Artists

After finishing her studies at Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa with the maximum classification under the supervision of the pianist Tania Achot, and a master's degree in piano performance at Catholic University of Porto with Filipe Pinto Ribeiro, she continued her musical studies at Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel with Jan Michiels and in Madrid with Claudio Mehner. She obtained her PHD degree in 2015 with “Summa cum laude” at the Escola das Artes of the Catholic University Porto under the orientation of the pianist Sofia Lourenço and the composer Paulo Ferreira Lopes.

She won several national and international prizes, including “Maria Campina” and “Princess Lalla Meryem”, and performed as soloist with the Brussels Chamber Orchestra, as a prize of Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel Competition for students of all instruments. She has played, since 2006, in countries as France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Brazil and China, as well as in the main Portuguese festivals and concert halls, including Dias da Música, Sintra Festival, Oeiras Festival, Mafra Festival, Centro Cultural de Belém, Auditório Ruy de Carvalho, Centro Cultural de Cascais and Olga Cadaval Cultural Center, as soloist and with the leading Portuguese orchestras and conductors.

She is the author of the book "Schumann´s Carnaval: work of genius and madness" (based in her PhD dissertation and with a preface of Professor Mário de Vieira de Carvalho) and has recorded four CDs: "Waltz Transfigured" with works by Schubert and Schumann, “Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1" with Orquestra do Norte, "Encounter", with works by Mozart and Schumann and the most recent "Identity", with music by Debussy, Prokofiev and Liszt.

Pianist of great originality, Teresa da Palma Pereira has been dedicated, in the last years, to a set of projects that aim to bring erudite music to new audiences, performing several cycles of commented recitals, as "Communication with music", "Classics outdoors", Classics for All" and " Classics in the Bookstore", at Fundação Portuguesa das Comunicações, Palace of the Aciprestes, in Linda-a-Velha, social quarters and the bookstore “Ler Devagar”, in Alcântara, respectively.

She´s also the Artistic Director of the Oeiras International Piano Festival since 2018.

Born in St. Petersburg, he attended the special school of music for highly gifted children of the Academy of Music of St. Petersburg. During school, he has performed more than 300 times in his hometown and in other Russian cities.

He completed his studies at the University of Music in Jerusalem and then with Prof. Vitalij Margulis at the Musikhochschule in Freiburg, where he obtained his concert exam diplom. Grigory Gruzman won a special award at the International Piano Competition in Monza (Italy) and in 1984 was a finalist at the Vercelli International Piano Competition (Italy).

As a soloist, chamber musician (among others, as a member of the Shostakovich Trio) and director of international masterclasses, he performed in 1974 in almost all European countries, in the Far East, Australia, Latin America and in USA more than 1000 times. Everywhere, his recitals were greeted by the public, the press and professional circles with great enthusiasm. "I have been waiting all my life for such an interpretation of Rigoletto's Paraphrase," said Herbert von Karajan once who invited Gruzman to Salzburg. International critics have repeatedly described Shostakovich's trio that he co-founded as one of the best chamber music groups of current days.

Radio and television broadcasters around the world broadcast about 100 of their performances. His adaptation of Modest Mussorgsky's "Pictures of an Exhibition" for the piano trio received special attention worldwide. Likewise, the CD with the Études, Op. 10 and Op. 25 Frédéric Chopin (organophon 90,112) and his CD with works by Johann Sebastian Bach, George Gershwin and Friedrich Gulda (PianoPlay, organophon 90,126) were highly acclaimed.

From 1998 to 2006, Gruzman worked as a lecturer at the Hamburg University of Music and Theater. In 2006, he was appointed professor of Franz Liszt Music University in Weimar. As a pedagogue, Gruzman can contemplate the achievements of many of his students, who have been awarded in several national and international competitions.

From 2005 to 2014, Gruzman was president of the Rachmaninov International Society.

He was artistic director and chairman of the jury of three international Rachmaninov competitions for children and teenagers of different age groups. Gruzman is often the jury of several international competitions abroad.

Since 2006, he is permanent director and chairman of the jury of the Liszt International Young Pianist Competition (every three years in Weimar).

