Marcela Fiorillo
Pianist
Marcela Fiorillo was born in Buenos Aires.
STUDIES
A student under Haydee Loustanau and Celia Bronstein in Buenos Aires, and Alfonso Montecino and Menahem Pressler in USA.
Graduated in 1981 at the National Conservatory of Music "Carlos Lopez Buchardo". Piano and Chamber Music Studies
1979 - Piano Prof. Rudolph Kerer Curso de Perfeccionamiento Centro de Estudios Pianisticos de Buenos Aires
1981 - Piano Prof. Carlo Bruno Curso de Perfeccionamiento Centro de Estudios Pianisticos de Buenos Aires
1982 - Piano Prof. Pierre Sancan Curso de Perfeccionamiento Centro de Estudios Pianisticos de Buenos Aires
1985 - Piano Prof. Alfonso Montecino Grant from Leonor Hirsch de Von Buch Fundation
1986 - Piano Prof. Alfonso Montecino Grant from Leonor Hirsch de Von Buch Fundation
1986 - Chamber Music Chamber Music Seminar at the Centro de Musica de Camara Camerata Bariloche Prof. Andres Spiller Grant from Camerata Bariloche
1987 - Chamber Music Prof. Thomas Tichauer
1988 - 1989 - Indiana University School of Music - USA Piano Classes with Alfonso Montecino
1989 - Indiana University School of Music- USA Beethoven Sonatas Interpretation - Alfonso Montecino on Claudio Arrau
1990 - Piano Classes with Carlo Bruno Fundacion Coliseum Escuela Superior de Arte Harmonia. Diploma al Merito.
1994 - Piano Classes with Menahem Pressler ( pianist Beaux Art Trio ) Summer Session - Indiana University- USA
1994 - Chamber Music Classes with Menahem Pressler Summer Session - Indiana University- USA
1995 - Piano Classes with Menahem Pressler Indiana University- USA
Other Studies
Composition Studies
She studied composition under Jacobo Fischer in Buenos Aires
Semiology - Music Semiotics 1994 - Seminar on Semiology and Musical Analisys with Jean Jacquez Nattiez Fundacion Centro de estudios Avanzados en Musica Contemporanea English Studies
1981 - Asociacion Argentina de Cultura Inglesa. Diploma Superior de Capacidad
PRIZES AND AWARDS
1977 - Iris Romaro Prize National Conservatory of music "Carlos Lopez Buchardo" annual Competition.
1977 - Grant from Mozarteum Argentino to study Chamber Music with Ljerko Spiller
1977 - Grant from Alpargatas selected between the winners of all categories in the National Conservatory of music "Carlos Lopez Buchardo" annual Competition.
1977 - Promociones Musicales Piano Competition second Prize 1980 - Medal and Honour Diploma from SADAIC (Argentine Composers Asociation) for the best performance in the LR1 Municipal Radio Concert Circles.
1985 - 1986 - Grant from Leonor Hirsh de Von Buch Fundation to study with A. Montecino.
1986 - Grant from the Camerata Bariloche Chamber Music Centre
1990 - Grant from the Cultural Coliseum Fundation to study with Carlo Bruno.
1997 - First Prize at the Sognare Musica Competition Chieti - Italy
2004 - Prize from the "Tribuna de Musica Argentina" for her CD "Argentine Music".
2007 - Canberra Critics Circle Award 2007 - "The Best Concert of the Year"
- together with the cellist David Pereira.
2007 - Top ten concerts of the year 2007 - Beethoven Sonatas
Solo Piano Recital.
2008 - Canberra Critics' Circle Award 2008 - Music - as Musical Director together with Jorge Bagnini ( artistic director) for the Australian Premiere of the opera "Maria de Buenos Aires" by Astor Piazzolla, in the Canberra Playhouse, as part of the 2008 National Multicultural Festival.
PERFORMANCES
2009 - "AMERIBERIA" The Music of Latin America and Spain.
Llewellyn Hall - ANU School of Music. Sponsored by ANCLAS.
2009 - Piano Recital - ABC SUNDAY LIVE SERIES
( Broadcast live from Llewellyn Hall - ANU School of Music, Canberra). Performing Liszt, Mendelssohn, Skryabin and Chopin
2009 - 'The best Year of my life" Piano Recital
Australian Premiere of Fanny Mendelssohn's DAS JAHR, as part of the Canberra International Music Festival 2009 - Albert Hall. - Sponsored by Marilyn Jessop and Malcom Gray
2009 - Wesley Centre, Cello and Piano recital. David Pereira and Marcela Fiorillo. NIN, RACHMANINOV and others
2009 - "TANGO X TWO" - Two Pianos Recital. Marcela Fiorillo and Arnan Wiesel - National Gallery of Australia - Fairfax Theatre
2009 - "PASSION" - FIVE CENTURIES OF SPANISH MUSIC
Piano Recital and CD Launch - Wesley Music Centre - Canberra
2009 - "An Invitation to Dance - in Classical Mood"
Piano Recital - Wesley Music Centre - Canberra
2008 - Piano Recital on European Music (Beethoven, Liszt, Chopin, Skriabin, Falla and Ravel) - Buenos Aires, Argentina.
2008 - Piano Recital on European Music (Beethoven, Liszt, Chopin, Skriabin, Falla and Ravel) - Canberra Australia.
