Seta Tanyel

Acclaimed as much for her distinguished performances of the standard repertoire, Seta Tanyel’s consistent championing of the works of lesser-known composers has brought much attention from audiences around the world. Born in Istanbul, of Armenian parentage, Seta 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 Artur Rubinstein Competition Israel in 1974. She has toured in Europe, Russia, the Middle and Far East and North and South America. Seta has performed with orchestras including the London Symphony, the Philharmonia, the Vienna Symphony and the Israel Philharmonic. She has been a juror in international piano competitions, has given master classes throughout Europe 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/Harutunian, Franck, Grieg, Khatchaturian, MacDowell, Moszkowski, Poulenc, Scharwenka, Shostakovitch, Schubert and Schumann, Seta 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.” Her series of the piano works of Xaver Scharwenka and Moritz Moszkowski has received outstanding praise.

Her most recent recording, of Edward MacDowell’s piano concertos in Hyperion’s Romantic Piano Concerto series, was described by the American Magazine Fanfare as “a distinguished addition to the catalogue….a winner.

Currently, Seta resides in London where she maintains an active performing, recording and teaching schedule.

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