Clara Sverner

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Years active

1950

Genres

classical music, erudite music, instrumental music

Instruments

piano

Biography

Clara Sverner is an acclaimed Brazilian classical pianist and interpreter whose musical journey began in her hometown of São Paulo under the tutelage of professor Jose Kliass, a student of Martin Krause. She furthered her education internationally, earning a gold medal for her master's degree at the Geneva Conservatory under Louis Hildebrand and later refining her artistry in New York with Leonard Shure. Early in her youth, she established herself as one of Brazil's most prominent virtuosos after winning the Wilhelm Backhaus International Competition.

Throughout her illustrious career, Sverner has performed extensively across Brazil, Europe, the United States, Japan, and Israel, presenting a carefully curated repertoire spanning from 16th-century English virginalists to modern 20th-century masters. Within Brazilian classical music, she played a pivotal role in reviving the works of Glauco Velásquez and championed the piano compositions of Chiquinha Gonzaga through several dedicated recordings. Her artistic versatility also led her to collaborate closely with renowned saxophonist Paulo Moura, bridging classical traditions with popular icons like Pixinguinha and contemporary composers such as Almeida Prado.

Sverner’s extensive discography comprises 25 internationally distributed titles reflecting her avant-garde spirit and refined aesthetic. Her achievements include winning the Prêmio TIM in 2005 for her classical album Mozart Por Clara Sverner Vol. 2, followed by a Latin Grammy nomination for Volume 3 and the 2009 release of Mozart's complete sonatas. Continuing her exploration of the piano canon, she released Chopin por Clara Sverner in 2010, cementing her legacy as a pioneering force in Brazilian classical performance.