2008 - "Estampes de France" Piano Recital on Ravel and Debussy Music (in
Debussy's 90 year of his death anniversary) - Sponsored by French Language School - Griffith - Canberra. Wesley Music Centre, Australia.
2008 - "Chopin - Lyricism and Revolution" Piano Recital sponsored by
Embassy of the Republic of Poland and Embassy of Argentina. Wesley Music Centre, Australia.
2008 - Fourth Western Australia Piano Pedagogy Convention - Opening night Piano Recital - University of western Australia - School of Music - Perth.
2008 - Kulcha Cultural Centre - Perth. Recital "El Tango"
2008 - Embassy of France - Piano Recital on French and Argentine Music.
Sponsored by Canberra Accueil.
2008 - Australian Premiere of the Operita "MarIa de Buenos Aires" by Astor
Piazzolla and H. Ferre. Marcela Fiorillo Conductor and Pianist.
International Multicultural Canberra Festival, Australia. Sponsored by the
Embassy of Argentina, the Multicultural Festival, Caltex, COALAR, Select TV, La Scala.
2007 - Wesley Centre, Cello and Piano recital. David Pereira and Marcela
Fiorillo.
2007 - "Ludwig Van Beethoven", a piano Recital on Beethoven Sonatas in the 180th death anniversary. Wesley Music Centre, Australia
2007 - Concert and Cd launch - "Piano Works"
2007 - Castlemaine Festival , Solo Piano Recital "Serenata Espanola"
2007 - Castlemaine Festival, Solo Piano Recital "Made in Argentine"
2007 - National Gallery of Australia, Solo Piano Recital "Passion - Five Centuries of Spanish Music"
2007 - Teatro Vivaldi, ANU, "Solo Tango"
2006 - Great Hall, University House, ANU - Organized by ANCLAS ( Australian National Centre for Latin America Studies ), Solo Piano Recital
"A Voyage across the Music of Latinamerica"
2006 - Concert - Lecture at the "2006 - Transformations" Conference , ANU.
2006 - Wesley Centre, Solo Piano recital "The greatness of Liszt and Beethoven". 2006 - Teatro Vivaldi, ANU, "Tango at Vivaldi", presentation of her Cd "Tango"
2006 - ANU Ibero - American Cultural Festival, Llewellyn Hall, ANU School of Music, Canberra, Australia. Sponsored by the Embassy of Spain, Argentine, Mexico, Chile, ACT Government and the ANU College of Arts and Social Science and School of Music.
2006 -Wesley Centre, Piano recital "Buenos Aires Night". Sponsored by the Embassy of Argentina.
2006 - Street Theatre. "Albeniz Circulo de Fuego" at International Multicultural Canberra Festival , Australia. Sponsored by the Embassy of Spain and the Multicultural Festival.
2005 - Peter Kernel , Canberra School of Music. Australia. Recital on Argentine Music. Sponsored by the Embassy of Argentina and Latin America Alive.
2005 - Street Theatre. "Tango made in Argentina" at the International Multicultural Canberra Festival, Australia. Sponsored by Argentina Embassy, COALAR and AA.
2002 - "Musique sans Frontieres" Festival, France and Swizerland.
2001 - "Fetes Musicales de Savoie" Festival, France.Sponsored by the Embassy of Argentina.
2001 - Recital and Workshop at the Summer workshop series of the BID Cultural Centre , Washington, USA.
2001 - Recital at Queens Colledge, New York, USA.
2000 - Debut in New York playing a series of concerts devoted to Argentinean Music at Queens, Queensborough, and New York City University .Sponsored by the Embassy of Argentina.
1999 - She toured China, lecturing and performing solo and with the Shanghai Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra; as well as giving masterclasses on Argentinean Music at the Shanghai and Beijing Conservatories. Sponsored by the Embassy of Argentina.
1997 - Recital at Chieti International Festival of Music, Italy. Sponsored by the Embassy of Argentina.
1997 - Recital at the Summer Session of the Indiana University, Bloomington. USA. Soloist and Chamber music.
1994 - Recitals on Argentine Music at the Lily Library, and the School of Music Recital Hall, Indiana University, Bloomington, USA.
World Premiere Performances
She will give the Australian Premiere of Fanny Mendelssohn's DAS JAHR as part of the International Music Festival 2009 - Canberra Australia.
She has conducted and performed the Australian Premiere of the Tango Opera "María de Buenos Aires" in 2008.
She has given first performances of solo piano music and chamber music of argentine composers A.Ginastera, A.Piazzolla, G. Morillo, J. C. Zorzi, H. Lopez de la Rosa, A. Tauriello, P. Saenz, M. Kutnowski, L. B. Videla and others in China, France, U.S.A., Italy and Australia. Performances in Argentina.
Developing an intense activity in her country as pianist from 1972, Marcela Fiorillo has played in the main concert halls of Argentina: Colon Theatre Belgrano Auditorium Recoleta Cultural Cente San Martin Theatre and other places from Buenos Aires and the rest of the country. She has also made recordings for: The National Radio - LRA Municipal Radio of Buenos Aires - LR1 Classical Radio Rivadavia Radio as well as television programs.
