Second prize for HfMT pianists

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Xavier Ricarte, Master's student from Prof. Hubert Rutkowski's piano class, has won second prize at the 7th International Piano Competition in Fujairah (United Arab Emirates).

The Fujairah International Piano Competition was first launched in 2019. The aim of the competition is to offer talented pianists from all over the world a platform for artistic presentation, competition and cultural exchange. The event is organized by the Fujairah Fine Arts Academy (UAE). The competition in category D consisted of three rounds, including the final with orchestra. The competition is part of the Alink-Argerich Foundation. On the jury were: Natalia Trull, Olivier Cazal, Ilya Kondratiev, Oleg Poliansky and Francesco Cipoletta.

Vita

Xavier Ricarte began his piano training at the age of six with his aunt and Carles Julià and developed a great passion for the stage at an early age. His first steps as a performer were promoted by Juventudes Musicales, which enabled him to tour Catalonia and gave him continuous and natural contact with the public.

Thanks to his excellent academic performance, he received the Young Talent Scholarship and twice in a row the Excellence Scholarship from the Ferrer-Salat Foundation, which allowed him to complete his entire studies at the Liceo Conservatory in Barcelona. During this time he was taught first by Stanislav Pochekin and then by Alba Ventura, developing a solid technical foundation and a deep musical awareness.

At the same time, he received important awards, including first prize in the BBVA Individual Talent competition, the Intercentros Melómano special prize, the Pianissimo prize and first prize in the Isaac Albéniz competition. His participation in the Maria Canals International Competition also enabled him to be invited on a concert tour as part of the OFF Maria Canals cycle.

He has expanded his artistic training through master classes and encounters with renowned pianists and teachers, including Akiko Ebi, Galina Eguizarova, Ewa Kupiec, Dmitri Alexeev, Mikhail Voskresensky and András Schiff. He was also taught by Stephen Kovacevich at the Argerich Festival in Hamburg and received artistic advice from Vladimir Viardo.

His concert activity is mainly concentrated in Spain and Germany, where critics have praised the sensitivity and energy of his interpretation. Parallel to his activity as a performer, pedagogy occupies a central place in his musical work. Every summer he gives piano courses for youth music, collaborates with other performers on educational projects and participates as a jury member in the Maria Vilardell Viñas competition, which takes place in Moià, the birthplace of tenor Francesc Viñas.

He is currently studying for a master's degree in interpretation at the Hamburg University of Music and Drama under the guidance of Professor Hubert Rutkowski. Under his guidance, he won the Elise Meyer Competition in Hamburg and second prize at the Fujairah International Piano Competition in Dubai.