He is also a founding member of the Trialogue Musical ensemble.

In 2013, Gruzman was unanimously elected director of the Institute of Keyboard Instruments at the Weimar Academy of Music.

Jan Michiels studied with Abel Matthys at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels. From 1988 to 1993 he studied at the Hochschule der Künste in Berlin under the direction of Hans Leygraf - he was awarded an exceptional distinction for his interpretations of Bartók's Second concerto for piano and Ligeti's Etudes. He was Tenuto-laureate in 1988 ; in 1989 he won the international E.Durlet competition. In 1991 he was laureate of the international Queen Elizabeth Competition. In 1992 he was awarded the JeM/ Cera prize for musicians and in 1996 he was signed up as festival star of the Flanders Festival. He is also laureate of the 'Gouden Vleugels/KBC Muziekprijs' 2006.

Jan Michiels is currently active as piano professor in the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel, where he also led the class of contemporary music for eight years. He conducted masterclasses in London, Murcia, Hamburg, Oslo, Montepulciano, Szombathely (Bartokfestival). He is fellow in the 'Platform' (VUB-KCB/The Brussels Model) and prepares a doctorate in the arts with the 'New Prometheus' of Luigi Nono as a guide. He regularly performs as a soloist or with chamber music ensembles (a.o. the Piano Quartet "Tetra Lyre" and a piano duo with Inge Spinette) in several musical centres in Europe and Asia, with conductors such as Angus, Asbury, Baudo, Boreycko, Edwards, Eötvös, Märkl, Meylemans, Nézet-Séguin, Ono, Pfaff, Rahbari, Rundel, Soustrot, Stern, Tabachnik, Tamayo, Zagrosek, Zender - but also with dance-productions of Anna Teresa De Keersmaeker, Vincent Dunoyer and Sen Hea Ha. His repertoire reaches from Bach to today.

Apart from his many radio recordings, he also recorded cd's with works from a.o. Bach, Bartók, Beethoven, Brahms, Busoni, Debussy, Dvorák, Janácek, Liszt, Rachmaninov, Ligeti, Kurtág and Goeyvaerts (these three last composers appreciated very much his interpretations). The cd 'Via Crucis' - a Liszt-portrait (Eufoda) - received a Caeciliaprize in 2002. He played different complete cycles: all Beethoven sonatas, all pianoworks of Schoenberg, Webern and Berg and the complete chamber music with piano of Johannes Brahms.

Consistently praised for her brilliant technique, tonal beauty, and superb musicianship, Canadian pianist Angela Cheng is one of her country’s national treasures. In addition to regular guest appearances with virtually every orchestra in Canada, she has performed with the symphonies of Alabama, Annapolis, Colorado, Flint, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Saint Louis, San Diego, Syracuse, and Utah, as well as the philharmonic orchestras of Buffalo, Louisiana, London, Minas Gerais/Brazil, and Israel.

In the 2019/2020 season, Ms. Cheng was scheduled to serve as an Artistic Partner of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, performing three concertos throughout the 19/20 season: de Falla’s Nights in the Gardens of Spain, Clara Schumann’s concerto in celebration of 200th anniversary of the composer’s birth, and Mozart’s 23rd piano concerto. Other highlights include return engagements with the symphonies of Vancouver, Victoria, and Symphony Nova Scotia, where she was also to perform the Clara Schumann concerto, as well as the Vancouver Recital Society. In the U.S., Ms. Cheng was to perform with the symphonies of Richmond, Canton, Ft. Worth, and Oklahoma City, as well as the IRIS Chamber Orchestra, for the Beethoven triple concerto with the Zukerman Trio. The Trio was also scheduled for extensive touring, including two European tours. In 20/21 she will be a featured guest artist with Portugal's Oeiras International Piano Festival, appear with the Rhode Island Philharmonic, and tour Europe and Asia, as well as appear at Ravinia, the Aspen Music Festival, Detroit Chamber Music and many others venues in the U.S. and abroad, as part of the Zukerman Trio.