SPECIALIZATION IN SPANISH MUSIC
Marcela Fiorillo has been sponsored by the Embassy of Spain in:
February 2007 - "Five Centuries of Spanish Music"- Multicultural Festival - Australia - ( Piano Soloist)
April 2006 - "Ibero American Festival" Llewelyn Hall, Canberra School of Music ; ( Piano soloist, sharing the stage with L. Sitsky and G. Lancaster )
September 2005 - "Music from Spain and Argentina" (with the singer C.Sandler
July 2004 - Recital "Argentine and Spanish Music" (Piano Soloist)
June 2004 - "Spanish and Argentine Songs" (with the singer Marta Blanco )
November 2003 - "Spain and Argentine Chamber Music" (with cellist Tedesco ) November 2003 - "Spanish Music for Piano" (Piano Soloist)
October 2003 - "Un Retablo Espanol" , V Centuries of Poetry and Music of Spain.
May 2002 - "Un Retablo Espanol" , Romances y Cantares - Colón Theatre.
April 2002 - "Un Retablo Espanol" , Romances y Cantares, La Scala de S.Telmo
August 2001 - "De Romances y Cantares" - Colón Teatre. March -
April 2001 - "De Romances y Cantares" - Five Centuries of Poetry and Music
March 2001 - "De Romances y Cantares" - Museo Nac. De Bellas Artes November y
December 2000 - "De Romances y Cantares", Music of Spain.
1996 -1997 - "El Retablo de Manuel y Federico", Garcia Lorca - Manuel de Falla
REVIEWS
The brilliant Argentinian-born pianist, Marcela Fiorillo, now a resident in Canberra, has a deep understanding of the expressive idioms and distinctive rhythmic shadings of the piano music of Latin America and Spain. And the program for this concert displayed that special affinity and understanding, with examples drawn from nine countries of those regions.
However, one variation from original Latin American and Spanish music was the inclusion of a three-movement Latin American Suite by Australian composer John Carmichael, which has strong Cuban and Columbian influences.
In a suitably bravura performance it made an attractive introduction to the program.. Peru and Venezuela, and finally from Spain with music by Granados and De Falla, with the latter's popular Ritual Fire Dance making an exciting conclusion to the first half of the program.
Brazil has produced a number of composers well-known outside Latin America and the music of two of these made a fine start to the second half. First there was a homage to A. Jobin, in which three, of his distinctive pieces were combined in a glittering arrangement for solo piano by Fiorillo which set the composer's melodies and rhythms in a framework of assured pianistic virtuosity.
Another notable Brazilian composer included was Heitor Villa - Lobos, with a delightful performance of his Bachiana Brasileira No 2 Canto de Sertao.
After further ventures into the music of Colombia, Venezuela and Uruguay, it was appropriate that the pianist should conclude this comprehensive program with a group of pieces from her homeland, Argentina. With pleasing dance movements from composers such as Troilo, Mores, Zorzi, and Ginastera, it Was the Hommage a Piazzolla that was the final summit of the program. Here, in another fine arrangement by the pianist, four of his pieces which so distinctively sublimate the tango were welded into a performance of engaging colour and expressive beauty.
This memorable recital was presented by the Australian National Centre for Latin American Studies as part of the current Multicultural Festivala. (William Hoffmann - The Canberra Times - Australia - 2009)
"Marcela Fiorillo en un lucido recital.
Al cabo de dos anos y medio de ausencia en el medio local visita Buenos Aires la pianista argentina Marcela Fiorillo, actualmente radicada en Australia, donde recibido el Canberra Times Critics' Award en 2007 y obtuvo, asimismo, un reconocimiento por haber ofrecido el mejor concierto de ese ano. No han sido menores los meritos que se le han reconocido a Fiorillo en nuestro pais, donde su seria formacion junto con reconocidos maestros estuvo seguida de exitosas presentaciones publicas y ha sumado una actividad pedagogica destacada que expuso en varios foros en los Estados Unidos, en su pais de adopcion, y en centros europeos, lugares donde desarrollo una intensa actividad concertistica en la que estreno obras de compositores argentinos. En el ano que finaliza, preparo y dirigio en Australia la operita Maria de Buenos Aires, de Piazzolla.
En el recital ofrecido en Amijai se pudo apreciar la amplitud de medios tecnicos y expresivos que posee, su inquietud y versatilidad interpretativa, puestos en juego en obras de responsabilidad pertenecientes a compositores de diferentes epocas y estilos. Se advirtio, desde el comienzo, con la Sonata Patetica, de Beethoven;una vigorosa definicion conceptual y sonora, concomitante con el solemne dramatismo incorporado a la solida arquitectura de la obra, seguido por el apasionado allegro con significativos contrastes. El sereno adagio cantabile central dio lugar a una comunicativa expresividad y el rondo-allegro-final,tuvo clara definicion discursiva con precisos contrastes.
Las siguientes obras dieron una idea de la madurez alcanzada por Fiorillo en los ultimos anos, comenzando por el abordaje de los dramaticos Funerales de Liszt, cuyo caracter esta relacionado con el abatimiento de la revolucion hungara y sus patriotas muertos, circunstancia que la propia interprete refirio dirigiendose al publico, al igual que en otras obras del programa. El poder evocativamente elegiaco, y aun heroico de la obra, en cuanto al color y al fraseo, fue expresado de manera exhaustive. En cuanto a la Sonata N' 4 op. 30, de Skriabin, hubo una inteligente comprension del fascinante lenguaje sonoro del musico cuyas facetas personales se afirman precisamente con esta sonata , en la que los aspectos armonico - melodicos son abordados de,manera absolutamente unitaria, en la expresion agitada de su unico tema .
