Program and Artist Biography

Juan José Chuquisengo is a leading Latin American musician who has given concerts in more than 40 countries, produced distinguished Sony Classical recordings, and received numerous awards, including one from the Kennedy Center. A prestigious European music critic wrote of Chuquisengo that “we are before one of the most profound pianists of this age, one who has crystallized . . . the spiritual experience of music—let us say it clearly: the world has been waiting for this kind of pianist.”

Born in Peru, Chuquisengo studied in his country and then went to Europe, further perfecting himself in Germany, then in Italy and France. He left the stage for several years and rejected attractive offers to devote himself to the intense study of the musical phenomenon with his master and mentor, Sergiu Celibidache, the legendary conductor. Years later, in 2009, Daniel Barenboim's prestigious international orchestral academy West Eastern Divan invited Chuquisengo to join its faculty to teach the phenomenology of Celibidache. 

Following the award from the Kennedy Center, Chuquisengo relocated to the United States for two years before returning to Europe. From that time on, he has divided his activity between the two continents in performing recitals and improvisation concerts and offering master classes, conferences, and seminars at universities and colleges of music.

In order to continue an exploration which he considers necessary for a real artistic evolution, Chuquisengo withdraws every now and then from concert activity. He has thus been able to study philosophy and art in Europe and is a regular practitioner of martial arts as part of an integral development. He holds a black belt in karate-do and kung fu. On the musical side, he has embarked upon studies of composition and orchestral conducting and explored the art of open improvisation in different styles.

Photograph by Marco Borggreve.