The sentiment and spirit of SHARING and GIVING is the essence of Maria João Pires ' project called 'PARTITURA'. "The concept is very...

Many people asked: What kind of healing are you doing in your piano workshops and why healing at all ? To start with, allow me to explain...

COLOURING IN is a simple activity that does not require any special ability. Although it involves colours and, consequently, their effect on the brain, mind, and emotions, it can help performing artists fully develop their potential and improve their performance. Guided colouring activities can help develop and improve: Attention to detail Fine motor skills Concentration Reaction time Self confidence Creativity Imagination All of these, in turn, contribute to the overall prog

Spreading a unique interdisciplinary vision and approach to music and arts around the globe - helping to develop authentic creative...

A useless feeling ? Or valuable information ? A feeling one usually tries to suppress as something to be ashamed of. A deeply miserable feeling ! However, I would say it is neither good nor bad. It is a map—a blueprint of our suppressed needs—and, as such, it can help us understand what is missing and inspire us to fulfill those needs in a healthy and conscious way. Jealousy is screaming: "This is where you are starving yourself." Instead of seeing it as something to suppress

"Never give your sacred belongings to anyone who does not know their value. Do not throw your pearls before those who cannot cherish them, or they will trample them underfoot and turn to tear you apart." ~ Xenia E. Zilli (a paraphrase of a famous biblical proverb) The Law of the Closed Gate - Protecting Your Peace and Sacred Energy: There is a beautiful, sacred spiritual law (and the law of the heart): the people we invite into our inner world must be able to recognize the va

Feedback, especially when it is deeply honest, is a blessing. Even when it is incredibly hard to swallow. Honestly, especially then ! In fact, a difficult truth is often much more valuable and potentially helpful than praise. While a compliment feels nice, it is the uncomfortable feedback that contains the actual raw power of growth within itself. True, honest feedback is meant to build us up, not destroy us. But its ultimate power depends entirely on how we choose to receive

When audiences attend a concert, recital, theater performance, or dance production, they witness the final result of countless hours of preparation, dedication, and sacrifice. What they rarely see is the reality that lies behind the performance—the challenges, uncertainties, and demands that are an integral part of an artist's life. "Artists live with instability all the time. We never know what tomorrow will bring." ~ Maria João Pires This simple statement captures a truth f

Happy 85th Birthday to one of my favourite Geminis—and one of the greatest pianists of all time—Martha Argerich. Thank you for the music, dear Martha, and for enriching our lives with your extraordinary artistry. For decades, you have graced audiences around the world with interpretations of unparalleled brilliance, passion, imagination, and authenticity. Your playing continues to inspire, astonish, and move generations of listeners and musicians alike. Thank you for sharing

At 81 (almost 82), one of the greatest pianists of our time lives far from the stages that made her famous. She traded them for the land and silence of Belgais, in Castelo Branco, where she discovered another rhythm of time and another way of listening. A rebel from the beginning — “I have always challenged things” — she built a life marked by transgression and freedom, often resisting what was expected of a woman of her generation. Along the way, she confronted pressure and

What my profession is — and what it is not. It is not about having thousands of followers*. It is not about counting “likes” on social media. It is not about fame, image, or constant visibility. It is not about competition or proving superiority. It is not about empty virtuosity, speed, or performance for its own sake. And it certainly is not about appearances. My profession is about a lifelong love and devotion to MUSIC. It is about seeking truth, beauty, depth, meaning, and

Grigory Sokolov playing Long hours at the piano require not only concentration and discipline, but also intelligent rest . The quality of your breaks can strongly influence both your physical health and your musical focus. A thoughtful routine helps protect the hands, release accumulated tension, and allow the mind to absorb what has just been practiced. Many musicians already do useful things during breaks—listening to great performances, writing, drawing, exercising, or sim

picture ©Xenia E. Zilli I am a soul that is deeply communicative and endlessly curious. I have always been someone who thrives on exploration—of ideas, of people, of perspectives, of the world within and the world around me. Conversation, connection, and the exchange of thoughts and experiences are not just things I enjoy; they are essential parts of who I am. They are how I learn, how I grow, and how I experience life in its fullness. At this point in my life, I have come to

Inspired by Bloody Daughter — a film by Stéphanie Argerich I suggest you watch the film first—once, or even twice—paying close attention to the details. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV2jPWyQOqE When Martha Argerich says, “I am not really important to anyone,” while, at that very moment, her music is reaching millions—slipping quietly into their hearts, accompanying their solitude, giving shape to emotions they cannot name—I almost burst into tears, fully realising that

Healing Hands Mozart’s Lacrimosa… A small snippet of music I’ve been listening to during my day-to-day recovery journey — a path where, at times, I almost lost all hope. 🙏🏼 (I had a bad fall in October 2025 that created an issue which simply didn’t want to go away. Recovery has been slow and, at moments, uncertain.) It reminds me to appreciate the quiet but sacred moments: the steady progress, the unexpected discoveries, and the joy that slowly returns. Deep gratitude for t

For this year’s romantic piano concert, I have prepared a true feast for you: I begin my 2026 concert year with one of my most cherished programs, Songs Without Words* by Felix Mendelssohn. He has always been a composer very close to my heart, and over the past year his music has taken on a particularly meaningful role in my life and artistic journey. In their seeming simplicity, these pieces conceal a world of depth. Mendelssohn speaks where words fall silent, weaving delica

Sviatoslav Richter practising ... Happy first day of the year pianists and pianists in making ......... Enough celebrating—now go and PRACTISE ! No extended holidays for pianists, lol. As Richter famously said: “One day without practicing, and I notice it. Two days, and my family/friends notice it. Three days, and the audience notices it.” Touché ! Richter really knew how to deliver a truth that stings but also - motivates. All right—no holiday excuses for pianists. Time to p

With my heart open and grateful, I am getting ready to step into 2026 with you. May we move slowly enough to hear our hearts speak, to trust their gentle guidance, and to let love lead us—again and again. May we grow with tenderness, stretching beyond what feels safe, not to prove anything, but to remember who we are becoming. May our days be filled with kindness and care, with long, warm embraces, soft kisses, and quiet moments that say you are held, you are home . May we l

Christmas Piano Recital 2025 at 'Maria João Pires' Hall I’m thrilled to (finally) share that a Christmas Piano Recital will once again light up the Maria João Pires Hall this December. These past seven months have been filled with demanding, strength-stretching projects and family commitments, and for a moment I wasn’t sure I could make it happen. Yet despite the whirlwind, the spirit of the season is already calling — and I cannot wait to gather together in a hall glowing wi

Maria João Pires received the prestigious Helena Vaz da Silva European Prize this Saturday (1 November 2025) at the Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon. The jury described her as an “extraordinary interpreter,” a “visionary educator,” a “cultural thinker,” and a “silent revolutionary in the field of world heritage.” Do you see yourself in these attributes ? It’s a huge compliment, but I see myself mainly in action. I belong to the group of people who need to be active in bringing