Artur Pizarro

A true legend

Born in Lisbon, Portugal in 1968, Artur Pizarro gave his first public performance at the age of three and made his television début on Portuguese television at the age of four. He had been introduced to the instrument by his maternal grandmother, pianist Berta da Nóbrega, and her piano-duo partner, Campos Coelho who was a student of Vianna da Motta, Ricardo Viñes and Isidor Philipp. From 1974 to 1990 Artur studied with Sequeira Costa who had also been a student of Vianna da Motta and of Mark Hamburg, Edwin Fischer, Marguerite Long and Jacques Février. This distinguished lineage immersed Artur in the tradition of the ‘Golden Age’ of pianism and gave him a broad education in both the German and French piano schools and repertoire. During a brief interruption of his studies in the USA, Artur also studied with Jorge Moyano in Lisbon, and in Paris worked with Aldo Ciccolini, Géry Moutier and Bruno Rigutto.

Artur won first prizes in the 1987 Vianna da Motta Competition, the 1988 Greater Palm Beach Symphony Competition and won first prize at the 1990 Leeds International Pianoforte Competition, which marked the beginning of an international concert career.

Artur Pizarro performs internationally in recital, chamber music and with the world’s leading orchestras and conductors including Sir Simon Rattle, Philippe Entremont, Yan Pascal Tortelier, Sir Andrew Davis, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Yuri Temirkanov, Vladimir Fedoseyev, Ilan Volkov, Franz Welser- Most, Tugan Sokhiev, Yakov Kreizberg, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Libor Pešek, Vladimir Jurowski, Ion Marin, John Wilson and the late Sir Charles Mackerras.

Artur is an active chamber musician and has performed at chamber music festivals throughout the world. Artur Pizarro has recorded extensively for Collins Classics, Hyperion Records, Linn Records, Brilliant Classics, Klara, Naxos, Danacord, Odradek Records and Phoenix Edition.

Artur Pizarro has received various awards from his native Portugal for services to classical music and culture including the Portuguese Press Award, the Portuguese Society of Authors award, the Medal of Culture of the City of Funchal and the Medal of Cultural Merit from the Portuguese Government.

Artur Pizarro has created his private teaching studio in Oeiras, Portugal where he coaches students of various ages and levels.

Our Story

We first met in 1996 while working at Blüthner, when Artur visited the factory for a tour. It was immediately clear he was no ordinary pianist; his technical understanding of the instrument rivalled that of many seasoned technicians.

Our professional relationship truly began after we founded Piano Restorations Ltd. I still remember receiving a fax that simply read: “Is this the Leverett family? I would like to discuss my piano with you.” Shortly afterwards, I visited Artur at his Brighton studio, where he shared his remarkable collection of instruments.

He asked us to assess his 15-year-old Estonia concert grand, convinced it had greater potential. When I asked how far he wished to go, his response was characteristically open: “Do what you believe is right — within this budget.”

We recommended a comprehensive rebuild, including a new soundboard, new tuning plank, revised scaling and Abel hammers. It was a privilege to be entrusted with the instrument and apply the Leverett touch.

The result was exceptional — a powerful, responsive concert grand that comfortably stood alongside his Steinway Model D. Artur has since performed on the piano in Portugal, where it proved itself a true concert workhorse.