With performances of about 3000 works by almost 1200 composers Rainer Maria Klaas is the pianist with the largest repertoire in Europe. Born in Recklinghausen he studied under Detlef Kraus and Klaus Hellwig (Folkwang-Hochschule Essen) as well as Yara Bernette (Musikhochschule Hamburg); he graduated as concert pianist in 1977. Participation in masterclasses among others with Guido Agosti, Czeslaw Marek and Jorge Bolet. Concerts, masterclasses and jury activities in Europe, Israel, the USA and East Asia; numerous CD recordings and radio productions. Founder of the integral::musiken Ruhr 1975, co-founder of the concert series for talented young musicians DEBUT UM 11 (1992); editor and publisher of the Piano Annual (1978–1983), initiator and programmer of concert cycles throughout North Rhine Westphalia. Head of a piano class at the Musikhochschule Dortmund (1985–2002). Since 2002 increased appearances as a conductor.

Photo: (c) Michael Baker