Ricardo Peres Biography

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Ricardo Peres Biography

Reviews - Teachers - Role Models Hailed as "The Art Tatum of the Tango" by the Halifax Chronicle Herald, pianist Ricardo Peres brings a new attitude to concert audiences. His appearances are about music making, and making it interesting.

Peres challenges the conventions of the concert stage with musical syncretism. He delights in programing his own arrangements of the South American folk repertoire along with the European masters.

A recital by Ricardo Peres is likely to offer a Bach Partita side by side with a folk suite by Egberto Gismonti... or the Chopin Preludes followed by a set of Piazzolla tangos... or even chants from Amazon natives whom Peres has visited.

"Viscerally compelling" was how Fanfare magazine described the magnetic way he connects with his audiences. The Ottawa Citizen has defined his approach as "something fresh and unique on the piano".

A protégé of the late Malcolm Frager and Alicia de Larrocha during his studies in the United States, Peres appears regularly in North America to enthusiastic audiences. In a 1996 solo recital, Montréal critic Francine Labelle noted: "...Peres achieved a perfect partnership with his piano. A sort of miracle!"

Born in 1966, Peres began his concert career in 1982 with a televised concert in his native Brazil. Two years later, at 18, his debut recording made the Brazilian "Top Recordings of the Year" press list. He has since made records for the NOVADISC (1994), ATMA (1997) and PORT-ROYAL (1999) labels."

Ricardo Peres lives in Montréal, Canada.

Reviews

"Dance of the White Indian is a sweeping, virtuosic riot of pianistic colour and rhythm, and Peres handles it all with aplomb."
-American Record Guide (USA)

"...a talent of the first caliber, gloriously communicative, musical above all...the pianistic constellation of Brazil now has a new and sensational star of the keyboard..."
-Diario Popular (São Paulo - Brazil)

"Peres is a rare kind of musician, one who lives his music on such an intimately personal level, he cannot play anyone else's idea of anybody. When we listen to him we get the real goods, straight from the heart."
-The Chronicle Herald (Halifax - Canada)

"Ricardo Peres possesses a developed technique that serves well his intelligent and refined sensitivity."
- O Estado de São Paulo (Brazil/Brésil)

"Colourful and appealing recital of piano music. Peres performs with skill and poise..."
- Winnipeg Free Press (Winnipeg-Canada)

"...and it is in the Beethoven sonata that Ricardo Peres best displays his qualities: a well developed technique, distinctive sonority and extreme musicality."
- Folha da Tarde (Brazil/Brésil)

"The performance is charming, expert and, in the end, delightful."
- Fanfare (USA/États-Unis)

"...the performance demonstrated a naturalness and flair which brought the distinctive flavor of the pieces to life."
- The Evening Telegram (St. John's-Canada)

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Here is Ricardo (second from the right) chatting with Brazilian President Cardoso in Ottawa, April 23, 1997. [picture: R. Peres] Ricardo, a member of the "Council of Brazilians of Canada," is one of Brazil's culture flags in Canada. On the occasion, held at Rideau Hall, Ricardo presented Pres. Cardoso with his CD "Odeon."

Ricardo's Teachers
Amaral Vieira

Amaral Vieira (far right) was Ricardo's "teen years teacher". Vieira is seen here after attending one of Ricardo's performances in 1983. Ricardo is second from left.

German pianist Conrad Hansen (left) and his pupil Caio Pagano (right). Pagano, in turn, was Ricardo's teacher during his studies in the USA. [ return to top]

Ricardo's Role Models
Alfred Cortot

Alfred Cortot (1877-1962) was a musician's musician. His activities included decades of performances, recordings, conducting, teaching and publishing.

As a creative artist and performer Miles Davis consistently refused to "live in a box". His music making evolved since the early days of the bebop movement and continued to thrive till his death in 1991. Rachmaninoff at the piano

Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873 - 1943). More widely known as a composer, Rachmaninoff was also a pianist of immense communicative powers who would have great influence on his younger countryman, Vladimir Horowitz. Arthur Rubinstein practicing

Arthur Rubinstein (1887-1982) photographed practicing by his daughter Eva in 1969. Rubinstein brought a very unique and joyful energy to live performances.

A World-class pianist by any standard, Bill Evans chose the jazz idiom to express his musical philosophy. Bill was a colorist of genius whose playing was invariably elegant.

The most talented composer ever to come out of Brazil and one of the great 20th century musical minds, Villa-Lobos was a true folklorist. His music transcended styles, cultures and times.

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