Maria João Pires (Photo: Caroline Doutre)
Internationally-acclaimed pianist Maria João Pires has announced a pause on all public performances. The 80-year-old artist released a statement on social media explaining her decision to pull away from the public eye.
“A cerebrovascular health issue has arisen, which I see as a sign — perhaps a warning,” writes the pianist. “I will devote this period to rediscovering the balance between body and spirit, and to finding joy in retreating, reading, meditating, and learning from the lessons life wishes to teach me.” The artist suffered a stroke in early June, resulting in the cancellation of her June concerts.
The Portuguese pianist has three Grammy nominations and a colorful, distinctive repertoire. She gave her first public piano performance at the age of seven, playing one of Mozart’s piano concertos in Porto, Portugal. After studying at the Lisbon Conservatory under Campos Coelho and Francine Benoît, she went on to make her debut at some of the world’s greatest music halls, including Carnegie Hall in 1989. Counted among her many honors include first place at the 1970 International Beethoven Competition, the 1989 Pessoa Prize, UNESCO’s International Music Council prize, and Japan’s Praemium Imperiale Award.
As a recording artist, Maria João Pires specializes in solo piano music, known especially for her interpretations of Beethoven, Schubert, and Mozart. In fact, she went viral a few years ago for her incredible performance despite discovering that she learned the wrong concerto… in the middle of a packed open dress rehearsal. Her work in chamber music is also well documented, especially her collaborations with violinist Augustin Dumay.
As a philanthropist, Pires has started two charities: the Belgais Centre for the Study of the Arts in 1999, and the Partitura Choirs in 2012. Both supply children from rural and low-income communities with opportunities for music making, including through the creation of group ensembles.
