Magda Tagliaferro

Origin

Petrópolis, RJ

Also known as

Magdalena Tagliaferro

Years active

1906–1986

Genres

classical music, classical piano

Instruments

piano

Biography

Magda Tagliaferro was born in Petrópolis in 1893 and built a brilliant career as one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century, internationally recognized for her exuberant talent and for establishing a new conception of feminine sonority at the keyboard. The artist grew up in São Paulo, where she received her first musical encouragement from her father, and moved to Europe at an early age, winning the First Prize of the Paris National Conservatory at thirteen years old and performing in various countries across Europe, Brazil, and the United States.

In addition to her intense career as a concert pianist, Tagliaferro deeply dedicated herself to musical pedagogy, teaching at renowned institutions in Paris, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro, as well as creating the concept of the public masterclass to educate students and build audiences. She founded the Magda Tagliaferro School in 1940 and the eponymous foundation in 1969, leaving a lasting legacy perpetuated by former students such as pianist and producer Fábio Caramuru.

Her name is frequently placed alongside great references of world piano and Brazilian exponents such as Antonieta Rudge and Guiomar Novais, in addition to having performed works by composers like Heitor Villa-Lobos. The instrumentalist received numerous honors throughout her life, including the Order of Ipiranga, and recorded her thoughts and memories in the book Quase tudo... (Memórias), published in 1979.