Allan Schiller: A Lifetime of Musical Excellence

Renowned Mozart Interpreter

Allan Schiller has carved a niche for himself as a concert pianist with a remarkable gift for interpreting Mozart. His performances have captivated audiences worldwide, bringing new life to the works of this classical composer.

Concert Performer

With over 50 years of experience, Allan Schiller has performed with all major British orchestras and collaborated with renowned conductors such as Bernard Haitink, Georg Solti, and Malcolm Sargent. His extensive career has taken him to Canada, the former Soviet Union, Italy, and South America. In the UK, his numerous BBC broadcasts include chamber music with string quartets, piano trios, horn trios, and solo recitals.

Notable performances include playing at the 200th anniversary commemorations of Mozart’s death in Salzburg and Capetown, as well as performing for HM the Queen and HRH Prince Phillip at Balmoral Castle.

Speaker, Raconteur, and Musician

Beyond his concert performances, Allan offers engaging talks about his life in music, particularly his unique experiences as a student in Moscow during the Cold War. His presentations are enriched with musical anecdotes and performances that highlight different periods of his life.

Early Years

Born in Leeds into a musical family, Allan began learning the piano at six. By ten, he made his debut in Leeds Town Hall, playing a Mozart concerto with the Halle Orchestra under Sir John Barbirolli. This performance earned him invitations to perform with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain at the Edinburgh International Festival and on a tour of Holland and Belgium.

Teen Prodigy

While still in school, Allan continued to perform, making his London debut at the Royal Festival Hall and playing at the Royal Albert Hall with the National Youth Orchestra. He recorded his first recital for Pye-Nixa, which received favorable reviews, and appeared in the film 'The Lady is a Square' playing a Beethoven concerto.

Advanced Studies and International Success

After studying with Denis Matthews, Allan won a scholarship to the Moscow Conservatoire in 1961, becoming the first British pianist to do so. In Moscow, he met distinguished musicians such as David Oistrakh, Leonid Kogan, and Mstislav Rostropovich, and performed in significant venues like the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatoire.

Upon returning to England, Allan's career flourished with regional tours, concerto engagements, and numerous BBC broadcasts. His collaborations included working with the Fitzwilliam and Coull Quartets, Stefan Popov, Carl Pini, and participating in a wind quintet and a contemporary music group.

Continued Excellence

Described by The Guardian as "the ideal Mozart pianist," Allan's reputation led to invitations to major commemorations of Mozart's death. His career highlights include recitals at the Philharmonic Hall in Leningrad and the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatoire.

Recordings and Current Activities

Allan's extensive discography spans over forty years, featuring recordings of Mozart concertos, Delius violin sonatas, quintets by Bridge and Elgar, Schubert piano duets, and solo works by Beethoven, Mozart, and Schumann. He continues to perform regularly, give master classes, and entertain audiences with his talks on a life in music.

Recently, Allan has enjoyed combining business with pleasure by performing on luxury cruise liners.

Personal Life

Allan balances his musical career with a rich personal life. He enjoys sports, snooker, theatre, and walking with his wife, Rosemary. He maintains strong ties to his roots in Leeds, visiting family there regularly, and enjoys spending time with his eight grandchildren.

Acknowledgement

In recognition of his contributions to music and charity, Allan was awarded the British Empire Medal in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours list.