Angela Cheng’s collaborations with Pinchas Zukerman began in 2009, when, at his invitation, she toured both Europe and China as a member of the Zukerman Chamber Players, and as Mr. Zukerman’s collaborative pianist. She joined them again in the spring of 2010 for a U.S. tour, which included concerts at Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and the 92nd Street Y in New York. Subsequent seasons have seen multiple tours of Europe and South America, including performances at the Salzburg Festival, the Musikverein in Vienna, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and at the Schleswig-Holstein and Ravinia festivals. With Mr. Zukerman and cellist Amanda Forsyth, as a member of the Zukerman Trio, Ms. Cheng made her debuts at the Verbier, Edinburgh, Miyazaki, St. Petersburg/Stars of the White Nights, and Enescu/Romania Festivals.

An avid recitalist, Ms. Cheng appears regularly on recital series throughout the United States and Canada and has collaborated with numerous chamber ensembles including the Takács, Colorado, and Vogler quartets. Festival appearances have included Banff, Bravo! Vail, Chautauqua, Colorado, Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival, La Jolla’s SummerFest, Ravinia, Vancouver, the Festival International de Lanaudière in Quebec, MasterWorks Festival, Toronto Summer Music Festival, and the Cartegena International Music Festival in Colombia.

Angela Cheng's debut recording of two Mozart concerti with Mario Bernardi and the CBC Vancouver Orchestra received glowing reviews. Other CDs include Clara Schumann's Concerto in A Minor with JoAnn Falletta and the Women's Philharmonic for Koch International; for CBC Records, four Spanish concerti with Hans Graf and the Calgary Philharmonic; both Shostakovich concerti with Mario Bernardi and the CBC Radio Orchestra; and a solo disc of selected works of Clara and Robert Schumann. Most recently, an all-Chopin recital CD was released by Universal Music Canada.

Ms. Cheng was Gold Medalist of the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Masters Competition, as well as the first Canadian to win the prestigious Montreal International Piano Competition. Other awards include the Canada Council’s coveted Career Development Grant and the Medal of Excellence for outstanding interpretations of Mozart from the Mozarteum in Salzburg.

Consistently praised for her brilliant technique, tonal beauty, and superb musicianship, Canadian pianist Angela Cheng is one of her country’s national treasures. In addition to regular guest appearances with virtually every orchestra in Canada, she has performed with the symphonies of Alabama, Annapolis, Colorado, Flint, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Saint Louis, San Diego, Syracuse, and Utah, as well as the philharmonic orchestras of Buffalo, Louisiana, London, Minas Gerais/Brazil, and Israel.

In the 2019/2020 season, Ms. Cheng was scheduled to serve as an Artistic Partner of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, performing three concertos throughout the 19/20 season: de Falla’s Nights in the Gardens of Spain, Clara Schumann’s concerto in celebration of 200th anniversary of the composer’s birth, and Mozart’s 23rd piano concerto. Other highlights include return engagements with the symphonies of Vancouver, Victoria, and Symphony Nova Scotia, where she was also to perform the Clara Schumann concerto, as well as the Vancouver Recital Society. In the U.S., Ms. Cheng was to perform with the symphonies of Richmond, Canton, Ft. Worth, and Oklahoma City, as well as the IRIS Chamber Orchestra, for the Beethoven triple concerto with the Zukerman Trio. The Trio was also scheduled for extensive touring, including two European tours. In 20/21 she will be a featured guest artist with Portugal's Oeiras International Piano Festival, appear with the Rhode Island Philharmonic, and tour Europe and Asia, as well as appear at Ravinia, the Aspen Music Festival, Detroit Chamber Music and many others venues in the U.S. and abroad, as part of the Zukerman Trio.

Angela Cheng’s collaborations with Pinchas Zukerman began in 2009, when, at his invitation, she toured both Europe and China as a member of the Zukerman Chamber Players, and as Mr. Zukerman’s collaborative pianist. She joined them again in the spring of 2010 for a U.S. tour, which included concerts at Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and the 92nd Street Y in New York. Subsequent seasons have seen multiple tours of Europe and South America, including performances at the Salzburg Festival, the Musikverein in Vienna, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and at the Schleswig-Holstein and Ravinia festivals. With Mr. Zukerman and cellist Amanda Forsyth, as a member of the Zukerman Trio, Ms. Cheng made her debuts at the Verbier, Edinburgh, Miyazaki, St. Petersburg/Stars of the White Nights, and Enescu/Romania Festivals.

