Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Concerto

 

Feliz Elias was born on May 12, 1985, in Madrid, Spain. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a renowned classical guitarist and his mother a pianist. From a young age, Feliz showed a natural talent for music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Feliz's parents recognized his potential and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. He began taking formal piano lessons at the age of six and quickly progressed, impressing his teachers with his technical ability and musicality. By the age of ten, Feliz had already won several local piano competitions and was gaining a reputation as a prodigy. As Feliz continued to develop his skills, he began to explore other areas of music, including composition and conducting. He studied composition with renowned Spanish composer Manuel de Falla and conducting with Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos. These experiences helped Feliz to develop a deep understanding of music theory and structure, which he would later apply to his performances. In 2003, Feliz was accepted into the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied piano performance under the guidance of Yoheved Kaplinsky. During his time at Juilliard, Feliz continued to win awards and accolades, including the Gina Bachauer Piano Scholarship and the Arthur Rubinstein Prize. After graduating from Juilliard in 2007, Feliz began to establish himself as a soloist and chamber musician. He made his debut at Carnegie Hall in 2008, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 with the New York Philharmonic. The performance was a critical success, with The New York Times praising Feliz's "virtuosic technique and sensitive interpretation." Over the next few years, Feliz continued to perform at major venues around the world, including the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Sydney Opera House. He also collaborated with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Tokyo Philharmonic. In addition to his solo work, Feliz was also an active chamber musician, performing with some of the world's leading ensembles, including the Emerson String Quartet and the Guarneri Quartet. He was known for his ability to blend seamlessly with other musicians, creating a cohesive and dynamic sound. Throughout his career, Feliz received numerous awards and honors, including the Avery Fisher Career Grant, the Gilmore Artist Award, and the International Classical Music Award. He was also a frequent guest on radio and television programs, including NPR's "Performance Today" and PBS's "Live from Lincoln Center." Despite his success, Feliz remained humble and dedicated to his craft. He continued to practice for hours each day, always striving to improve his technique and interpretation. He also remained committed to promoting classical music to a wider audience, often performing in schools and community centers. Tragically, Feliz's career was cut short when he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2015. Despite undergoing treatment, he passed away on June 15, 2016, at the age of 31. His death was a great loss to the classical music world, but his legacy lives on through his recordings and the countless musicians he inspired.

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