Maria Harpner was born on May 12, 1985, in Vienna, Austria. She was born into a family of musicians, with her father being a renowned pianist and her mother a violinist. From a young age, Maria was exposed to classical music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Her parents recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Maria began her formal music education at the Vienna Conservatory at the age of six. She studied under the tutelage of renowned pianist and teacher, Professor Franz Schmidt. Maria's talent and dedication to her craft were evident from the beginning, and she quickly became one of Professor Schmidt's star pupils. At the age of 12, Maria made her debut performance at the Vienna State Opera, playing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major. The performance was a resounding success, and Maria received a standing ovation from the audience. This performance marked the beginning of Maria's career as a concert pianist. Over the next few years, Maria continued to perform at various venues across Europe, including the Royal Albert Hall in London and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Her performances were always well-received, and she quickly gained a reputation as one of the most talented young pianists in Europe. In 2003, Maria won first prize at the International Piano Competition in Warsaw, Poland. This was a major achievement for Maria, as the competition was one of the most prestigious in the world. Her performance of Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor was particularly impressive, and the judges praised her for her technical skill and musicality. Following her success at the International Piano Competition, Maria was invited to perform with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic and the New York Philharmonic. Her performances with these orchestras were widely praised, and she quickly became a sought-after soloist. In 2007, Maria released her debut album, which featured works by Chopin, Beethoven, and Liszt. The album was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish Maria as one of the leading pianists of her generation. Over the next few years, Maria continued to perform and record extensively. She collaborated with some of the world's leading conductors and orchestras, including Daniel Barenboim and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Her performances were always highly anticipated, and she continued to receive critical acclaim for her technical skill and musicality. In 2012, Maria was awarded the prestigious International Classical Music Award for her recording of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major. The award was a major achievement for Maria, as it recognized her as one of the leading classical musicians of her generation. In addition to her performing and recording career, Maria is also a dedicated music educator. She has taught masterclasses at some of the world's leading music schools, including the Juilliard School in New York and the Royal Academy of Music in London. She is passionate about passing on her knowledge and experience to the next generation of musicians. Today, Maria Harpner is widely regarded as one of the leading classical musicians of her generation. Her technical skill, musicality, and dedication to her craft have earned her a reputation as one of the most talented and respected pianists in the world.

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