Country

:

Philippines

Birth

:

May 11, 1961 in Manila, Philippines

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

Cecile Licad is a renowned classical pianist who has captivated audiences around the world with her virtuosic performances and deep musicality. Born in Manila, Philippines in 1961, Licad showed an early aptitude for music and began studying piano at the age of three. Her talent was quickly recognized, and she was soon performing in public and winning competitions. In 1978, Licad was awarded a scholarship to study at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where she studied with renowned pianist Rudolf Serkin. She quickly established herself as one of the most promising young pianists of her generation, and her performances were praised for their technical brilliance and emotional depth. Licad's breakthrough performance came in 1981, when she was invited to perform with the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Zubin Mehta. Her performance of the Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3 was a sensation, and she was hailed as a rising star in the classical music world. Over the next few years, Licad continued to perform with major orchestras around the world, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She also made a number of highly acclaimed recordings, including a series of Chopin recordings for the MusicMasters label. In 1991, Licad suffered a serious injury to her right hand, which threatened to end her career. She underwent extensive rehabilitation and was eventually able to return to performing, although she had to make some adjustments to her technique. Despite this setback, Licad continued to perform at the highest level, and her performances were praised for their sensitivity and musicality. In addition to her performing career, Licad has also been active as a teacher and mentor to young musicians. She has taught at the Manhattan School of Music and the University of Houston, and has served as a judge for numerous piano competitions. Throughout her career, Licad has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to classical music. She was awarded the prestigious Avery Fisher Prize in 1985, and was named a United Nations Ambassador of Goodwill in 1992. She has also been awarded the Order of Lakandula, one of the highest honors given by the Philippine government. Today, Licad continues to perform and record, and remains one of the most respected and admired pianists of her generation. Her performances are characterized by their technical brilliance, emotional depth, and profound musicality, and she continues to inspire audiences and musicians around the world.

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