Maria Perrotta FRANZ SCHUBERT Sonatas D784 & D960 - Grazer Fantasy D605A

The Italian pianist, Maria Perrotta, graduated with distinction from the Milan Conservatoire in 1996; then she studied at the École Normale de Musique in Paris, where she graduated in chamber music. In 2007, she graduated with distinction from the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome under Sergio Perticaroli. She has won top prizes in several international piano competitions. In 2004, she won 3^rd prize at the 5^th J.S. Bach International Piano Competition of Saarbrücken (Germany) gaining critical acclaim: "The crystal-clear sound, the ever-audible structure and stimulating phrasal articulation made this an ideal interpretation." (Allgemeine Zeitung). Other awards include 1^st prize at the 2005 S. Giovanni Teatino International Piano Competition; 2^nd prize (first prize void), as well as the Schubert prize, at the 2006 Camillo Togni International Piano Competition; and 1^st prize at the 2008 Shura Cherkassky International Piano Competition in Milan.
A prodigy, Maria Perrotta made her debut with a symphony orchestra at the age of 11 performing L.v. Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1 at the Rendano Theatre of Cosenza, her native city. Hailed as an exceptionally communicative interpreter, she has performed extensively across Italy and Europe. In 2013 she performed L.v. Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with the Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini conducted by Antoni Wit, as well as L.v. Beethoven's last three piano sonatas to critical acclaim: "Where Pollini is fast and formalistic, Perrotta is analytical and expressive, but, like Pollini, always maintains a sense of formal unity."