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Luiz de Moura-Castro (Piano)

Born: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The Brzilian pianist, Luiz [Luis] (Carlos) de Moura-Castro, is a graduate of the National School of Music, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (summa cum laude) and of the Lorenzo Fernandez Academy of Music, Rio de Janeiro and the Liszt Academy, Budapest. He gave his debut recital at the age of 9 at the Teatro Municipal after winning a competition.

Luiz de Moura-Castro has appeared with the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne, Lisbon Radio Orchestra, Filarmonichi di Turino, Bratislav & Janacek orchestras, Yaroslav Symphony, Russia, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Hartford and Syracuse symphonies, besides all the major Brazilian orchestras and Parabobo Orquestra, Venezuela. Solo recitals include Piccolo Scala, Milano Teatro Ghione, Roma Salle Gaveau, Paris; Palau de la Musica, Barcelona; Rubinstein Hall, St. Petersburg Academy; Merkin Hall, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Luiz de Moura-Castro was invited by Lily Kraus to teach at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth in 1968. In 1998, he began a visiting professorship at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. In addition, he works in Rio de Janeiro as a visiting Professor at the Pro Arte Seminarios de Musica and is chair of the Piano Department at the Conservatori Superior del Liceu in Barcelona, Spain. He has also taught at the University of Hartford, Hartt School of Music, Connecticut. He also teaches at the Conservatory of Girona, Spain, and at the Juan Cabrero Academy in Barcelona, Spain. Professor de Moura Castro is included in the World's Who's Who of Musicians, Benjamin Saver's The Most Wanted Piano Teachers in the U.S.A. and has lectured at the World Piano Pedagogy Conferences, 1996-2006 and is a regular adjudicator for the Fulbright Commision.

This past year, Luiz de Moura Castro appeared in festivals in Brazil, Argentina, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Japan, Canada, Venezuela and the United States. He organizes the annual Liszt Festival in Rio de Janeiro and is on the board of the American Liszt Society. He has lectured and played at the National Piano Pedagogy Conference in Ekaterinenburg, Russia; at the Ravello Summer School, Italy; and in Prague, Czech Republic. He has performed at Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.

His discography includes over 40 CD’s for Ensayo (Spain), Euterpe (Switzerland), L'Art (Brazil) and Musical Heritage Society (USA). He appeared on the front cover of the June 1998 issue of Amadeus, the most important music magazine of Spain with a 4 page extensive interview included within. He was nominated among the top 10 recordings of the November issue of Ritmo, the recording magazine in Spain, in "The Great Unknown-Piano de Cuba, Brasil Y Argentina." The magazine praised, "marvelous music translated into sound by a great pianist. Three memorable discs full of essence and very beautiful feelings."

His latest recordings include the Sergei Rachmaninov’s Piano Concertos Nos 2 & 3, Paganini Variations, Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, Momo Precoce by Heitor Villa-Lobos, Franz Liszt's Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2, Brazilian songs and piano music with Maria Jose Montiel (which was nominated for a Latin Grammy), a Piano Quintet of Henrique Oswald, a Schubert CD "Encanto", S. Rachmaninov's Suite for 4 Hands with Bridget de Moura Castro, the second volume of Frédéric Chopin's Nocturnes, Brazilian cello music with Guerra Vicente, and the 5 L.v. Beethoven Concertos with the Venezuela Symphony Orchestra. He has a new CD of works by Robert Schumann made in the spring of 2009.

Luiz de Moura-Castro married the English pianist, Mary Bridget (b April 11, 1941) on April 1, 1966; they played together as piano duo. They have 4 daughters.

de Moura Castro's recent debut in Holland received wonderful reviews: "The combination of Villa-Lobos' rhythmic fireworks and passionate melodic lines are right up his alley -- a marvel to hear." - Gooi en Eemlander (May 19, 1998)

 

Source: Luiz de Moura Castro Website; Bits & pieces from other sources
Contributed by
Aryeh Oron (March 2013)

Luiz de Moura-Castro: Short Biography | Recordings of Instrumental Works

Links to other Sites

Luiz de Moura Castro (Official Website)
Luiz de Moura Castro - Professor of Piano (The Hartt School)

Luiz de Moura Castro (Center of Musical Studies: Music Festival Faculty)
Curriculum of Luis de Moura Castro


Biographies of Performers: Main Page | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Explanation | Acronyms | Missing Biographies | The Sad Corner




 

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Last update: Monday, May 29, 2017 15:15