El Scherzo Op. 31 en Si bemol menor de Chopin, dio cuenta de un apreciable nivel de virtuosismo en la ejecucion. La Serenata Andaluza,de De Falla, obra que estuvo perdida por largo tiempo, es una pieza llena de encanto que causo deleite al ser exhumada con genuino espiritu hispano influido por el estilo de Chopin, caracteristlco de la primera epoca del compositor gaditano. Finalmente, La Valse de Ravel, verdadero tour de force en la version ofrecida para piano solo, recibio el aplauso entusiasta del publico.
( Hector Coda "La Nacion" Buenos Aires - Argentina - 2008 )
"La pianista argentina radicada en Australia Marcela Fiorillo se reencontro con el publico porteno con un recital en el templo Amijai, con un programa que, en su primera parte, estuvo integrado por una Sonata de Beethoven, los "Funerales" de Franz Liszt y una sonata de Alexander Scriabin. En la segunda parte, interpreto un Scherzo (Si bemol menor, Op. 31), de Chopin, la "Serenata Andaluza", de Manuel de Falla y "La valse" de Maurice Ravel.
Ademas de expresar su emocion por este reencuentro, con clara intencion didactica, Marcela Fiorillo introdujo a un publico heterogeneo con sencillez y un lenguaje accesible en las constantes de la musica que interpretaba.
Lo mejor de la noche fue una brillarite ejecucion de la Sonata N° 4,op.30 de Skryabin, cuyos dos movimientos fueron mediados por la pianista con fraseo delicado y aguerrido a la vez. Con intencion impresionista, colorido y vital se oyo el primero (Andante) y muy dinamico y sincopado el movimiento que cierra la obra (Prestissimo volando).
Una muy vigorosa «Serenata Andaluza» de Manuel de Falla reencontro a la interprete con la musica de Espana, una de sus confesas preferencias. Con una salida digitacion sin decaimientos, Fiorillo exhibio una matlzada gama de recursos en la ejecucion de una obra no demasiado conocida de De Falla tan valiosa como el resto de su obra. Una impactante version de «La valse», de Maurice Ravel cerro el recital. Potencia, tecnica infalible y amplia musicalidad mostro la interprete argentina, discipula de la legendarla Haydee Loustanau, presente en la sala y a quien le fue dedicado parte del concierto ".
(Eduardo Giorello - "Ambito Financiero" - Buenos Aires - Argentina - 2008)
" The brilliant Argentinian-born pianist Marcela Fiorillo, now an Australian resident, provided another Canberra concert of consumate pianism last weekend, but with the added advantage of being performed on the new Yamaha grand. piano at the Wesley Music Centre. This brought a broader tonal and expressive dimension to her playing of a highly varied six-item program. Her approach was quite breathtaking in its technical assurance and expressive power.
The program opened reflectively with Beethoven's Piano Sonata No 8 in C minor (Pathetique) that was strong and fluent. The expressive heat warmed up with an arresting realization of Liszt's Funerailles. Here the wide range of mood and colour was projected with bravura.
The first half of the concert ended on an even higher level with a "tother-manner- born" interpretative realization of the two-movement Sonata No 4, Op 3D, of Scriabin. Fiorillo's playing was as powerful as it was idiomatic.
Chopin's Scherzo Op 31 in B flat minor made an equally rewarding start to the second half. It was played with keyboard authority and with finely balanced contrasts between the music's sharp delineation of its rhythmic basis and its reflective and poetic moments.
The gentle Spanish rhythms of the Serenata Andaluza, by Manuel de Falla, provided a brief interlude before the pianistic pyrotechnics of the final item - Ravel's brilliant orchestral choreographic poem La Valse in an highly virtuosic arrangement for solo piano. Her playing was completely assured, sweeping aside its keyboard demands.
( William Hoffmann - Canberra Times - Australia - 2008)
"Argentinean pianist Marcela Fiorillo, now resident in Canberra and winner of last year's ACT Critic's Circle Award for her solo recital of works by 'Beethoven', has now followed this up with an equally challenging all-Chopin program which received two performances in the Wesley Music Centre last weekend.
The special qualities, which made last year's recital memorable, were evidenced in the playing throughout this year's solo recital.
There was a realisation of the inner expression of each work that captured their differences of mood, whether a gentle miniature or music of powerful and major proportions.
In displaying the title of the program - lyricism and revolution which are such contrasting elements in Chopin's music; the pianist first set the lyrical Nocturne, Op 9, No 1, in B flat minor which opened the program and, the gentle Prelude in E minor,Op 24, No 4, which started the second half, against the musing Military Polonaise in A major, and the fiery Revolutionary Etude in C minor.
Similarly, four of the short and introspective Preludes Op 24 were set against the powerfully dramatic Ballade in G minor, Op 23, one of the major works of the program. Here the playing combined flair with poetry. Throughout the recital, Fiorillo provided assuring performances, whatever demands of the music, shading her touch and colouring her technical approach to suit the music.
She concluded her program on a note of brilliance with a bravura performance of the Scherzo in B flat minor, Op 31, a large-scale piece that made an exciting conclusion to another memorable recital by this fine artist" ( W.L.Hoffmann - The Canberra Times - Australia - 2008)
"The Operita was the high point of Canberra's annual Multicultural festival, the result of intense advocacy by two Argentinean émigrés, pianist Marcela Fiorillo and her producer husband, Jorge Bagnini.
