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Marcelo Bratke is a Brazilian classical pianist and conductor who has gained international recognition for his virtuosic performances and innovative programming. Born in São Paulo in 1961, Bratke began playing the piano at the age of five and showed exceptional talent from an early age. He studied with renowned Brazilian pianist Homero de Magalhães and later with Maria Tipo in Italy, where he also earned a degree in conducting from the Conservatorio di Musica Giuseppe Verdi in Milan. Bratke's career as a performer began in the 1980s, when he won several national and international competitions, including the Young Soloist Prize at the Rio de Janeiro International Piano Competition and the First Prize at the Maria Callas International Piano Competition in Athens. He quickly established himself as one of Brazil's leading pianists, performing with major orchestras and at prestigious festivals throughout the country. In the 1990s, Bratke began to expand his horizons, performing in Europe, Asia, and the United States. He made his debut at the Wigmore Hall in London in 1992 and has since performed at many of the world's leading concert halls, including Carnegie Hall, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. He has also collaborated with some of the world's leading conductors, including Sir Simon Rattle, Lorin Maazel, and Zubin Mehta. One of Bratke's most notable achievements as a performer was his recording of the complete piano works of Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos, which was released in 2009 to critical acclaim. The project took Bratke over a decade to complete and involved extensive research into Villa-Lobos's life and music. The recording was praised for its technical brilliance and emotional depth, and it helped to raise awareness of Villa-Lobos's music around the world. In addition to his work as a performer, Bratke is also a passionate advocate for music education and outreach. He has founded several music schools and festivals in Brazil, including the São Paulo International Piano Festival, which brings together young pianists from around the world for a week of masterclasses and performances. He has also worked with organizations such as UNICEF and the Brazilian Ministry of Culture to promote music education in underprivileged communities. Bratke's innovative programming has also been a hallmark of his career. He has explored the connections between classical music and other genres, such as jazz, rock, and Brazilian popular music, and has collaborated with musicians from a wide range of backgrounds. He has also commissioned new works from contemporary composers and has premiered several pieces written specifically for him. Throughout his career, Bratke has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. In 2010, he was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit by the Brazilian government, and in 2012 he was named a UNESCO Artist for Peace in recognition of his work promoting cultural diversity and dialogue. He has also been awarded the Medalha Anchieta, the highest honor given by the city of São Paulo, and the Medalha Carlos Gomes, the highest honor given by the Brazilian government for contributions to music. Today, Bratke continues to perform and record extensively, and he remains committed to promoting music education and outreach in Brazil and around the world.

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