András Schiff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir
András Schiff
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Schiff in Leipzig, 2016
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| Born | 21 December 1953 Budapest, Hungary
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| Education | Franz Liszt Academy of Music University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar |
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| Spouse(s) | Yūko Shiokawa |
Sir András Schiff (born 21 December 1953) is a world-famous classical pianist and conductor. He was born in Hungary but later became a British citizen. He is known for his amazing performances of music by composers like Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven.
Schiff has won many important awards for his music. In 2014, Queen Elizabeth II made him a knight for his contributions to music, which is why he is called Sir András Schiff. He travels the world to perform, but sometimes chooses not to visit countries if he disagrees with their governments.
He also teaches piano as a visiting professor at the Barenboim–Said Akademie in Berlin.
Contents
Early Life and Education
András Schiff was born in Budapest, Hungary, to a Jewish family. He was an only child and started taking piano lessons when he was just five years old. He studied at the famous Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest.
One of his teachers, Ferenc Rados, was very strict. Schiff once said that Rados never gave him a compliment. But he also said that this taught him how to listen to himself carefully and practice in a smart, musical way.
He also studied with other great teachers in London and Germany. One of his teachers, George Malcolm, was an expert on old keyboard instruments. Schiff even made a recording with him using a fortepiano (an early type of piano) that once belonged to Mozart!
A Career in Music
In the 1970s, Schiff won prizes at major piano competitions, which helped start his international career. In 1979, he decided to leave Hungary. He later became an Austrian citizen and then a British citizen in 2001.
Conducting and Festivals
Besides playing the piano, Schiff is also a conductor. In 1999, he created his own small orchestra called the Cappella Andrea Barca. The name is a fun play on his own name. "Schiff" means "boat" in German, and "Barca" means "boat" in Italian. He even made up a funny, fake biography for the orchestra's fictional founder, Andrea Barca.
He has conducted many famous orchestras, including the Philharmonia Orchestra in London and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe.
Famous Performances and Recordings
Schiff is considered one of the best pianists in the world for the music of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert.
He has made many recordings. Some of his most famous projects include:
- All of Mozart's and Schubert's piano sonatas.
- All of Beethoven's piano concertos and piano sonatas.
- Many of Bach's most important keyboard works, like the Goldberg Variations.
He sometimes performs on historical instruments, like the fortepiano, to play the music just as the composers might have heard it. He has also given talks and lectures about the music he plays, explaining the meaning behind the notes.
Sharing His Knowledge
Schiff is a dedicated teacher. He is a professor at the Barenboim–Said Akademie in Berlin. He is known for his video masterclasses, where he teaches talented young pianists. He has also taught at other top music schools like the Juilliard School in New York and the Royal Academy of Music in London.
Awards and Recognition
Sir András Schiff has received dozens of awards for his incredible musical talent.
Some of his major honors include:
- A Grammy Award in 1990 for his recording of Bach's English Suites.
- The Léonie Sonning Music Prize in 1997, one of Denmark's highest musical honors.
- The Royal Academy of Music Bach Prize in 2007 for his outstanding work with Bach's music.
- The Gold Medal from the Royal Philharmonic Society in 2013.
- He was made a Knight Bachelor by the Queen in 2014 for his services to music.
- The Bach Medal from the city of Leipzig, Germany, in 2022.
- The prestigious Praemium Imperiale award for music in 2025.
Standing Up for His Beliefs
Schiff is not afraid to speak his mind about politics and human rights. He believes that art and politics are connected.
Views on Hungary
Schiff has been a strong critic of the government in his home country of Hungary. He has spoken out against what he sees as racism and unfairness. In 2011, he wrote a letter in a newspaper questioning if Hungary was ready to lead the European Union council.
Because of his views, he received threats and decided he would no longer perform or even visit Hungary. He said he did not want to risk his safety.
Views on the United States
In 2025, Schiff announced he was canceling his concerts in the United States. He said this was a protest against President Donald Trump's policies and actions. He felt that some of the policies were a painful reminder of what his own family experienced in Europe's history.
Personal Life
Schiff is married to Yūko Shiokawa, who is a violinist. They have homes in several cities, including London, England, and Florence, Italy.
See also
In Spanish: András Schiff para niños