Despite having seen a vivid performance in Vancouver a decade ago, led by Gidon Kremer... A tighter, more committed ensemble would be hard to find anywhere. It was authoritatively led from the piano by Fiorillo".(V.Plush - The Australian - Australia - 2008)
"An unique music-theatre feature of the National Multicultural festival was the premiere Australian staging of this major work by internationally acclaimed Argentine-born composer Astor Piazzolla"...
Marcela Fiorillo who obtained brilliantly idiomatic playing from the accompanying instrumentalists directed the performance from the piano, and the declamations from the chorus of nine voice brought another tonal coloration to the vitality of the score.
It was, in total, a performance of gripping intensity, a highly memorable realization of this powerful Argentine music-theatre work" (W.L.Hoffman - Canberra Times - 2008)
"Surrealism was in the air with the opening of the Australian Premiere of *Maria de Buenos Aires* by Astor Piazzolla and Horacio Ferrer... Fiorillo's conducting and piano-playing were fiery..." (H. Musa - City News - Australia - 2008)
"This duo recital would have been a memorable musical event just for its wide program content and expressive power of the performances of the two Canberra-based musicians - David Pereira, one of the finest cellists Australia has produced over the past 25 years, and the brilliant Argentinean-born pianist Marcela Fiorillo.
...another gem of the program was Fiorillo's exceedingly fine and assured solo playing of the fourth piano sonata by the 20th. -century Russian composer Alexandre Skriabin.
Music of wonderful colour and shifting harmonies, it received a performance of notable beauty..."(W.L. Hoffmann - Canberra Times - Australia - 2007)
"An artist of rare talent makes Beethoven shines.
The brilliant Argentine-born pianist Marcela Fiorillo, now resident in Canberra, has previously demonstrated that she is an artist of rare, qualities - consummate technical accomplishments at the keyboard - are garnished with an expressive mastery that has made everything she plays as arresting as it is satisfying. But a program that consists of three of the greatest piano Sonatas is a formidable challenge for even the most accomplished virtuoso pianist.
The three Sonatas she chose to play were also representative of the wide stylistic and expressive range of Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas - one from his early period, one from his mature middle period, and one from his group of final, subliminal works in this musical form.
The Sonata No 8 in C minor, Op 13 "Pathetique" made a fine start to the program. In it the young Beethoven was pushing the form of the later 18fh-century keyboard sonata that he inherited from Mozart into the more dramatic expression of burgeoning 19th-century Romanticism.
The inherent drama of this Sonata was excellently conveyed in Fiorillo's performance which nicely tempered its contrasts between youthful ebullience and deeper expressive qualities. The Sonata No 31 in A flat major, Op 110 was the composer's penultimate piano sonata, and its mood is both introspective and profound, being music that makes great interpretative demands on the pianist.
It received a performance that compelled attention throughout, beautifully shaped, and with the final fugue firmly realised in playing of measured and subtle tonal qualities. It was also good program planning for the pianist not to play the works in chronological order. Placing this sublime late-period composition between two 1arger and more assertive works provided a quietly absorbing and reflective interlude for the audience before the final item.
This was the powerful middle period Sonata No 23 in F minor, Op 57, "Appassionata". Here again Fiorillo displayed the remarkably wide dynamic range she commands, from the forceful projection of the outer movements to the gentle contemplation of the central andante, and with the final presto an exciting conclusion to what had been a totally memorable recital". (W.L.Hoffmann - Canberra Times - 2007)
"For this musical tribute to the great Argentinean composer of the later 20th century Astor Piazzolla, the internationally acclaimed Argentina -born pianist Marcela Fiorillo, now resident in Australia, was joined by two distinguished Australian musicians, violinist Barbara Jane Gilby and cellist Julian Smiles, in a program displaying the distinctive instrumental colours and rhythmic complexity of his music.
...Fiorillo opened with a personal tribute titled Homage to Astor Piazzolla, this was her own arrangement of his music for solo piano, which she played with brilliance and affection... Fiorillo opened the second half with another of her fine arrangements for so1o piano, this time of Piazzolla's quizzically titled composition Oblivion. This transcription exploits the virtuosic possibilities of the instrument, exploring a wide soundscape, and it was realised in a breathtaking performance of assured -brilliance.
Finally, the three musicians came together to conclude the concert on an expressive note with a presentation of Piazzolla's four-movement suite The Four Seasons for violin, cello and piano... It made a satisfying conclusion to a concert of constant musical enjoyment". (W.L.Hoffmann - Canberra Times - 2007)
"Argentinean-born pianist Marcela Fiorillo, currently resident in Canberra, once again demonstrated the impressive technical accomplishments and fine expressive qualities of her playing in this recital of Spanish piano music for the Multicultural Festival.
The program opened quietly with two transcriptions for keyboard of anonymous 15th-century lyrics, followed by two graceful Sonatas by the 17th-century composers, Jose Gallés and Antonio Soler y Ramos, these little pieces given suitably tight and crisp performances.
Then the program moved to the 19th century, and this brought the expressive passion of the recital's title.
Rather than in the larger musical forms of sonata and symphony, Spanish composers have worked more comfortably in the smaller forms of suites of dances and colourful scores for ballet and opera.
The first notable composer of the later 19th century on show was Isaac Albeniz. With the recital at full impetus, a brilliant realisation of two pieces by Enrique Granados led to an impressively virtuosic performance.
