Maria João Pires
Pianist
Specialized in classical and romantic repertoire. She was known for the intimacy and beauty of her interpretations.
She came in first at the Beethoven Bicentennial Competition in 1970, bringing her international attention.
Her Belgais Centre project for underprivileged Portuguese children was a partnership with her government that went sour and prompted her to relocate to Brazil.
Her family noticed her talents early on, and she gave her first recital when she was five and at seven was giving public performances of Mozart's piano concertos. She adopted her son Claudio when he was a baby.
She recorded Frederic Chopin's Nocturnes to great acclaim with Gramophone magazine declaring her interpretations to be the best around.