Luis Parés (Venezuela, UWC Adriatic 1997-1999) is an international concert pianist, Head of Keyboard at Dulwich College in London, Executive Director of New Virtuosi International Violin Mastercourses and an examiner for ABRSM.

At the UWC Congress 2016, few months ago, Luis enchanted the UWC community gathered in Trieste with a few intense and touching performances. We had a chat with Luis to know more about his passion for the piano: here is what he told us.

“Ever since I was young, I wanted to play the piano and be on a concert stage. Playing the piano and interpreting music from the great classical composers is both a physical and intellectual activity that I cherish – well, most of the time! It’s like a human relationship, you have good days and bad days but we seem to get along well and enjoy each other’s company! UWC Adriatic gave me the opportunity to learn from some outstanding musicians, including the Trio di Trieste (I was fortunate to meet all three of them!) and Sergio Cimarosti who taught me a great deal about how to listen to music and how to think about music. My love for Chamber Music was born in Duino and it’s something that I promote with great passion – it’s the power of communication not only with the audience but with fellow musicians, it’s about understanding each other, arguing about ideas but always reaching a compromise, aiming at the best possible result. You must learn your part with great care and arrive at a rehearsal with a clear idea of what you wish to achieve but you must also be open to new and different points of view, and that makes it very exciting!

Since graduating from the Royal College of Music, I have continued performing, but education has also taken an important place in my life. I love teaching and helping young people and aspiring pianists to achieve their musical potential. It is not only about learning the technical aspects of instrument but also understanding the music and being able to portray whichever mood or emotion you choose through sound. It’s about all those beautiful nuances in the sound and how we organise them – that’s one of the key ingredients of an effective performance.

Since 2009, I have been able to develop a international Violin Mastercourse, New Virtuosi, with Professor Ani Schnarch from the RCM in London. Together, we have created an ideal platform for violinists to come together in short, intensive master courses that concentrate on perfecting their musical skills but it’s also about interacting and learning from fellow musicians who come from all over the world. Our flagship summer course is based in Duino: UWC Adriatic is transformed for 12 days into an international musical hub and our course and the concerts that we do all over the Friuli Venezia Giulia have become an intrinsic part of the cultural agenda of this Italian region.

Music is a powerful tool that touches every person in this planet – how many moments in your life, happy or sad, are not associated to a particular song or piece of music? It’s something that we do very often, even without realising. No matter which style or genre or how old or new, the music we interpret on stage or through recordings has the ability to connect people and is able to move us deeply. It’s a unifying tool that can challenge our perception and understanding of life”.

Luis and Professor Ani Schnarch will be visiting UWC Adriatic on 20-22 January to give masterclasses to UWC students and violinists and pianists from the conservatoires in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. They will also give a concert on Saturday 21 January in the UWC Adriatic Auditorium.

For more information, visit Luis Pares’ website.