Then it was to the final bracket of pieces by Manuel De Falla, the first of these, the Serenata Andaluza, bringing a more relaxed mood.
But the sparkle soon returned with the Spanish colour and rhythms of dances brilliantly arranged for piano solo, by the composer from his ballet scores The Three-cornered Hat and Love the Magician, these rising to a climax with the driving rhythm of the Ritual Fire Dance, which brought this continually entertaining and musically rewarding recital to an exciting conclusion" (W.L.Hoffmann - Canberra Times - 2007)
"Having already enjoyed the brilliant playing of Argentine-born pianist Marcela Fiorillo, in the tango music of her own country, I had looked forward to hearing her performing in the standard European repertoire, and this Canberra recital afforded that opportunity. I was not disappointed. The first half of Fiorillo's program was devoted to three major woks for solo piano by Liszt, starting with his heroic elegy Funerailles, a powerful work which opens with the clanging of tolling bells, which in turn lead to a sombre funeral march. It received an arresting performance, the highly demanding middle section, with its rolling octaves in the bass, thrown off with great assurance. The warm poetic expression of the Sonetto 104 del Petrarca was quite beautifully captured, while the Ballade N2 was accomplished with bravura playing that was as impressive as it was satisfying. This was pianism of notable quality. It was the finest Liszt playing I have enjoyed since those notable programs presented in Canberra more than two decades ago by Geoffrey Tozer. But those were performed in the Llewellyn Hall on a concert grant and this equally powerful performance by Fiorillo certainly called for a fine concert piano in the acoustics of a large Hall. The second half of the program brought an equally fine realization of one of Beethoven most expressively powerful works. This was a recital of notable pianism and rewarding musicality."
( W.L.Hoffmann - The Canberra Times - Australia - 2006 )
"...with the visiting Argentinian keyboard virtuoso, Marcela Fiorillo. ...Then followed two groups of 20th.century piano works by Latinamerican composers, performed on the modern piano by Marcela Fiorillo... A more extensive selection from the music of her native Argentina,which she played with a passion and brillance that is as arresting as it is exciting, included a parafrasis sobre Adios Nonino by astor Piazzolla, and a highly virtuosic toccata by Antonio Tauriello which was projected with brilliant assurance." ( W.L.Hoffmann - The Canberra Times - Australia - 2006 )
"The first part of this presentation was essencially a solo piano recital of tango - influenced music performed by the brilliant young visiting Argentinian pianist Marcela Fiorillo. Most of the pieces were performed in her own arrangements, and her very attractive playing pleasantly captured this atmosphere, matching an impressive technical assurance with a warm expressive tonal control of the keyboard. Her familiarity with the styles and moods of the various works was very apparent, and such numbers as El Ultimo Cafe and the Suite of four Tangueras were special moments in a constantly interesting program. But the highlight of the first half was her transcription os A. Piazzolla Adios Nonino, an extended arrangement that was rhapsodic in form and mood, and used the keyboard with glittering effect."
( W.L.Hoffmann - The Canberra Times - Australia - 2005)
"L'association "Musiques sans Frontieres", a produit, ce dernier vendredi, un concert exceptionnel avec une grande pianiste, Marcela Fiorillo. Ce concert, place sous les auspicies de la Direction Generale des Affaires Culturelles de la Chancellerie Argentine, avec cette virtuose du piano, etait tout a fait exceptionel. En premiére partie, celle-ci a magnifiquement interprete trios morceaux de Liszt. Ensuite, avec des tangos ou pieces pour piano, Marcela se retrouve en totale osmose avec la musique de son pays. Elle "colle" parfaitement a lexpression de ces rythmes latinos. G. Kiss confirme: "lorsque l'interprete joue, ce qui compte, c'est la qualite du silence d'ecoute. Celle-ci peut meme remplacer les applaudissements. L'auditorie devient alors plus proche de l'interprete". Marcela Fiorillo a eu droit aussi a de chaleureux allpaudissements du public. Reste a esperer, qu "a son retour, Marcela reviendra parmi nous dans la region".
( B.T. - Saint Julien-en - Genevois - Francia)
"Marcela Fiorillo "Musica Argentina" This piano solo album was recorded at New York's LeFrak Concert hall. The high-quality recording captures the beauty of the sound as it fades into the atomosphere, and presents the music in a very real way. Astor Piazzolla, Alberto Ginastera, Pedro Saenz and other Argentina composers music.This richly varied Argentina musical selection is Marcela's specialty. Marcela's playing carefully draws out the melody line and brings the compositional contours clearly in to relief. In the mood of these compositions, I caught a glimpse of the composer's romantic charm that once was pervaded Marcela's playing. Marcela's pianistic gift for subtly nuanced interpretation made this possible. Listening to the album, I realized once again, what a truly rich, expressive sound the instrument the piano makes a smooth, supple sound with hidden depths of strength. I think that Marcela's approach to the piano is natural in every way. This album is an important milestone for Marcela Fiorillo, who keeps us anticipating more."
(Shinji Onodera - Frontier Music Explorer - Japon )
"La excelente pianista argentina Marcela Fiorillo realizo recientemente una serie de conciertos dedicados a la difusion de la musica argentina en la Universidades de Queens, Queensborough y N. York City, con un exito significativo...La grabacion fue realizada en EEUU con buen nivel y la interprete pone en evidencia sus buenas dotes tecnicas y su profundo conocimiento de las obras"
(Juan Carlos Montero - La Nación)
"Marcela's piano music is so delicate and graceful. It likes a gold brocade that embroidered praying to silence. Her piano music has a clarity and emotional depth."
