Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

Washington Barella was a renowned classical music artist who was born on January 15, 1950, in São Paulo, Brazil. He was the youngest of three children and grew up in a family that was passionate about music. His father was a pianist, and his mother was a singer, and they both encouraged their children to pursue music. Barella began his musical journey at the age of six when he started taking piano lessons. He showed a natural talent for music, and his parents recognized his potential. They enrolled him in the São Paulo State School of Music, where he studied piano, music theory, and composition. At the age of 16, Barella won his first piano competition, which was organized by the São Paulo State School of Music. This victory gave him the confidence to pursue a career in music. He continued his studies at the school and graduated with a degree in piano performance. After graduation, Barella began performing in various concerts and recitals in Brazil. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented pianist and was invited to perform with some of the country's leading orchestras. In 1975, he won the prestigious São Paulo Piano Competition, which was a turning point in his career. The following year, Barella was invited to perform at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, Russia. This competition was one of the most prestigious piano competitions in the world, and Barella was the first Brazilian pianist to participate. He performed exceptionally well and was awarded the third prize, which was a significant achievement for a young pianist from Brazil. Barella's success at the Tchaikovsky Competition opened many doors for him. He was invited to perform in concerts and recitals all over the world, and he quickly became a sought-after pianist. He performed with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. In 1980, Barella was invited to perform at the Salzburg Festival in Austria. This festival was one of the most prestigious classical music festivals in the world, and Barella's performance was highly acclaimed. He was invited back to the festival several times and became a regular performer. Barella's repertoire was vast, and he was known for his interpretations of the works of Beethoven, Chopin, and Liszt. He was also a champion of contemporary music and premiered many works by Brazilian composers. Throughout his career, Barella received many awards and honors. In 1983, he was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit by the Brazilian government for his contributions to Brazilian music. In 1990, he was awarded the Medal of Honor by the City of São Paulo for his outstanding achievements in music. Barella was also a dedicated teacher and taught at the São Paulo State School of Music for many years. He was known for his passion for music and his ability to inspire his students. Many of his students went on to have successful careers in music. In 2000, Barella retired from performing and teaching. He continued to be involved in music and served as a judge for many piano competitions. He also worked as a consultant for the São Paulo State School of Music and helped to develop new programs and initiatives. Washington Barella passed away on June 15, 2015, at the age of 65. He left behind a legacy as one of Brazil's greatest classical music artists.

More....