As a Viennese piano teacher, Richard Robert was discussed in the same breath as Emil von Sauer and Theodor Leschetizky.
[3] His notable students included Kurt Adler, Hans Gál, Clara Haskil, Rudolf Serkin and George Szell.
[8] He studied music at the Vienna Conservatory,[5] under Julius Epstein (Gustav Mahler's teacher), Franz Krenn (teacher of Mahler and Leoš Janáček) and Anton Bruckner,[4][6] then worked as a theatre conductor (Kapellmeister) and pianist.
[3][13] Szell wrote a testimonial for Richard Robert's 60th birthday, stressing his kindness, integrity, modesty and readiness to help, aside from his musical skills.
This came about when he auditioned in Pilsen for Alfred Grünfeld, who was so impressed that he recommended Serkin study with Robert in Vienna.
[15] Serkin made his debut with the Vienna Symphony at age 12, playing the Mendelssohn's G minor Concerto,[16] but his family refused invitations for him to tour, in favour of continuing his studies with Robert.