Maria João Pires

Maria João Pires is a concert pianist from Lisbon, Portugal who stands as perhaps the world's best known Portuguese pianist in the history of classical piano music performance. Relatively well-known as a young pianist throughout her native Portugal, Maria João Pires became internationally recognized in 1970 by winning the Beethoven Bicentennial Competition in Brussels. Known for her exquisitely executed performances of the standard repertoire, the recording for which Pires is best remembered is her performance of Frederick Chopin's Nocturnes, celebrated by many as the best version of the pieces available on record.