Sontraud Speidel

Prof. Sontraud Speidel is a renowned Professor of Piano at the Karlsruhe University of Music. She has held leadership roles including Senate member, University Council member, and 17-year spokesperson for the Keyboard/Guitar section. Internationally, she has served as a visiting professor and jury member at competitions across Europe, America, and Asia. Her career spans over 50 CDs, including pioneering recordings of works by Fanny Hensel, Carl Reinecke, and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy. She has premiered compositions by contemporary composers like Violeta Dinescu and received prestigious awards such as the Order of Merit of Germany and Opus Klassik.

Her performances include solo recitals at venues like the Palais Schaumburg (Bonn) and Thessaloniki, as well as collaborations with orchestras worldwide. She actively promotes young talent through organizations like PIANO-PODIUM Karlsruhe (900 members) and the 'Fonds Elisabeth Speidel,' which supports musical competitions and violin scholarships. She is an honorary member of the Werner Trenkner Society and Tonkünstlerverband Baden-Württemberg.

Her discography highlights include acclaimed recordings of Beethoven’s 7th Symphony arrangement and Reger works for two pianos. She currently chairs regional music education initiatives like 'Jugend musiziert' Karlsruhe, fostering musical talent development.