Born:

Died: October 1, 2022

George Katz, a graduate of the 1956 Naumburg Competition is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music. Following winning the Naumburg, he was given a Fulbright grant to study in Paris where he studied with Alfred Cortot. He performed concerts throughout Europe as well as in Japan, Latin American and the U.S.

He was a longtime member of the Ohio University music faculty later teaching at San Diego State University.

With his wife, Julia, Katz, after retirement, the couple lived on their sailboat and even cruised the inner water passage to Alaska on their sailboat.

‍

Excerpt from The New York Times review, November 27, 1961

Pianist Gives Program

George Katz Shows Ability in Carnegie Hall Recital

"The pianist, a former Naumburg winner now teaching at Ohio University, has a solid technique, clear piano tone and an ability to say what he has to say directly and with fine taste... The Mozart B flat Sonata and the Schumann Fantasie had shape a poise. But it was the second half of the program that the pianist really came forward and added great measures of color, character and variety to his musical assets. He played the Debussy Images, Book I, in a way that was shimmering and sensitive, yet always fresh and as clear as a bright landscape from a sunny mountaintop. He performed the Brahms Variations on a Theme of Paganini, Book II with the kind of fire, brio and brimstone that turned into a first-class display of both sparks and substance." E.S.

Excerpts from The New York Times review, November 7, 1968

George Katz Excels in Scriabin Sonata

"If you ever have the opportunity to hear George Katz play Scriabin's Piano Sonata No. 5, don't miss it... his performance was spectacular." Allan Hughes

‍