Seta Tanyel

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Acclaimed as much for her distinguished performances of the core repertoire as for her consistent championing of the works of lesser-known composers, Seta Tanyel's artistry and pianism have exited much attention from audiences around the world. Born in Istanbul, of Armenian parentage, Seta Tanyel studied at the Vienna Hochschule of Music with Dieter Weber and Bruno Seidlhofer before continuing her studies in London with Louis Kentner. She was a major prize-winner at the International Beethoven Competition in Vienna in 1973 and at the inaugural Arthur Rubinstein Competition in Israel in 1974.

She has toured extensively in Europe, Russia, the Middle and Far East and North and South America, performing with orchestras including the London Symphony, the Philharmonia, the Vienna Symphony and the Israel Philharmonic. In addition to her busy performing schedule, she has given master classes and has also taught from 1986 to 1989 at the Yehudi Menuhin School in London.

With a discography encompassing works by Bax, Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Babadjanian/Harutiunian, Franck, Grieg, Khatchaturian, MacDowell, Moszkowski, Poulenc, Scharwenka, Schostakowitch, Schubert and Schumann, Seta Tanyel has received countless critical accolades for her 21 recordings on the Chandos, Collins Classics and Hyperion labels. Her first recital CD of Beethoven and Brahms variations was hailed in America as "the most stunning debut disc heard to date," while she has won particular plaudits for her series of the piano works of Xaver Scharwenka and Moritz Moszkowski.

Seta Tanyel has been a member of the faculty of the Adamant Music School since 2004.