Hans Richter-Haaser

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Hans Richter-Haaser (6 January 1912 – 13 December 1980) was a German classical pianist, also known as a teacher, conductor and composer. He was born in Dresden and studied at the Dresden Conservatory, making his debut in 1928 at age 16. During World War II he served in an anti-aircraft unit and could not perform for years, but he recovered after the war. He conducted the Detmold Orchestra from 1945 to 1947 and taught piano at the North-West German Music Academy from 1947 to 1962. After that, he toured internationally, performing in the United Kingdom, the Americas and Australia. His American debut in 1959 was praised as a major new talent in Manhattan. He appeared at the Salzburg Festival in 1963 and worked with many leading conductors. He also wrote music, including a symphony and piano concertos. He died in Braunschweig in 1980, aged 68. His recordings include works by Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann and others.