ALAN WEISS was born in New York City in 1950. Hailed as “one of the outstanding pianists of his generation” by legendary Czech pianist Rudolf Firkušný, he is “a poet” in the words of Brussels' Le Soir, whose playing, as was noted by The Daily Telegraph of London, “penetrates to the very core of the music”. His background is unusually varied, having begun his studies on the classical guitar, receiving advice and encouragement, from the age of ten, of Adrés Segovia. The unique inspiration of Maestro Segovia left its mark on his musical character and artistic development. Piano studies followed with, among others, David Saperton, illustrious teacher of Cherkassky, Katchen and Bolet. Under the guidance of Firkusny’s deep musicianship Mr. Weiss earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Juilliard School.

In 1974 Mr. Weiss participated in Rudolf Serkin’s Marlboro Music Festival. The following year he was the winner of the Naumburg Piano Competition in Carnegie Hall. In 1978 he was awarded a silver-medal in the Queen Elisabeth of Belgium International Competition, effectively marking the beginning of his international career. He then established residence in Belgium and has since played numerous recitals and concerts in England, Europe, Mexico and the Far East. In November 1999 he returned to the United States after a 21-year absence, giving a triumphant recital at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Chamber music concerts include performances with Rudolf Firkušný, Martha Argerich, Mischa Maisky, Ivry Gitlis, Alexander Rabinovitch, Pina Carmirelli, Elmar Olivera, Thomas Zehetmair, Chantal Huillet, Rafael Oleg and Mirel Iancovici. His recordings of solo and chamber music have appeared on Pavane, Vox, Phonic, D.G. and Sony labels.

Mr. Weiss has gained renown as an important piano professor in Europe at Utrecht Conservatory and Lemmens Institute, and was named “professor extraordinaire ŕ la Chapelle Musicale Reine Elisabeth” in Belgium. In addition to master classes given in France, Belgium and the United States, he has been invited by Martha Argerich to participate in her music festival in Japan and Argentina, giving performances and master classes. In February 2002 Mr. Weiss performed Brahms’ first piano concerto at the Warsaw Philharmonic Hall.

Alan Weiss is a close friend of Martha Argerich, who sees in him not only one of the most poetic and inspired pianists of our time, but also the ideal piano teacher. Indeed, while as a pianist, Mr. Weiss is still a good kept secret for some happy few - his recording of a selection of piano music of the French composer Charles Valentin Alkan stays unsurpassed - his gifts as a pedagogue made him a celebrity in the world of piano students throughout Europe, and a lot of the younger pianist generations took lessons with him or attended one of his master classes.