Biography

About Avi Schönfeld

Avi Schönfeld (sometimes spelled Avi Schoenfeld) is an internationally respected pianist, composer, and teacher whose career spans continents and generations.

He was born in Łódź, Poland (15 December 1947). At a young age he began his musical studies; at 11, his family emigrated to Israel. In 1966, at 19, he was admitted to the Academy of Music at Tel Aviv University — and just a month later won the First Prize in the Kestenberg Competition. During his time in Israel, he gave a wide range of performances — recitals, broadcasts, and solo concerts with Israeli orchestras.

In 1968, the Israel Radio Orchestra selected him as soloist for Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini — a significant early mark of recognition.

In November 1972, Schönfeld accepted a prestigious three-year scholarship from the French government and moved to Paris. In Paris, he studied with some of the major pedagogues and influences of the 20th century:

• Piano with Yvonne Lefébure, Vlado Perlemuter, Marcel Ciampi, Ilona Vincze-Krausz and Arthur Rubinstein
• Chamber music under Henryk Szeryng
• Composition with Nadia Boulanger and Alexandre Tansman

While in Paris, he performed in notable venues such as Salle Cortot, the Institut d’Art et Archéologie, the Cité Internationale des Arts, and on ORTF’s “Studio 107,” often under the sponsorship of the French Foreign Ministry.

Career, Teaching & Compositions

Schönfeld’s career has extended far beyond performance — he became a distinguished educator and a prolific composer.

He taught for many years at leading European conservatories, including the Royal Conservatoire of Brussels and the Maastricht Conservatorium (Hogeschool Zuyd), where he influenced generations of pianists. He also founded and directed EPRIM (European Institute of Pianistic Research Maastricht) and served as artistic adviser to the Anglo-Dutch Piano Platform.

Today, Schönfeld continues to compose actively. His catalogue includes solo piano works such as Animato, Sphinx, Labyrinthe, Ombres, Sentiers, Tango-Étude, and Sonatine Méditerranéenne; five piano sonatas; and numerous chamber pieces, including a violin sonata, cello sonata, clarinet sonata, and suite for two pianos.

Many of his compositions have been commissioned for international competitions in Paris, Saint-Nom-La-Bréteche, Rome, Picardie, Besançon, and elsewhere. He has also served on the jury of numerous major competitions, including the Reine Marie José (Geneva), Beethoven (London), Orléans, Saint-Nom-La-Bréteche, Tabor (Czech Republic), Sofia (Music and Earth), Liège, and others.

Praise & Recognition

• • N. Mishory (Haaretz) on his Rachmaninoff performance: “The young soloist … showed not only great technical skill, rich sonority, rhythmic assurance, but also a deep, serious approach.”

• • Alexandre Tansman: “I was sincerely impressed with Mr. Schönfeld’s musical personality, the maturity and freshness of his conception, the clarity of his technique and sense of form and sonority.”

• • Professor Ilona Vincze: “As a pianist, Mr. Schönfeld is the most excellent virtuoso of our time … accomplished musician and a sensitive artist.”

• • Hendryk Szeryng: “A remarkable musician, composer and educator … his potential is particularly vast and diversified.”

• • Arthur Rubinstein: “A very promising and talented artist.”

• • Vlado Perlemuter: “Dons exceptionnels.”

(These are drawn from archival quotes and published program notes.)