Seymour Bernstein Biography

"Seymour Bernstein Triumphs at Piano" (Donald Henahan, The New York Times)

Seymour Bernstein has acquired scores of "triumphs" in a variety of activities.  He studied with such notable musicians as Alexander Brailowsky, sir Clifford Curzon, Jan Garbaty, Nadia Boulanger, and Georges Enesco, both in this country and in Europe.  His prizes and grants include the First Prize and Prix Jacques Durand from the international competition held at Fontainebleau, France; the National Federation of Music Clubs Award for Furthering American Music Abroad; a Beebe Foundation grant; two Martha Baird Rockefeller grants; and four State Department grants.  His concert career has taken him to Asia, Europe, and throughout the Americas, where he has appeared in solo recitals and as guest artist with orchestras and chamber music groups.  In 1969, he made his debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, playing the world premiere of Concerto No. 2 by Villa-Lobos.

Acclaimed for his "technical brilliance and penetrating interpretive skills," Seymour Bernstein is also an internationally known writer, composer, teacher, and lecturer.  Many of his piano works are on the best seller list.  His books With Your Own Two Hands, 20 Lessons in Keyboard Choreography, and Musi-Physi-Cality (the children's version), have been published in German, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Russian.  Critics have hailed his publications as "firsts of their kind," and "landmarks in music education."  Three new books, Monsters and Angels-Surviving a Career in Music, Chopin-Interpreting His Notational Symbols, and Emotions have recently been published by Manduca Music Publishing, his exclusive publisher.

In constant demand for master classes and educational programs, Seymour Bernstein is on of the most sought after clinicians in this country and abroad.  Performances of his piano works have earned him awards from ASCAP.

In December of 2004, Seymour Bernstein was awarded an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Shenandoah University.  He maintains a private studio in New York City.  In addition, he is a faculty member at New York University.