Born in former Yugoslavia in 1954, German pianist Robert Benz received his first piano lessons from his father at the age of four. After being taught by Naoyuki Taneda at the University of Music Karlsruhe, where he also graduated in conducting, Robert Benz went to The Juilliard School New York as a student of Rosina Lhevinne and Martin Canin.
Robert Benz became famous as the winner of the First prize of both, the International Busoni Competition in Bolzano 1974 and the International Liszt-Bartòk Competition in Budapest 1976.
He started an extensive career as a recitalist and soloist with orchestras throughout the world. His recordings include the complete 32 piano sonatas by Beethoven for the label Thorofon. In 1990 Robert Benz became professor of piano at the University of Music Mannheim. He decided to withdraw as a soloist and to concentrate on chamber music.
Since 1996 he is the pianist of Trio Bamberg and has performed and recorded most of the piano trio repertoire. In 2005 he became artistic director of the Ettlingen International Competition for Young Pianists. Today Robert Benz enjoys an international reputation as a teacher and is regularly serving as a jury member at international competitions.