ALLAN SCHILLER

Allan Schiller first came to prominence when he made a sensational debut at the age of ten, with the Halle Orchestra under Sir John Barbirolli. A few years later, while still a teenager, he made his first appearances at the Promenade Concerts and the Edinburgh Festival.

Allan was born in Leeds, where he studied with Fanny Waterman, the founder of the Leeds International Piano Competition. After spending two years with Dennis Matthews, one of the most stylish Mozart players of his day, he became the first British pianist to win a scholarship to the Moscow Conservatoire.

Returning to England, he soon established himself as a popular and highly regarded soloist. Allan has played with every major UK orchestra and has toured the United States, Russia and Europe. The Guardian described him as "The ideal Mozart pianist" and his fame for playing Mozart brought him an invitation to take part in the commemorations of the 200th anniversary of Mozart's death. Future plans include a tour of South Africa.

Allan has made a number of recordings, including Mozart Piano Concertos with the London Philharmonic and Sir Charles Mackerras. His most recent CD was made specifically to support the work of the Bristol Cancer Help Centre.

Allan Schiller has the rare quality of playing the piano in the vocal way once treasured by all great composers and, until recent years, by the vast major of pianists. Instead of hitting the keyboard, he coaxes sounds from it in such a way as to make one forget that the piano is a percussive instrument; one whose sound is forever dying. Such skills are to be highly treasured.