began to study guitar with Prof. Ulrich Müller at the "Hochschule für Musik und Theater" in Hanover and
continued at the "Hochschule für Künste" in Bremen receiving the Master's Degree in Performing Arts with
honours.
He has completed his studies with José Tomás and Xavier Coll at "Escola d'Arts Musicals Luthier" in
Barcelona. Besides his teaching activities ("Escola Juan Pedro Carrero" in Barcelona, University of Cologne)
he has published numerous editions of guitar music (e.g. Breitkopf & Härtel, Edition Peters,
Hofmeister).
As a soloist, accompanist of lieder as well as in ensemble setting he has frequent concert activities all
over Germany and abroad.
"With his interpretation of works by Giuliani, Mompou and Barrios, Stephan Schäfer has proven that his technique is very
highly developed. It was a delight."
DIARI DE SABADELL, Spain
"... Stephan Schäfer demonstrated the high art of guitar playing with carefully graduated dynamics between melody and
accompaniment, with flawless legato, even during the liveliest changes in register. Schäfer conveyed Spanish culture in
perfect form."
NORDWEST-ZEITUNG, Germany
"... Especially remarkable was the outstanding sensitivity and virtuosity of Stephan Schäfer, who had his hands full of
music."
HAMBURGER ABENDBLATT, Germany
"A young musician who not only showed great skill, but also combined expression and brilliance in his recital ..."
NEUE OSNABRÜCKER ZEITUNG, Germany
"... Two marvelously-played dances from the ballet 'The Three-Cornered Hat', by Manuel de Falla, elicited spontaneous,
effusive applause from the audience. Guitar can sound so beautiful!"
BLECKEDER ZEITUNG, Germany
"... Stephan Schäfer's playing is gentle and sensitive, of great tonal variety, very restrained and lyrical, but also
rhythmic, colourful and accentuated ..."
WESER-KURIER, Germany
"... Schäfer's guitar playing is immaculate. He pays minute attention to the various components of accompaniment. Those are
the outstanding features with which Schäfer convinces his audience ..."
WESTFALEN-BLATT, Germany
"... His playing was absolutely souvereign, tracing the melodic lines sensitively and at the same time displaying his
immense technical skill ..."
NEUE WESTFÄLISCHE, Germany
"... This German player didn't leave any room for doubt as to his capacities: He mastered his instrument up to the last
detail. With a filigree technique, musically perfect shaping and a deep understanding he transformed two pieces by Isaac
Albéniz into one of the highlights of the evening."
SIEGENER ZEITUNG, Germany
"... Performing works by Weiß, Giuliani, Roussel, Mompou and Moreno-Torroba, Stephan Schäfer demonstrated enormous ease and
sensitivity. He evoked images and provided an opportunity for the audience to explore deep musical contemplation."
KÖLNER STADTANZEIGER, Germany
"... With perceptive verve, Stephan Schäfer brought to life the folkloric and melancholic waves, the colourful and
harmonious veils ..."
NEUE MUSIKZEITUNG, Germany
"... with skills in different areas. Stephan Schäfer is confident of his skills. He shared his own joy in Spanish music
directly with his audience. This musical journey through the sunny Mediterranean made them to forget the grey and foggy
January night ..."
GRAFSCHAFTER NACHRICHTEN, Germany
"... The realm of sound belonged exclusively to the guitarist as he played 'Merlin' (composed 1979), by Stephen Dodgson.
What the legendary magician from Arthur's circle had inspired became an opposition and interplay of ghostly sounds in
mostly free meter, stunning the audience."
GRAFSCHAFTER NACHRICHTEN, Germany