Elisha Abas was a renowned classical pianist who was born on August 28, 1948, in Tel Aviv, Israel. He was born into a family of musicians, with his father, Edmond Abas, being a well-known conductor and his mother, Miriam Fried, being a pianist. Elisha began playing the piano at a young age and showed exceptional talent from the start. At the age of 10, Elisha made his debut with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, playing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor. This performance marked the beginning of his career as a concert pianist. He continued to perform with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra throughout his teenage years, playing works by Beethoven, Chopin, and Brahms. In 1965, Elisha moved to the United States to study at the Juilliard School in New York City. He studied under the renowned pianist Rosina Lhévinne and quickly gained recognition for his exceptional talent. In 1968, he won the prestigious Young Concert Artists International Auditions, which launched his career as a soloist. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Elisha performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe, playing with some of the world's most renowned orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. He also performed at major music festivals, such as the Salzburg Festival and the Edinburgh Festival. Elisha was known for his virtuosic playing and his ability to bring out the emotional depth of the music he played. He was particularly renowned for his interpretations of the works of Chopin, Beethoven, and Schumann. He was also a champion of contemporary music and premiered works by composers such as George Rochberg and Milton Babbitt. In addition to his performances, Elisha was also a respected teacher. He taught at the Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music, and his students included many successful pianists, such as Yefim Bronfman and Jeffrey Kahane. Elisha's career was not without its challenges. In 1985, he suffered a severe injury to his right hand, which threatened to end his career. However, he underwent extensive rehabilitation and was able to return to performing within a year. He also suffered from depression and struggled with addiction, but he was able to overcome these challenges and continue his career. Throughout his career, Elisha received numerous awards and honors. In addition to winning the Young Concert Artists International Auditions, he was also a recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant and the Israel Prize, which is the highest honor awarded by the State of Israel. He was also inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1995. Elisha's final performance was in 2004, at the age of 56. He played Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the same orchestra with which he had made his debut as a child. He passed away on January 15, 2017, at the age of 68. Elisha Abas was a gifted pianist who left a lasting impact on the world of classical music. His virtuosic playing and emotional depth continue to inspire musicians and audiences alike. His legacy lives on through his recordings and the many pianists he taught, who continue to carry on his tradition of excellence.

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