By Fernando Santos, on January 21, 2024*
Music has the power to transport us to a magical universe. This magic happens when special talents manage to touch the right keys to our emotions. This is the case of Portuguese pianist Diana Botelho Vieira , born in Ribeira Grande, Azores.
Diana has become an artist with recognized talent and whose eclectic repertoire has led her to perform in a variety of formats and on global stages. With performances ranging from solo piano recitals and chamber music to performances as a soloist accompanied by orchestras, Diana has captivated audiences in countries such as Portugal, Spain, France, Holland, England, the United States and several places in South America.
His career is marked by significant distinctions, highlighting the prestigious Young Musicians Award - RDP Antena 2, in the Piano category, which crowns young talents with a promising musical career. The artist was also honored with the Búzio Revelação award by Expresso das 9, recognizing new talents in their fields, and with the Correio dos Açores Culture Prize, a nod to her significant impact on the Azorean cultural scene. These achievements are not only a testament to his exceptional skill at the piano, but also to his dedication and passion for music that transcends borders.
As writer and critic Robert McCarney described for Classical Music Daily in his review of Diana's performance, which featured Janáček's first set of pieces, titled "On An Overgrown Path", during a 2022 concert in León, Spain:
The rhythmic subtlety in his playing - something I had always imagined would be very difficult to get right - was exceptional, as was his control of dynamics in a work that ranges from quiet, aching beauty to thunderous explosions. Her understanding and overall conception of the piece was wonderful and it was clear that it was a piece she had lived with and loved for a long time.
In this exclusive interview with ProART , given to Fernando Santos (FS), Diana reveals details of her trajectory in the world of classical music and her plans for the future. Check out!
FS: Diana, it's a great pleasure to meet you! Did your passion for music awaken early in your life? Tell us, what was that magical moment like?
Diana: The pleasure is all mine! The music came about during the summers spent at our maternal grandparents' house, who taught us some musical foundations. Shortly afterwards, the same grandparents gave us a Yamaha upright piano. My older sister was the one who started playing the piano, and I vividly remember the sound of the piano, something that enchanted me from the first moment. My sister played, and I, fascinated, knew I wanted to be part of that magical world. Music flowed in that house and, without a doubt, in my heart too.
FS: And was this passion nurtured by any family inspiration or any particular idol?
Diana: Without a doubt, my grandparents were my first great inspiration, as that Yamaha piano was the starting point, but the real flame was lit by the dedicated teachers at the Ponta Delgada Regional Conservatory. They recognized and encouraged my love for the piano, which was essential for me.
FS: Throughout your musical training, which composers or pieces had the greatest influence on your artistic development and why?
Diana: During my piano training as a student at the Conservatory, I had the opportunity to learn a very diverse repertoire, there was no focus on any particular composer, with regard to the repertoire learned on the piano. I spent hours listening to Schubert's piano sonatas, The Songs of a Traveler, and Mahler's Symphonies, Tchaikovsky's Symphonies, all the works for piano and orchestra by Rachmaninov and Mozart, works of chamber music and, of course, lots of music for solo piano. Later, in higher education, it could be said that the music of Rachmaninov and Prokofiev greatly influenced this phase of my studies. Then, in Chicago, during my Master's degree, I returned to diversity and even approached lesser-known works by composers such as Aaron Copland and Charles Griffes, always in parallel with the canonical repertoire, of course. That's where my interest in lesser-known repertoire began. My artistic development is the result of this diversity.
FS: Speaking of challenges, what has been the biggest obstacle you have faced so far in your artistic career?
Diana: I have had a series of challenges, but I don't think I have come across any obstacles. For me, the challenge is all centered on the score, everything is there, from the moment I open the first page, until the moment I enter the stage, there is a laborious process, of searching, organizing, concentrating... if we think about it Well, the process of preparing a work is something extraordinary and artistically quite complex, and it never ends, in reality. But it's my favorite place, sitting at the piano figuring it all out!
FS: And what was that first achievement that made you feel recognized in the world of music?
Diana: Well, recordings, solo concerts with orchestra or recitals - each of these milestones was a significant achievement for me. I don't see recognition as a single event, but as a journey of remarkable moments.
FS: Is there any project or performance that brings you special pride?
Diana: Yes, after becoming a mother, I decided to explore more solo piano repertoire, which allowed me to realize several recital concepts I had in mind. Each recital, concept or project carried out is a source of great joy, especially because they reflect a part of who I am and what I like to play.
FS: Diana, do you have any interesting facts about yourself that you can share with our audience?
Diana: Something that many don't know is that I have been using hearing aids since I was 7 years old. This has uniquely personalized my sound universe as a pianist – it is an aspect of my life that has shaped my relationship with music in a very personal way.
FS: Besides the piano, what are your favorite leisure activities?
Diana: I love being outdoors, going hiking. And tap dancing is another passion that I had the pleasure of exploring; I would very much like to resume this practice in the future. And I love reading too.
FS: And what are your expectations for this coming year?
Diana: Continue working on realizing my ideas. I plan to present a recital with music by Chopin and Schubert; Taking into account the repertoire I have performed on stage in recent years, it is something new!
FS: And finally, what do you hope to achieve in the coming years? What are your plans and dreams?
Diana: Oh, the list is long! I have a notebook full of ideas that range from themed recitals to chamber music projects and works to play with an orchestra. I'm always dreaming and planning the next step. I'm very excited about what's coming.
*Interview with pianist Diana Botelho Vieira originally published at www.proart.art
Want to know more? Watch and listen to one of their beautiful performances below:
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