Biography

Giuseppe Devastato, born in Naples, is a pianist and composer recognised by international critics as one of the most exciting pianists of his generation. He completed his studies in Italy under Prof. Carlo Alessandro Lapegna (Piano) and Prof. Giacomo Vitale (Composition). His art has been shaped by renowned pianists such as Laura De Fusco, Francesco Nicolosi, and Aldo Ciccolini.

Giuseppe Devastato has worked in the most important theatres in Europe, America, and Asia, such as the Manoel Theatre (Malta), Sala Villanueva (Mexico), León Auditorium (Spain), Auditorium Parco della Musica (Rome), Ravello Festival (Italy), Carnegie Hall of New York (USA), Ateneum Bucharest, National Philharmonic of Timisoara (Romania), National Auditorium of Kiev (Ukraine), National Philharmonic of Szczecin, Tarnow, Krakow, and Bydgoszcz (Poland), Wuxi Grand Theatre, Beijing Performing Arts Center, Shanghai Symphony Hall (China), Scriabin Museum Big Concert Hall (Russia), and National Auditorium of Tokyo.

Often invited to the Ravello Festival, he performed the complete Sonatas and Variations for piano and cello of Beethoven and Brahms and has worked with many orchestras such as the Iași Philharmonic, Symphony Orchestra of the State of Mexico, Kiev Symphony Orchestra, Sofia Chamber Orchestra, Accademia dell’Arco of Bydgoszcz, and Saratoga Youth Spring Orchestra of New York. Giuseppe Devastato was awarded the “International Prize Cartagine 2011” to human merit and professional achievements in the “MUSIC” section, for the dissemination of music in general – and Italian music in particular – around the world, in virtue of the merits acquired as a pianist and composer, with the intention to spread the word of classical music: “His actions show high sensitivity and a deep love for life. His playing is intended to imitate the human voice and is inspired by the art of Bel Canto of the Neapolitan School”.

The debut at Carnegie Hall in New York as a pianist and composer, on 30th May 2014, was greeted with a standing ovation. On this occasion, he presented the “Sembazuru Fantasy” (dedicated to the victims of the tsunami) for Violin, Piano, and Orchestra. On 15th December 2015, he won two international awards at the Global Music Awards in Los Angeles, USA: Gold Medal for the “Toccata” composition and Gold Medal for the album “The Pianist Composer”. His albums are published by Warner Chappell Music, CAM, Da Vinci Classics, and KNS Classical, where they have received awards and reviews in the most important music magazines. His albums are regularly broadcast by the most important classical radios in Europe and America.

A distinguished teacher, he is currently invited to give master classes, lectures, and seminars in Europe, America and Asia, including: in China (Lanzhou University, Conservatories, and Academies), Romania (Liceul de Arte “Ion Vidu” Timisoara, Liceul de Arte “Marin Sorescu” Craiova), Lithuania (Vilnius Naujoji Vilnia Music School), Poland (Academy of Art Szczecin, Academy of Music of Bydgoszcz), Italy (Faculty of Music Talent Master Courses of Brescia and Conservatories), Spain (Faculty of Music UAX, Musical Arts and Conservatories), UK (Purcell School), Belgium (Centre Musical Eduardo del Pueyo Brussels), Germany (Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln), Netherlands (Fontys Conservatory Music and Performing Arts), Finland (Sibelius Academy), USA (University of Missouri – St. Louis).

Drawing on his extensive teaching experience, he was appointed President of WPTA SPAIN (World Piano Teacher Association Spain) and wrote the book “The Science of Piano Technique” based on the technical and musical criteria of the Neapolitan School of S. Thalberg, adding his own modern vision after recovering from dystonia on his own. His compositions, published by Universal Edition (Vienna), are regularly performed by leading artists in Europe, America and Asia. He is the Artistic Director of the International Piano Competition “The Neapolitan Masters” in Naples (Italy), “Mimas Music Festival” in Procida Island (Italy), WPTA Spain IPC (Spain), and President – Artistic Director of the International Piano Balkan Academy in Kosovo.

Professor at the Alfonso X el Sabio Music University of Madrid (Spain), Accademia Musicale Europea in Naples (Italy), at the Talent Music Masters Academy in Brescia (Italy), and guest professor at the International Summer Academy EuroArtsAcademy (Germany). In recent years his students have won more than 50 prizes (first and second) at international piano competitions, including members of the Alink-Argerich Foundation network: Newcastle YPN, S. Thalberg, Cesar Franck, Composers of Spain, Riga International Piano Competition, Windsor International Piano Competition, 9th International F. Liszt Piano Competition Weimar – Bayreuth, Piano Campus, Jurica Murai “Grand Prix”, Macao International Piano Competition – China, Shigeru Kawai Piano Competition.

His students have achieved notable accomplishments, including prestigious scholarships and admissions to esteemed music institutions such as the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music in London, the National Academy of Santa Cecilia in Rome, and the Mozarteum University of Music in Salzburg. Furthermore, many of his students have established successful careers as accomplished recording artists. He is frequently invited to serve as a juror in various international piano competitions globally.