Faculty Bios

Edith Hirshtal

Austrian born pianist Edith Hirshtal has won enthusiastic responses from audiences and critics alike. Michael Kimmelman of The New York Times called her "a pianist with something to say." In the New York Times review of her Weill Recital Hall performance at Carnegie Hall, the critic went on to describe her as "playing with heart, rich color and drama." As a soloist, chamber musician, and collaborative artist, Hirshtal has been heard in concert halls throughout the United States, including The Philadelphia Academy of Music and Lincoln Center in New York City. The recipient of many awards, Ms. Hirshtal was the winner of ‘Best Classical Sonata’ for her performance of Beethoven’s Opus 109 in the William Kappel International Piano Competition. She is listed in Marquis ‘Who’s Who in America.” Ms. Hirshtal's collaborations include performances with Michael Korn and the Philadelphia Singers, Stephanie Chase, Katherine Ciesynski, Jonathan Mack, Antoinette Perry, Peter Marsh, Gary Bovyer, Wiliam Powell, Michael Carson, Neil Weintrob and Dudley Moore. Her own teachers have included such renowned figures as Leon Fleisher, with whom she received the Artist Diploma from the Peabody Conservatory, Adele Marcus of the Juilliard School, Harvey Wedeen of Temple University, and Genia Robinor of the Philadelphia Musical Academy. She has been on the faculties of Temple University, Bryn Mawr Conservatory and the Downeast Summer Chamber Institute in Maine. You can visit her website at www.edithhirshtal.com.