Claude Frank

Who is Claude Frank?

Claude Frank is a German-born, American Jewish pianist whose career has included appearances with highly reputed orchestras, at major festivals, and in major recital halls around the world. Born December 24, 1925 in Nuremberg, Germany, Frank studied at the Paris Conservatoire; worked with Artur Schnabel in New York, for whom he first played in Europe; studied with Schnabel's last and favourite pupil, Maria Curcio; and studied composition and conducting at Columbia University. At Tanglewood he studied with Serge Koussevitzky. He has performed worldwide as a soloist with distinguished orchestras, touring Asia, Australia, Europe, Israel and South America, and in chamber music concerts. A milestone in his career was RCA's release of his recordings of the 32 Beethoven piano sonatas and his worldwide performances of the cycle.

He has appeared in joint concerts with his wife, pianist Lilian Kallir, and, in recent years, with his daughter, the renowned violinist Pamela Frank. Frank serves on the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and presents master classes at Yale University, Duke University, the University of Kansas, and the North Carolina School of the Arts among many others. He has been on the piano faculty of the Yale School of Music since 1973.