Michel Béroff Joins Clavicologne as Professor

Clavicologne is honoured to welcome Michel Béroff as a professor, marking a significant addition to the festival’s academic and artistic programme. One of the most distinguished pianists and pedagogues of his generation, Béroff brings to Clavicologne decades of unparalleled experience as a performer, teacher, and musical authority.

Born in France in 1950, Michel Béroff rose to international prominence after winning First Prize at the inaugural Olivier Messiaen International Piano Competition shortly after graduating from the Paris Conservatoire. Since then, he has been widely regarded as one of the most outstanding interpreters of Messiaen’s music and has enjoyed a remarkable international career. He has performed with the world’s leading orchestras under legendary conductors such as Claudio Abbado, Daniel Barenboim, Leonard Bernstein, Pierre Boulez, Seiji Ozawa, Kurt Masur, and many others.

An equally devoted chamber musician, Béroff has collaborated with artists including Martha Argerich, Barbara Hendricks, Augustin Dumay, Pierre Amoyal, and Lynn Harrell. His musical versatility also extends to conducting, having led ensembles such as the Chamber Orchestra of La Scala, the Russian State Orchestra, the Orchestre National de Lyon, and the Berkeley Symphony, among others.

As Professor Emeritus at the Paris Conservatoire, where he taught for 25 years, Michel Béroff has shaped generations of pianists and continues to give masterclasses worldwide. His pedagogical influence is further reflected in his long-standing service as a jury member for major international competitions, including Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Van Cliburn, Leeds, and Clara Haskil, with many of his students achieving top international prizes.

Béroff’s distinguished recording career includes over 50 releases as an exclusive EMI artist for more than 25 years, earning him five Grand Prix du Disque awards. His discography spans landmark recordings of Liszt, Prokofiev, Stravinsky, Ravel, and Debussy, the latter also reflecting his scholarly contribution to a new Wiener Urtext edition of Debussy’s piano works.

His presence at Clavicologne as a professor offers young pianists a rare opportunity to work with a true master whose artistic legacy bridges performance excellence, deep stylistic insight, and a lifelong commitment to musical education.