Gabriel Escudero Braquehais
Juror of the Final Round, NGIPC 2023
Considered as one of the finest Spanish pianists of his generation, Gabriel Escudero Braquehais combines his performing activity with his teaching at an international level. Escudero has been invited to perform at important events and festivals in different parts of Spain and in countries such as Austria, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Italy, Poland, USA, Sweden. He has performed in emblematic venues such as the Carnegie Hall in New York, Musikverein in Vienna, Mozarteum in Salzburg, Musikhalle in Hamburg, Smetana Hall in Prague, Instituto Cervantes in New York, Scandinavian House in New York, The Historical Society Museum in New York, Sibelius Museum in Turku, as well as in international festivals such as the Steinway Piano Festival in Hamburg, Keys to the Future in New York, Sierra Musical in Madrid, Armonie della Sera in Ancona, Cesky Krumlov International Festival in Czech Republic, Extravaganza Piano Festival in Sofia, International Music Festival of Burgos, International Music Festival of Almansa, … appearing solo and with Spanish or foreign orchestras and groups such as the Kammerensamble of the Berlin Opera Orchestra, Ensamble Les Amis from Shanghai, Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra, Vogtland Philharmonie, Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic, Orquesta Sinfónica de la Región de Murcia, Trio Bacarisse, Camerata de Cartagena and Cartagena Symphony Orchestra. He has recorded for RNE and TVE (Spain) WQXR New York Radio and WFMT Chicago (USA) and Radio Bulgaria. Gabriel has recently joined Trio Quercus as their official pianist.
Graduated from Mannes College, Manhattan School of Music and Sibelius Academy, Escudero is a Doctor of Musical Arts since 2013. Gabriel has received numerous national and international awards such as the Steinway & Sons Special Prize, as well as First Prizes at the “Ciutat de Manresa” Piano Competition, “Infanta Cristina” Piano Competition, or “Ciutat de Xativa” Piano Competition. In 2017, he was awarded the Extraordinary Award from the “Entre Cuerdas y Metales” Competition for his musical career. Throughout his artistic life he has worked with masters such as Ana Guijarro, Eldar Nebolsin, Ilmo Ranta, Yefim Bronfman and Arkady Aronov, who have positively influenced his pianism.
Deeply interested in piano pedagogy, Gabriel Escudero has worked at the Manhattan School of Music in New York, the International School of Music Finland in Helsinki, and the FaceArt Institute of Music in Shanghai. He has also given master classes in the US, Spain, Finland, China and Hong-Kong. Most of his students have entered the most important music schools and universities in the United States, such as Roosevelt University in Chicago, Manhattan School of Music, Boston Conservatory, Curtis Institute, Brigham Young University School of Music in Utah, and won national and international competitions. At present, he carries out his pedagogical activity in Spain, working at a Piano Chair at the Superior Music Conservatory in Murcia and at the international school Musical Arts Madrid.