Role

:

Conductor  

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Classical

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Vocal

 

Neal Peres da Costa is a renowned classical music artist who has made significant contributions to the world of music as a pianist, harpsichordist, conductor, and musicologist. He was born on 22nd September 1961 in Sydney, Australia, to parents who were both musicians. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist, which meant that music was an integral part of his upbringing. Peres da Costa began his musical journey at a young age, learning to play the piano and harpsichord from his mother. He showed exceptional talent and was soon performing in public concerts. He went on to study at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he received a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance. He then pursued further studies in Europe, where he studied with renowned musicians such as Gustav Leonhardt and Kenneth Gilbert. Peres da Costa's career as a performer began in earnest in the 1980s, when he started performing as a soloist and chamber musician in Australia and Europe. He quickly gained a reputation as a virtuoso pianist and harpsichordist, known for his technical brilliance and musical sensitivity. He has performed with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the Australian Chamber Orchestra, the Academy of Ancient Music, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. One of Peres da Costa's most significant achievements as a performer was his recording of the complete keyboard works of J.S. Bach on the harpsichord. The recording, which was released in 2000, received critical acclaim and established Peres da Costa as one of the leading interpreters of Bach's music. He has also recorded works by other composers, including Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert. In addition to his career as a performer, Peres da Costa is also a respected musicologist and conductor. He has written extensively on the history and performance practice of keyboard music, with a particular focus on the music of the Baroque era. He has also conducted numerous orchestras and ensembles, including the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Peres da Costa has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. In 1991, he was awarded the Churchill Fellowship, which allowed him to study early keyboard instruments in Europe. He has also been awarded the prestigious Australia Council Fellowship and the New South Wales Premier's Award for Excellence in the Arts. In 2018, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to music. Peres da Costa continues to perform, record, and teach, and his contributions to the world of classical music are widely recognized and celebrated. He is known for his passion for music, his dedication to historical performance practice, and his commitment to sharing his knowledge and expertise with the next generation of musicians.

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