Rafael Rosenfeld

String quartet jury member

Rafael Rosenfeld, Switzerland

With his first prize win in 2000 at the Geneva Competition, Rafael Rosenfeld firmly established his reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting cellists. He toured Europe as a soloist Milan, Stuttgart, Rotterdam, Amsterdam or Zürcich. In addition to his success at the Geneva competition, Rafael won numerous other prizes and awards including 3rd prize at the ARD competition in Munich. In 1994 he was a finalist at the Tchaikowsky Competition in Moscow. He has made numerous radio and television appearances.

Rafael Rosenfeld received his musical education in Zürich and Lübeck where his cello professors were Walter Grimmer and David Geringas respectively. Further inspiration came through world-acclaimed musicians like András Schiff, Steven Isserlis, Sandor Végh, Bernard Greenhouse, Ralph Kirschbaum, and György Kurtág.

In 1995 Rafael Rosenfeld became the principal cellist of the Zürich Tonhalle Orchestra, and the ensemble's youngest member. In addition he is a member of Andras Schiff's chamber orchestra Cappella Andrea Barca. Chamber music plays a central role in Rafael Rosenfeld's musical life. For many years he performed as cellist of the Rosenfeld Trio and later was invited to join a trio with the violinist Gabor Takács-Nagy and the pianist Dénes Várjon. Since 2002 his focus has been on exploring the string quartet literature with the Merel Quartet. He is a professor of cello at the Basel Music Academy.

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