Nelson Freire
Nelson Freire  | |
|---|---|
| Born | Nelson José Pinto Freire 18 October 1944 Boa Esperança, Minas Gerais, Brazil  | 
| Died | 1 November 2021 (aged 77) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  | 
| Occupation | Classical pianist | 
| Awards | |
Nelson José Pinto Freire (Portuguese: [ˈnɛwsõ ˈfɾejɾ(i)]; 18 October 1944 – 1 November 2021) was a Brazilian classical pianist. Regarded as one of the greatest pianists of his generation, he was noted for his "decorous piano playing" and "interpretive depth". His extensive discography for labels such as Sony Classical, Teldec, Philips, and Decca garnered awards including the Gramophone Award and Diapason d'Or. Freire appeared as soloist with the world's most prestigious orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic. He played and recorded piano duo music with Martha Argerich, a long-time musical and personal friend.