( Shinji Onodera - Frontier Music Explorer - Japón )
"Pianista argentina de extendida trayectoria, Marcela Fiorillo acaba de inaugurar un nuevo segmento de su vida como interprete que se podría denominar de difusion de la musica argentina en los EEUU, algo que ya habia concretado llevando nuestra creatividad pianistica a dispares paises del mundo siempre con sostenido brillo... El exquisito pianismo de Fiorillo se diversifica entonces y entrega un mosaico delicioso en musicalidad, tecnicismo y poder de comunicacion reflejando con total probidad estilos opuestos y caracteristicas particulares de cada uno de los compositores...Notable trabajo de esta pianista con trazos azules y blancos"
( Eduardo Giorello)
"...A distinguished piano player, Marcela Fiorillo particularly stands out in her rendering of López de la Rosa's Tango para la mano izquierda, op. 52, Giacobbe's Imagen de Tango, Saenz' Aquel Buenos Aires and Piazzolla's Parafrasis de Adios Nonino."
( Buenos Aires Herald )
"...The outstanding pianist Marcela Fiorillo, also renders a very good version of Debussy's Soiree dans Granade"
( Buenos Aires Herald )
"Sul palco la pianista argentina Marcela Fiorillo che ha voluto accostare a brani di autori suoi connazionali quali Ginastera, Tauriello e Piazzolla, pezzi del romanticismo europeo proponiendo due ballade di Liszt e Chopin. Il pubblico, numeroso in platea, ha particolarmente apprezzato l' interpretazione del tango argentino proposta da una pianista sudamericana che proprio per questo ha dato ai brani tipici della musica colta latino americana un sapore del tutto particolare e coinvolgente."
( Il Tempo)
"Acaba de aparecer un disco compacto que contiene obras fundamentales de la obra pianística de Ludwig Van Beethoven...interpretadas por la joven y talentosa pianista Marcela Fiorillo, una artista de gran sensibilidad y alto rango tecnico...Con su frescura y el sello de su personalidad artistica, Fiorillo viene a enriquecer la larga lista de registros de estas sonatas del ciclo de las 32 del músico de Bonn, no solo entre los exponentes del piano del plano nacional sino tambien del concierto internacional..."
( Eduardo Giorello )
"...el piano magnificamente interpretado por Marcela Fiorillo, desplegando una amplia gama de matices y acentos para un enmarque impresionista de los materiales hispanicos y franceses - mostrados a traves de sutiles transparencias../"
( Ambito Financiero )
"...fortaleza y seguridad en la expresion: Marcela Fiorillo ...ausdruckstark und sicher: marcela Fiorillo"
( Argentinisches Tagelblatt )
"Marcela Fiorillo y su magia interpretativa...Sutileza en las manos, pasion y a la vez justeza en su interpretacion. .."
( El Día )
"...una joven pianista, Marcela Fiorillo, que con vigor, estilo altamente expresivo y de elevada categoria brindo junto al violoncellista N. Tedesco, en duos y solos como las paginas de Saenz, De La rosa, Daluisio, Giaccobbe y las espectaculares paginas de "Graciela y Buenos Aires", de J. Bragato y "Le Grand Tango" de A. Piazzolla, alcanzaron, cada uno a su modo, a llenar la noche con el hermoso sonido de sabor ciudadano que es el tango bien hecho."
( El Tribuno )
DISCOGRAPHY
"Beethoven Sonatas" - Solo Piano
"Chieti Recita" - live recording - Solo Piano
"Argentine Music for Piano" - Solo Piano ( awarded with the "Tribuna de Musica Argentina" prize )
"Marcela Fiorillo - Omar Cyrulnik - live recording" - Piano and Guitar -
"A voyage across Latin American Music" - Solo Piano
"Tango" - Solo Piano
"Piano Works by Argentine Composers" vol.1. - Solo Piano
CD Reviews
"Argentine Music for Piano": "This piano solo album was recorded at N.York's LeFrak Concert hall. The high-quality recording captures the beauty of the sound as it fades into the atmosphere, and presents the music in a very real way... Marcela's playing carefully draws out the melody line and brings the compositional contours clearly in to relief. In the mood of these compositions, I caught a glimpse of the composer's romantic charm that once was pervaded Marcela's playing. Marcela's pianistic gift for subtly nuanced interpretation made this possible. I realized once again, what a truly rich, expressive sound the instrument the piano makes a smooth, supple sound with hidden depths of strength... This album is an important milestone for Marcela Fiorillo, who keeps us anticipating more."
( Shinji Onodera - Frontier Music Explorer - Japon )
"Pianista argentina de extendida trayectoria, Marcela Fiorillo acaba de inaugurar un nuevo segmento de su vida como interprete que se podria denominar de difusion de la musica argentina en los EEUU, algo que ya habia concretado llevando nuestra creatividad pianística a dispares paises del mundo siempre con sostenido brillo... El exquisito pianismo de Fiorillo se diversifica entonces y entrega un mosaico delicioso en musicalidad, tecnicismo y poder de comunicacion reflejando con total probidad estilos opuestos y caracteristicas particulares de cada uno de los compositores...Notable trabajo de esta pianista con trazos azules y blancos"
( Eduardo Giorello)
Beethoven Sonatas: "Acaba de aparecer un disco compacto que contiene obras fundamentales de la obra pianistica de Ludwig Van Beethoven...interpretadas por la joven y talentosa pianista Marcela Fiorillo, una artista de gran sensibilidad y alto rango tecnico... Con su frescura y el sello de su personalidad artistica, Fiorillo viene a enriquecer la larga lista de registros de estas sonatas del ciclo de las 32 del musico de Bonn, no solo entre los exponentes del piano del plano nacional sino tambien del concierto internacional..."
