1960 | 1970 My Career as a Pianist Begins

• 1962 - Wins the German Radio (ARD) Competition in Munich
• July 1964 - Makes his first recording (Mozart) in Hanover for Deutsche Grammophon following the signing of a contract with the label
• August 1965 - Wins First Prize in the Clara Haskil International Piano Competition in Switzerland
• May 1966 - Further recordings for Deutsche Grammophon (Schumann)
• December 1966 - Makes his first concerto recording for DG together with Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic (Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1)
• 1967 - Begins following conducting lessons with George Szell
• January 1969 - Gives his United States debut as pianist with the Cleveland Orchestra upon the invitation and with George Szell and continues his conducting studies under the Maestro