Andreu Riera

Andreu Riera is one of the most significant Spanish pianists of his generation. Born in Manacor, Mallorca he began his musical studies at the Escolania Lluc, singing with the famous “Blauets” under the direction of his first musical guide, Father Jaume Palou. After returning to his hometown of Manacor he began studying piano seriously with the pedagogue Concepció Vadell, winning the first prize at the Professional Conservatory of Palma competition. Riera studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Madrid with Professor María Ángeles Renteria, winning first prize in piano and chamber music. In Vienna, he studied with the eminent Professor Hans Graf at the Hochschule für Musik, and lastly in London, where he completed his studies under the Professor Edith Vogel at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Riera also received important tips and master classes by masters such as: Dmitry Bashkirov, Vlado Perlemuter, Monique Deschausses, Mtislav Rostropovich, José Luis Garcia, Ramon Coll, and Manuel Carra.

Riera has won numerous major national piano competitions incluing as the Infanta Cristina (Madrid), Caja Postal in Madrid, Alonso Competition in the city of Valencia, and international competitions such as Frederic Mompou (Barcelona), Jacinto Guerrero and Mozart Competition, and the Salzburg Mozarteum.

He has performed at major festivals such as Palma (Bellver Serenates d’Estiu ), Arta, L’Estartit, Santa Cristina d’Aro, Valencia, Tenerife Contemporary Festival, Granada, Opus Ultima Madrid, Alicante, Paradise Porch do Ourense , Mozarteum in Salzburg, Santander Grand Masters, European Venice, Bath (England), Colorado Springs (United States), and in major concert halls including the Palau de la Música in Barcelona, Madrid National Auditorium, Palais des Festivals Santander, Manuel de Falla Auditorium in Granada, Elesbash Hall City of New York University, Teatro Manzoni in Milan, Teatro Sistina in Rome, Venice Palazzo Labbia, Bridgewater Hall Manchester, St. James Piccadilly in London, and Lincoln Center in New York.

He has been member of the chamber ensemble Manon, with which he has toured extensively, recording As a soloist, he has performed with several orchestras: Camerata de Llevant, The Chamber Orchestra Ciutat de Manacor, Orchestra Andrés Segovia of Madrid, Simfònica de Balears Ciutat de Palma, Camerata Sa Nostra, Symphonic Orchestras of Seville and Málaga, JONDE, Kuopio Symphony, New American Chamber Orchestra, Colorado Springs Orchestra, and Montreal Chamber Players. He is currently a member of Cuarteto Arión and the Image Ensemble. He performs regularly with the Studium Chamber Choir of Palma de Mallorca, and has performed with choirs of Coral Universitària and Ars Antiqua. Also he has premiered the works of contemporary composers like: Josep Soler, Josep Prohens, P. Martorell, Benet Casablancas, etc. Recently he has recorded three solo piano CDs: Piano Promenade, Vora Mar and Música i Mots. He teaches at the Conservatori Superior de Música de les Illes Balears.

Riera is currently a professor at the Conservatory of Music of the Balearic Islands, Chairman of the Artistic Commission of the Symphonic Orchestra of the Balearic Islands, and Artistic Director of Chamber Music Festival of Morlanda Cala, Mallorca. He has also taught summer courses at Guardamar del Segura, Alicante, and Quintanar de la Orden, Toledo.

As of: April 20, 2013