Conservatory of Music Director Bruce MacIntyre reported the sad news this morning that pianist and conservatory faculty member German Diez had passed:

“We are very sorry to report that German Diez, 90, adjunct associate professor of piano at the conservatory, died yesterday after a short illness. German taught several of the conservatory’s piano students since he joined our faculty in 1998. He was born in La Habana, Cuba, where he graduated from the Iranzo Conservatorio de Musica with the highest honors. He was an active concert artist in both Cuba and the United States, appearing on both radio and television as well as premiering several works by American composers in various music festivals. He had been teaching piano since 1948, and many of his students have gone on to very distinguished careers, winning many competitions. Since 1968 he served as chair of the Piano Department at the Greenwich House Music School. German also taught piano students from Bard College and SUNY/Purchase.”