A Celebration of Maestro German Diez

You’re cordially invited to a special celebration of Maestro German Diez in what would’ve been his 100th year (1924 – 2024)! Maestro Diez served as our beloved piano chairperson for over 50 years. The concert will feature performances from German’s former students, peers, and current GHMS faculty including Erika Nickrenz, Antoine Zemor, Bruce Wolosoff, Joan Tower, Jeni Slotchiver, Bennett Lerner, and more. This event will benefit the programming and operations of Greenwich House Music School.

Concert Info:

Doors 6:30 pm, Concert 7 pm

All proceeds will benefit Greenwich House Music School.

VIP tickets include a cocktail party at 5:30-6:30 pm at the little owl and reserved concert seating.

Maestro German Diez:

German Diez was born in Havana, Cuba on June 18, 1924. After graduating with highest honors from the Iranzo Conservatorio de Musica in Havana, where he won the National Music Award competition for studies in foreign countries in 1945, he came to the United States to study with Claudio Arrau. He performed in the West Indies, Cuba, the United States, and appeared on many radio and television programs. He began his career as a pedagogue in 1948, and taught winners of many piano competitions, such as the prestigious William Kapell Piano Competition and the National Fulbright Awards screening committee.

Maestro Diez came on board as piano faculty to Greenwich House Music School in 1950 and became Chair of the piano department in 1968. He was also on faculty at Bard College, SUNY Purchase, Hunter College, and the Brooklyn Conservatory. He also assisted in the development of the book “Piano Lessons with Claudio Arrau” by Victoria A. Von Arx. Over the course of his tenure at Greenwich House Music School, Maestro Diez taught more than 1,500 students. His influence can be seen in every aspect of the school’s operations, including the way it gauges student progress through recitals and end-of-year concerts. In 1997 Greenwich House established a fund for the German Diez Piano Scholarship. The scholarships in his name are given on the basis of merit and need to promising piano students.