Musical Surprise with András Schiff

Born in Budapest as the only child of a Jewish family, Schiff’s parents both survived the Holocaust. He began piano lessons at the age of five and later studied at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest with Elisabeth Vadász. His education continued under Pál Kadosa and Ferenc Rados, as well as the composer György Kurtág, where he focused on piano and chamber music.

Reflecting on his time with Ferenc Rados, Schiff once remarked: “There was never a single positive word from him. Everything was bad and terrible. But it instilled a healthy attitude, an element of doubt.” He credited Rados with teaching him the fundamental principles of piano playing: tone, self-control, listening to oneself, and practising effectively – always musically, never mechanically. 

Schiff emigrated from Hungary in 1979. Although his extensive travel prevented him from gaining American citizenship, he obtained Austrian citizenship in 1987 and has since divided his time between homes in London, Salzburg, and Florence. 

In addition to his distinguished career as one of the world’s most celebrated pianists, Schiff has also become an accomplished conductor in recent years. He has performed with leading ensembles such as the Philharmonia Orchestra in London, the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, the San Francisco Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Danish National Symphony Orchestra.