An avid recitalist, Ms. Cheng appears regularly on recital series throughout the United States and Canada and has collaborated with numerous chamber ensembles including the Takács, Colorado, and Vogler quartets. Festival appearances have included Banff, Bravo! Vail, Chautauqua, Colorado, Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival, La Jolla’s SummerFest, Ravinia, Vancouver, the Festival International de Lanaudière in Quebec, MasterWorks Festival, Toronto Summer Music Festival, and the Cartegena International Music Festival in Colombia.

Angela Cheng's debut recording of two Mozart concerti with Mario Bernardi and the CBC Vancouver Orchestra received glowing reviews. Other CDs include Clara Schumann's Concerto in A Minor with JoAnn Falletta and the Women's Philharmonic for Koch International; for CBC Records, four Spanish concerti with Hans Graf and the Calgary Philharmonic; both Shostakovich concerti with Mario Bernardi and the CBC Radio Orchestra; and a solo disc of selected works of Clara and Robert Schumann. Most recently, an all-Chopin recital CD was released by Universal Music Canada.

Ms. Cheng was Gold Medalist of the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Masters Competition, as well as the first Canadian to win the prestigious Montreal International Piano Competition. Other awards include the Canada Council’s coveted Career Development Grant and the Medal of Excellence for outstanding interpretations of Mozart from the Mozarteum in Salzburg.

Nikolai Lugansky is a pianist who combines elegance and grace with powerful virtuosity, a true incarnation of the Russian tradition on the international classical stage. Recognised as a master of Russian and late romantic repertoire, Lugansky is renowned for his interpretations of Rachmaninov, Prokofiev, Chopin and Debussy. He has received numerous awards for recordings and artistic merit.

He regularly works with top level conductors such as Yuri Temirkanov, Kent Nagano, Mikhail Pletnev, Gianandrea Noseda and Vladimir Jurowski. Concerto highlights for the 2020/21 season include performances with Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg, BBC Symphony Orchestra in London, Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra and NHK in Tokyo. Lugansky also tours Europe with Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal.

A regular recitalist the world over, during this season Lugansky appears in Paris, Prague, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Vienna Konzerthaus and Wigmore Hall in London. Lugansky regularly performs at the La Roque-d'Anthéron Festival in France, with the last season marking the 23^rd consecutive year of appearance.

In June 2019 Nikolai Lugansky received the Russian Federation National Award in Literature and Art, for his contribution to the development and advancement of Russian and international classical music culture over the past 20 years. Lugansky was awarded the honour of People’s Artist of Russia in April 2013, which is the highest honorary title for outstanding achievement in the arts.

In addition to performing, Lugansky has been a professor at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory since 1998. He is also the Artistic Director of the Tambov Rachmaninov Festival and is a supporter of, and regular performer at, the Rachmaninov Estate and Museum of Ivanovka.

Described by Gramophone as “the most trailblazing and meteoric performer of all” Nikolai Lugansky is a pianist of extraordinary depth and versatility. He appears at some of the world's most distinguished festivals, including the Aspen, Tanglewood Ravinia and Verbier festivals.  Chamber music collaborators include Vadim Repin, Alexander Kniazev, Mischa Maisky and Leonidas Kavakos.

Nikolai Lugansky has won several awards for his many recordings. His recital CD featuring Rachmaninov's Piano Sonatas won the Diapason d’Or, whilst his recording of concertos by Grieg and Prokofiev with Kent Nagano and the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin was a Gramophone Editor’s Choice. Lugansky has an exclusive contract with harmonia mundi and his Rachmaninov’s 24 Preludes, released in April 2018, met with enthusiastic reviews.  He was described as having “an ability to enchant the ear… with a deep feeling for the music” (The Financial Times).  His recording of solo piano music by Debussy was released in the 2018 anniversary year and his most recent release ‘César Frank, Préludes, Fugues & Chorals’ (March 2020) won the Diapason d’Or.