University Libraries Presents: Pianist Shir Semmel

Posted on November 18, 2016 by Dana Haugh

Date: 11/18/2016

Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Description

piano

Pianist Shir Semmel will perform a preview of her Doctorate of Musical Arts on Recital Friday, November 18th at 12pm in CRR Event Space.

W.A Mozart – Piano Sonata in E flat major, K. 282

Adagio – Menuetto – Allegro

F. Schubert – Fantasie in C major, Op. 15 D. 760 “Wanderer”

Hailed as a “wonderful pianist” with “absolute devotion to the music” and “admirable technique” (Globes), pianist Shir Semmel has performed in Europe, the United States, and her native Israel to critical acclaim. Praised for her “unstoppable energy and personality” (timesunionPlus), her performances have been described as “gripping from beginning to end” (the Jerusalem Post).

First Prize winner of several competitions, Semmel has participated in international festivals such as Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute, Music@Menlo, IMS Prussia Cove and IMS Open Chamber Music, the Gstaad Piano Academy with András Schiff at the Menuhin Festival – at the invitation of András Schiff, Mänttä Piano Festival in Finland, and the International Keyboard Institute and Festival in New-York. She has appeared in such venues as Carnegie Hall (Weill, Zankel), Merkin Hall, Steinway Hall, Shriver Hall, the Jerusalem Theater, etc.

An avid chamber musician, Semmel co-founded the Jerusalem Piano Duo together with her brother, pianist Dror Semmel. As a member of Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble ACJW she performed regularly at such venues as Carnegie Hall, and worked to engage with the community and enhance music education throughout New York.

Semmel has participated in numerous master classes given by renowned pianists such as Murray Perahia, András Schiff, Yefim Bronfman, Rudolf Buchbinder, Richard Goode and many others. She is a consistent recipient of the American-Israel Cultural Foundation excellence scholarships.

Born in Jerusalem, Semmel graduated summa cum laude from the Jerusalem Music Academy as a student of Alexander Tamir and Asaf Zohar. She completed her Master of Music degree with honors at the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music where she studied with Emanuel Krasovsky. She has recently completed four years at the Peabody Institute as a student of Leon Fleisher, and is currently pursuing her DMA at SUNY Stony Brook under the tutelage of Gilbert Kalish.