Enrique Graf facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Enrique Graf
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| Background information | |
| Born | July 18, 1953 Montevideo, Uruguay |
| Genres | Classical |
| Occupation(s) | Classical Pianist |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Labels | Centaur, Cougar Classics, Intersound, Carlton Classics |
Enrique Graf (born in 1953) is a talented pianist from Uruguay and the United States. He is known for his amazing classical piano performances around the world.
Contents
Enrique Graf's Early Life and Music Journey
Enrique Graf was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1953. He started playing the piano when he was just four years old, learning from his mother. Later, he went to the Falleri-Balzo Conservatory to continue his music studies.
He won every national music competition in Uruguay. Because of his success, he received a special scholarship in 1973. This scholarship allowed him to study with a famous piano teacher, Leon Fleisher, at the Peabody Conservatory in the United States.
Winning Piano Competitions
Enrique Graf has won several important piano competitions:
- In 1978, he won First Prize in the William Kapell International Piano Competition.
- He also won the National Ensemble Piano Competition in 1977.
- In 1981, he took First Prize in the East and West International Competition in New York.
Performing Around the World
Enrique Graf has performed as a solo pianist with many orchestras. He has played with groups like the Baltimore, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh Symphonies. He has also performed with national orchestras in countries like Ukraine, Chile, Uruguay, Peru, and Colombia.
He has played in famous places such as:
- Lincoln Center and Kennedy Center in the United States.
- St. Martin in the Fields in London, England.
- The Cultural Centers of Manila, Philippines, and São Paulo, Brazil.
- Teatro Opera in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
He has also been part of many music festivals. These include the Chautauqua Festival in the US and Music Fest Perugia in Italy.
Playing with Other Musicians
Enrique Graf also loves playing chamber music. This is music for a small group of instruments. He has toured with groups like the Cuarteto Latinoamericano and the Ives Quartet. He has also performed with wind ensembles and string quartets.
Music He Has Performed
Enrique Graf has played many different piano concertos. A concerto is a piece of music for a solo instrument and an orchestra. He has performed works by famous composers like Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky.
He has also premiered (played for the very first time) new concertos. These include pieces by Florencia Di Concilio and Edward Hart. He also recorded a concerto by Leonardo Balada for the Naxos record label.
His Recordings
Enrique Graf has released several recordings. One of his CDs, featuring music by Francis Poulenc, was highly praised. The Sunday London Times called it a "pick of the week."
His first recording, "Enrique Graf plays Bach," was also very popular. A music critic from the Washington Post said it settled the debate about playing Bach on the piano. Other recordings include music by Mozart, Mendelssohn, and Mussorgsky. His latest CDs feature live performances and collaborations with violinist Cecilia Penadés.
Teaching and Inspiring Young Musicians
Enrique Graf is also a dedicated teacher. He taught at the Peabody Preparatory for 14 years. He became the head of the piano department there. He even received an award for his excellent teaching.
He also created a great piano program at the University of Charleston. There, he was named the University Artist in Residence. He also taught at Carnegie Mellon University.
His Students' Success
Many of Enrique Graf's students have won national and international music competitions. He has also been a judge in competitions all over the world. He gives special master classes to students at top music schools. These include Yale University, Oberlin, and Eastman Conservatories. He has also taught at conservatories in Shanghai, Kyiv, and Hong Kong.
Leading Music Festivals
Enrique Graf helps organize music events. He founded and directs the Festival Internacional de Colonia in Uruguay. He also directed the International Piano Series in Charleston. He co-founded Music Fest Perugia in Italy, which is a popular music festival.
Awards and Recognition
Enrique Graf has received many awards for his musical achievements. These include:
- A Fellowship from the Aspen Institute Executive Seminar.
- The Music Fellowship from the South Carolina Arts Commission.
- Career Grants from the Charles Del Mar and Astral Foundations.
- The Immigrant Achievement Award in 2000 from the American Immigration Law Foundation.
See also
In Spanish: Enrique Graf para niños
