Yvonne Lefébure

Yvonne Lefébure (29 June 1898, Ermont – 23 January 1986, Paris) was a French pianist and teacher.

Early life and education 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.

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.

In 1964, she founded the Juillet Musical de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, where she taught interpretation masterclasses.

Following her death, an international piano competition was established in her name.