Bulgaria’s Ministry of Culture confirmed Monday the death of Weissenberg, who was born in the capital Sofia but spent most of his life abroad.

In a condolence letter posted online Culture Minister Vezhdi Rashidov hailed Weissenberg as “one of the greatest performers of the 20th century, piano virtuoso and world-known teacher of Bulgarian origin.”

Bulgarian national radio reported Weissenberg suffered a long illness and died Sunday in Lugano, Switzerland, where his family had settled.