Country

:

Germany

Birth

:

1931 in Stuttgart, Germany

Death

:

October 11, 1976 in Nancy, France

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

Werner Haas was a renowned classical pianist born on March 25, 1928, in Biel, Switzerland. He was the son of a music teacher and began playing the piano at a young age. Haas showed exceptional talent and was soon recognized as a prodigy. He received his first piano lessons from his mother and later studied with Marguerite Long and Edwin Fischer. Haas made his debut at the age of 16 with the Bern Symphony Orchestra, performing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor. He continued his studies at the Geneva Conservatory and later at the Paris Conservatory, where he won first prize in piano in 1950. Haas quickly gained recognition as a pianist of exceptional talent and was invited to perform at major concert halls around the world. He made his debut in the United States in 1953, performing with the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Dimitri Mitropoulos. He also performed with other major orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic, and the London Symphony Orchestra. Haas was known for his interpretations of the works of Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert. He was particularly admired for his ability to bring out the nuances and subtleties of these composers' works. He was also known for his technical virtuosity and his ability to play with great clarity and precision. Haas recorded extensively throughout his career, and his recordings of Mozart's piano concertos are considered some of the finest ever made. He also recorded the complete piano works of Schubert and Beethoven, as well as works by Chopin, Liszt, and Debussy. Haas received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1952, he won the Geneva International Music Competition, and in 1953, he won the Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud International Competition in Paris. He was also awarded the Grand Prix du Disque for his recordings of Mozart's piano concertos. Haas continued to perform and record throughout the 1960s and 1970s, but his career was cut short by a stroke in 1980. He was forced to retire from performing, but he continued to teach and mentor young pianists until his death in 1976. Haas was known for his dedication to his craft and his commitment to excellence. He was a consummate musician who brought a deep understanding and appreciation of the music he played to every performance. His recordings and performances continue to be admired and studied by musicians and music lovers around the world.

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