Bernd Glemser

Prof. Bernd Glemser is a distinguished pianist and professor at the University of Music Würzburg, where he teaches piano. Appointed in 1989 as Germany's youngest professor at the time, Glemser has established himself as one of the international pianists' elite with an extraordinary repertoire spanning from Baroque to contemporary music.

Bernd Glemser studied under the Russian pedagogue Vitalji Margulis. Before his appointment at Würzburg, he had an impressive competition career, winning 17 competitions and special prizes in a row until 1987, breaking a record that had stood since 1890. Born in the Swabian Alb region of Germany, his musical journey began early with stories of him skiing to practice piano during winter months.

Glemser's performance style is characterized by passionate virtuosity paired with witty elegance, captivating audiences worldwide from Chile to China. He has a particular affinity for the works of Sergei Rachmaninov, Chopin, and Liszt, but his interpretations span the full range of piano literature. In 1996, he became the first Western artist to play live on television in China, performing Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1. His recent recordings demonstrate a deepening exploration of Romantic era masterworks, particularly focusing on the structural complexity and emotional depth of sonata forms.

With 33 CD recordings to his name, Glemser's discography showcases remarkable consistency in artistic excellence. His recording of Chopin's 4 Scherzos and Ballades was named Recording of the Month for February 2011 by music press in the UK, USA, Australia, and New Zealand. His most recent projects feature Franz Liszt's piano works, with the Sonata in B minor representing a lifelong musical preoccupation that has evolved through decades of performance and reflection.

• Andor Foldes Prize (1992)
• European Pianist Prize (Zurich, 1993)
• Würzburg Art Prize (2006)
• Federal Cross of Merit (2003)

Glemser maintains an active international performance schedule with 15-20 worldwide radio and television concert broadcasts annually, collaborating with major conductors including Herbert Blomstedt, Riccardo Chailly, Welser-Möst, Myung Whun-Chung, Dimitri Kitajenko, Osmo Vänskä, and Wolfgang Sawallisch. His performance of Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 3 in Philadelphia was particularly notable, as the orchestra had previously accompanied the composer himself. Excerpts from his recording of Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2 were featured in the film 'Spiderman 3,' demonstrating his ability to bridge classical and popular culture.