experience of artist management in classical music, and brings with her wealth of knowledge and understanding of artists’ and their needs in the 21^st century.

Keynote Artists Management aims to establish and grow a boutique artist management company based on excellence, and to offer a personalised service to high profile artists with experienced staff.  It will concentrate on the core management business, retaining the independence and flexibility to seek partnerships which benefit the individual artists.

Libby Abrahams’ career has included roles at Van Walsum Management, Trittico Ltd, ICM, Harrison Parrott and most recently IMG Artists Ltd where she was Senior Vice President & Director in London for Conductors and Instrumentalists.

Keynote Artist Management commences with three artists all of whom Libby Abrahams’ worked with at IMG Artists: pianist Hélène Grimaud and conductors Teodor Currentzis and Tomáš Hanus. All three artists will be managed in association with IMG Artists.

Libby Abrahams commented, ‘After many fruitful years working in some of the most prestigious classical music artist agencies, setting up a smaller boutique artist agency was a natural step for me. It offers new challenges and opportunities and I relish the chance to continue to develop relationships with high profile artists and to help both shape and progress their careers. Keynote Artist Management will focus on a personal service offering high quality and excellence.’