Christian Zacharias studied at the Staatliche Hochschule fur Musik, Karlsruhe (1960-1969) and in Paris with Vlado Perlemuter (1970-1973). In 1969 he won second prize in the Geneva International Competition, in 1973 second prize and special award for chamber music in the Van Cliburn Competition, and in 1975 first prize in the Ravel Competition in Paris. In 1979 he made his US debut with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Zacharias is also an active chamber musician, performing with Ulf Hoelscher, Heinrich Schiff, the Alban Berg Quartet and other ensembles. His solo repertory is based on the Classical and early Romantic composers, and he has recorded Mozart's concertos and sonatas, Schubert's piano sonatas, Beethoven's concertos and several sonatas, and works by Schumann. Zacharias's playing is distinguished by its lucidity and singing tone, and he frequently plays his own cadenzas.