Dror Semmel
Dror Semmel
Israeli pianist Dror Semmel teaches piano, theory, and chamber music at the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music at Tel Aviv University. He has been performing in Israel, Europe, and North America as a soloist with orchestras, in recitals, and in chamber music concerts. His performances are regarded as being of the highest caliber of artistry and sensitivity. Often described as a "true follower of the Schnabel tradition," his interpretations of Germanic repertoire have been praised as "extremely well thought-out, genuine, and insightful." In recent years, he has performed Beethoven's last three piano sonatas, Schubert's late sonatas and Winterreise, Bach's Goldberg Variations and Partitas, Brahms's complete chamber music, as well as Schumann's major works.
Recent concerts include appearances with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra and the Israel Chamber Orchestra. He records frequently for Kan Kol Hamusika, Israel's classical radio station. In addition, his recordings have been broadcast on WQXR in New York City.
As a keen chamber musician, Dror Semmel has collaborated with leading artists in Israel and performed in major venues and concert series. Together with his sister Shir Semmel, he founded the Jerusalem Piano Duo and has performed extensively in Israel and the United States.
Recently, Dror Semmel began playing period instruments, particularly the Graf fortepiano, which he was instrumental in bringing to the Eden-Tamir Music Center in Jerusalem. It is the first and only Graf in Israel.
Moreover, Dror Semmel has taught at Music Fest Perugia and at the Tel-Hai International Piano Master Classes. He has been invited to give masterclasses at top universities in Europe and the United States next season.
Dror Semmel graduated from the Jerusalem Academy as a student of Bracha Eden and Alexander Tamir. In New York, he studied with Victor Rosenbaum and later completed his doctorate under the guidance of Gilbert Kalish. During his time in New York, he also worked with pianist Richard Goode.
Dror Semmel also teaches at the Israel Conservatory of Music in Tel Aviv. He formerly taught at Levinsky College and at the Jerusalem Conservatory, where he served as head of the piano department. His students regularly win top prizes in competitions and perform with orchestras in Israel and abroad.
Dror Semmel is the artistic director of the Eden-Tamir Music Center in Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, and the artistic director of Kan Voice of Music's Young Artists Competition. Together with Mrs. Lea Agmon, he is the co-director of the Edward Aldwell Institute in Jerusalem.
