Yvonne Lefébure

Yvonne Lefébure studied at Conservatoire de Paris. Training under Alfred Cortot, Maurice Emmanuel and Charles-Marie Widor is recorded. Michaël Levinas, Hélène Boschi and Marios Laskaris are recorded as having studied under Yvonne Lefébure. The recorded working language is French. Employment is recorded with École Normale de Musique de Paris Alfred Cortot and Conservatoire de Paris. Distinctions recorded are Grand Officer of the National Order of Merit.

• Name — Yvonne Lefébure • Born — 29 June 1898 • Birthplace — Ermont, France • Died — 23 January 1986 • Place of death — Paris, France • Occupation — Pianist, pedagogue

Lefébure began studying piano with a local teacher. In 1906, she was introduced to Marguerite Long, who advised her parents to pursue serious musical training. She entered the Paris Conservatoire, where she won a gold medal in the Concours des Petits Prodiges at the age of nine and a premier prix in Alfred Cortot's class at fourteen with Beethoven’s Appassionata Sonata, Op. 57. She debuted with the Orchestre Lamoureux under Camille Chevillard, performing Saint-Saëns’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor. However, her mother was concerned with overexposure and encouraged her to return to studies. She went on to earn first prizes in piano, harmony, counterpoint, accompaniment, and fugue.

Despite her early success, Lefébure later stated that she had to relearn her piano technique, which she accomplished independently. This realization significantly influenced her teaching approach. She continued to perform actively, debuting in England in 1933 at Wigmore Hall. Post–World War II, she appeared in the United States, including a recital at New York’s Town Hall. In 1950, Pablo Casals invited her to perform at the first Prades Festival. She collaborated regularly with Casals and violinist Sándor Végh, performing Beethoven’s complete violin sonatas.

Yvonne Lefébure is recorded as having received Grand Officer of the National Order of Merit. Recorded at birth as Yvonne Élise Lefébure. Identity and origins. The authorities additionally record the heading Yvonne Lefebure. Her recorded language was French.