Harald Ossberger

Born in Graz in 1948, he grew up in Linz. He studied the piano with Grete Hinterhofer and Alexander Jenner at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, gaining his final diploma with distinction. He also is laureate of many competitions. He has performed in most European countries, in the Middle East and also in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, India, North, Middle and South America. Additionally he has made numerous radio, TV and CD recordings. Besides his solo career he is also a fervent chamber musician: since 1974 he is a member of the »Ensemble of the 20th Century«, Vienna. In 1978 he has founded the “Concordia Trio” (together with the violinist Erich Schagerl and the cellist Josef Luitz).

He has performed with partners like Florian Kitt, Milan Turkovic, René Staar, Josef Sivo, Roger Salander, Alois Brandhofer, Dieter Flury, Hermilo Novelo and Christian Altenburger. He also regularly performed with Henryk Szeryng in many European countries, starting in 1979 until the death of the violinist in 1988.

In 1991 he has founded a piano duo with Michael Lipp. Since 1976 he teaches at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, at the moment not only as university professor for piano (main subject) but also as lecturer for stylistics, performance practice, pianoforte, structural analysis and didactics. He also frequently teaches at seminars and courses at home and abroad.

Additionally he holds workshops, mostly together with Hartmut Krones, aiming at a synergy of art and science. He is member of the advisory board of the music schools of Lower Austria as well as of the case advisory board of the »Prima la Musica« competition.

He is also chairman of several juries. Since 2003 he is member of the music advisory board of the Austrian Federal Chancellery. He has published articles in various professional journals, book reviews and encyclopedia contributions. Since January 2000 he is president of the Austrian music council.