Tessa Uys is a renowned classical pianist who has made a significant contribution to the world of music. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 13th May 1946, Tessa Uys showed an early interest in music. Her parents were both musicians, and her father was a composer. Tessa Uys started playing the piano at the age of four, and by the time she was six, she had already given her first public performance. Tessa Uys received her early musical education in South Africa, where she studied with Adolph Hallis, a renowned pianist and teacher. She later went to London to study at the Royal College of Music, where she was a student of Kendall Taylor. She also studied with Maria Curcio, a pupil of Artur Schnabel, who had a significant influence on her playing. Tessa Uys made her debut at the Wigmore Hall in London in 1967, and since then, she has performed in major concert halls around the world. She has appeared as a soloist with many leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. She has also given recitals in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan. Tessa Uys has a vast repertoire, which includes works by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Schumann, Brahms, and many other composers. She is particularly known for her interpretations of the music of Schubert, and she has recorded all of his piano sonatas. Her recordings of Schubert's music have received critical acclaim, and she has been praised for her sensitive and insightful playing. Tessa Uys has also been a champion of contemporary music, and she has given many premieres of works by living composers. She has worked closely with many composers, including Hans Werner Henze, Peter Maxwell Davies, and John McCabe, and has recorded their music. Tessa Uys has received many awards and honors for her contributions to music. In 1970, she won the prestigious Harriet Cohen International Music Award, which is given to outstanding young musicians. She was also a prize-winner at the Leeds International Piano Competition in 1969. In 2001, she was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver by the South African government for her contribution to music. Tessa Uys has also been active as a teacher, and she has taught at many institutions, including the Royal College of Music in London and the University of Cape Town in South Africa. She has also given masterclasses in many countries, and has been a jury member for many international piano competitions. In addition to her musical activities, Tessa Uys has been involved in many charitable organizations. She has been a patron of the South African Music Rights Organization, which supports musicians in South Africa, and she has also been involved in the Music in Africa Foundation, which promotes music education in Africa. Tessa Uys continues to perform and record, and she remains an important figure in the world of classical music. Her playing is characterized by its sensitivity, musicality, and technical brilliance, and she has inspired many young musicians to pursue a career in music.

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