( Eduardo Giorello - El Dia - Argentina)
"...Atmosfera de intimidad proponen estos dos artistas que en particular simbiosis exponen trabajos de autores tan entranables como Gismonti, Troilo,Stamponi, Castellanos, Gardel, Piazzolla, Laurenz y Cobian, en sutiles arreglos de M. Pujol, V. Villadangos y la misma M. Fiorillo. Precisamente a ella pertenece el arreglo de la "Parafrasis sobre Adios Nonino" en la que el refinadisimo pianismo de Fiorillo urde una trama meticulosa y colorida ... ...En el registro tomado en vivo en "La Scala de San Telmo", los climas melancolicos y profundamente expresivos crean un delicado equilibrio con aquellos rebosantes de energia y compulsion, tal como ocurre en "Agua y Vino" de Gismonti y la "Milonga de mis amores" de Laurenz, por citar solo dos perlas de este festival de musicalidad y emocion compartidas, tecnica precisa y virtuosismo, libertad y vuelo poetico unidos por la pasion de dos excelentes exponentes de la interpretación argentina..."
(Eduardo Giorello )
PEDAGOGY
1983 to 1986 - Professor at Claret School in Buenos Aires
1985 to 1986 - Piano Professor at the National Conservatory of Music" Carlos Lopez Buchardo" in Buenos Aires
1986 to 2005 - Piano Professor at the Superior Conservatory of Music "Manuel de Falla" in Buenos Aires
She held the Chair of Piano Department at the Superior Conservatory of Music "Manuel de Falla" -Anexo II .
2007 - 2008 She teachs at her own Piano Studio - Canberra, Australia.
Piano Pedagogy Conferences and Lectures:
2007 - The 8th. Australasian Piano Pedagogy Conference - ANU School of Music - Canberra, Australia - Piano Recital and Lecture: "Introduction to Argentine Music".
2007 - The 8th. Australasian Piano Pedagogy Conference - ANU School of Music - Canberra, Australia - Lecture: "New Latin American Repertoire - Based Methodologies".
2008 - The fourth Western Australian Piano Pedagogy Convention - Perth, Australia. University of western Australia - School of Music - Lecture: "How we teach Piano in Latin America" and Opening night Recital
Masterclasses
1999 - Shanghai Conservatory of Music - China. Masterclass on Argentine Music
1999 - Beijin Conservatory of Music - China. Masterclass on Argentine Music
2000 - Summer Workshop Series. BID Cultural Centre - Washington - USA. Workshop on Argentine Music
2001 - Queens Colledge - Queensborough, New York City, USA. Master class on Argentine Music
2005 - Canberra School of Music - Canberra - Australia Masterclass on Argentine Music
2007 - Workshop on Spanish Music - Canberra, Australia.
2007 - Workshop on Mozart Sonatas and Ornamentation - Suzuki TeachersTraining - Spring School - Sydney, Australia.
2007 - Masterclass - Suzuki Teachers Trainning - Spring Shool - Sydney, Australia.
COMPOSITIONS and ARRANGEMENTS
1997- "Parafrásis sobre Adios Nonino" - Marcela Fiorillo arrangement on Piazzolla .
2000 - "Milonga del Angel" - Marcela Fiorillo arrangement on Piazzolla .
2000 - "La Muerte del Angel" - Marcela Fiorillo arrangement on Piazzolla.
2002 - "El día que me quieras" - Marcela Fiorillo arrangement on Carlos Gardel
2003 - "Tangueras" - Marcela Fiorillo arrangements on Piazzolla, Delfino, Cobian, Mores.
2004 - "Preludio Buenos Aires"- Marcela Fiorillo
2005 - "Andean Potpurri" - Marcela Fiorillo arrangement on Ch. Granda - Briceno and Gutierrez.
2006 - "1955, The Journey" - Marcela Fiorillo.
2007 - "Oblivion" - Marcela Fiorillo arrangement on Piazzolla.
2007 - Sephardim Songs for Piano ( "Nani, Nani", "Una Pastora yo ami") - Marcela Fiorillo transcription for keyboard on J. Rodrigo version.
2007 - "Homage to Astor Piazzolla" - Marcela Fiorillo
2008 - Le grand Tango - Marcela Fiorillo arrangement on Piazzolla.
2008 - Scualo - Marcela Fiorillo arrangement on Piazzolla.
2008 - Otoño Porteño - Marcela Fiorillo arrangement on Piazzolla.
2008 - Romance del Diablo - Marcela Fiorillo arrangement on Piazzolla.
2008 - Buenos Aires Hora Cero - Marcela Fiorillo arrangement on Piazzolla.
PUBLICATIONS
1994 - at the Fifth Congress of the International Association for Semiotics Studies, Berkeley University, USA, as the only Latin American member in Music Semiotics. Published in 1995 by IASS, Congress of IASS publication.
