Son of Rudolf Serkin and grandson of Adolf Busch, he was a concert pianist ad a music professor.
He studied at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, graduating in 1964. Two years later, he won the Grammy Award for most promising new classical recording artist, with his recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations.
He made several records, performed solo recitals around the world, accompanied leading orchestras and chamber groups, and taught at the Juilliard School, Tanglewood, Curtis Institute of Music, and Bard College Conservatory of Music.