Biography

Luis Magalhães is an acclaimed soloist whose performances radiate clarity, emotional depth, and a crystalline touch. A Yamaha International Artist, he has captivated audiences worldwide with a repertoire ranging from the cornerstones of the Classical and Romantic eras to bold contemporary works. His 2025 solo album, featuring Schubert, Beethoven, Mozart, and Brahms, was praised for its poetic insight and interpretive brilliance, reaffirming his standing as a singular voice in the modern piano landscape.

Recent solo highlights include appearances across Germany, Switzerland, France, and Portugal, with past performances across Europe, the USA, South Africa and Japan. Notable venues include Casa da Música, Strathmore, Casino Bern, Shenzhen Concert Hall, and Theatro Circo, where he served as Artist-in-Residence. His playing has been featured in Gramophone, Fanfare, American Record Guide, AllMusic, among others, drawing consistent acclaim for its refinement and expressive power.

Equally renowned as a chamber musician, Luis has recently collaborated with celebrated artists including Clara-Jumi Kang, Boris Brovtsyn, Priya Mitchell, Alissa Margulis, Torleif Thedéen, Kyril Zlotnikov, Claudio Bohórquez, Gareth Lubbe and James Austin Smith. A sought-after partner in the world of chamber music, he is known for his synergy, interpretive dialogue, and expansive repertoire. His award-winning discography spans Beethoven’s complete Cello Sonatas, Mendelssohn’s Violin Sonatas, and the Korngold Project described as “jaw-dropping excellence” (American Record Guide). His chamber performances have been featured at festivals in Berlin, Bern, Salzburg, Osaka, Madrid, Cape Town, and beyond.

Beyond the stage, Luis is the co-founder and Artistic Director of Catalyst.Music, a digital-native classical label based in Portugal and the USA. With a bold mission to reimagine classical music for the streaming era, Catalyst.Music empowers artists through transparent partnerships and cutting-edge production. His previous label, TwoPianists Records, earned international awards and helped shape a new landscape for independent classical recording.

Luis’s artistic leadership also extends to festival curation. He co-founded the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival and the Stellenbosch International Piano Symposium, both of which became cornerstones of Africa’s classical music scene.

A committed educator, Luis was Associate Professor of Piano at Stellenbosch University for nearly two decades and has given masterclasses at the Juilliard School, Seoul National University, Shenzhen Conservatory of Music, and institutions across four continents. He holds a Doctorate from the University of Cape Town.

Luis Magalhães continues to inspire with performances that combine virtuosity and vision, bridging tradition with innovation on concert platforms around the world.