Stefan Askenase was born on July 10, 1896 in Lviv, Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria, Austria-Hungary, was a Polish-Belgian pianist and teacher. He began his piano studies under Karol Mikuli, a disciple of Chopin. Askenase studied at the conservatory in his hometown and later with Emil von Sauer in Vienna. His career took off when he returned to Lviv in 1918 and directed the opera house there. In 1926, he settled permanently in Brussels, where he taught and performed extensively across Europe. From 1951 to 1961, Askenase held a piano class at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, mentoring notable students such as Martha Argerich and Mitsuko Uchida. His recordings for Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft were also highly regarded, particularly his interpretations of Chopin and Mozart. Askenase passed away on October 18, 1985.
