Born in former Yugoslavia in 1954, German pianist Robert Benz received his first piano lessons from his father at the age of four. After studying under Naoyuki Taneda at the University of Music Karlsruhe, where he also graduated in conducting, Robert Benz attended The Juilliard School in New York as a student of Rosina Lhévinne and Martin Canin. Robert Benz gained fame as the winner of the First Prize in both the International Busoni Competition in Bolzano in 1974 and the International Liszt-Bartòk Competition in Budapest in 1976. He embarked on an extensive career as a recitalist and soloist with orchestras worldwide. His recordings include the complete 32 piano sonatas by Beethoven for the Thorofon label. In 1990, Robert Benz became a professor of piano at the University of Music Mannheim. He made the decision to step back from solo performances and focus on chamber music. Since 1996, he has been the pianist of Trio Bamberg and has performed and recorded most of the piano trio repertoire. In 2005, he assumed the role of artistic director of the Ettlingen International Competition for Young Pianists. Today, Robert Benz enjoys an international reputation as a teacher and regularly serves as a jury member at international competitions.