The eminent German-born Swiss pianist and pedagogue, Wilhelm Backhaus [Bachaus], studied at the Conservatory in Leipzig with Alois Reckendorf from 1891 to 1899, making his debut there at the age of 8. In 1899 he took briefly private lessons with Eugen d’Albert in Frankfurt am Main. He made his first concert tour at the age of 16 (1900). In 1905 he won the Rubinstein Prize with Béla Bartók taking second place.
Wilhelm Backhaus began his career with a major tour in 1900 at the age of 16, acquiring a fine reputation in Europe as both a pianist and a teacher. He made his USA debut in January 1912, as soloist in L.v. Beethoven’s 5th Piano Concerto with Walter Damrosch and the New York Symphony Orchestra. He toured widely throughout his life – in 1921 he gave 17 concerts in Buenos Aires in less than three weeks. In 1930 he moved to Lugano, where he continued to teach, and became a naturalised citizen of Switzerland. Following World War II, he resumed his concert tours. He made his last appearance in the USA at a recital in New York in 1962, at the age of 78, displaying undiminished vigour as virtuoso. He died in Villach in Austria where he was to play in a concert.
