Maria João Pires Announces Retirement from Performing

Written by Rafael Marco Balbin  |  November 3, 2025

Portuguese pianist Maria João Pires has announced that she has retired from performing. The declaration was made during her acceptance speech for the Helena Vaz da Silva European Award, held on November 1, 2025, at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon.

In her speech, the 81-year-old artist said she has “retired from performing” and is “in a process of radical change, in a search for truth, truths.”

Earlier this year, in June 2025, Pires informed the public that she would temporarily step away from the stage after suffering a cerebrovascular health issue. “Dear friends, I regret to inform you that I will have to step away from the stage for some time. A cerebrovascular health issue has arisen, which I see as a sign — perhaps a warning,” she said.

Her announcement marks the formal conclusion of a performing career spanning more than six decades and signals a transition toward new artistic and personal directions. Born in Lisbon in 1944, Pires gave her first public performance at the age of four and went on to earn international acclaim for her poetic interpretations and devotion to education.

The jury of the Helena Vaz da Silva Award, which honors exceptional contributions to European cultural heritage, described her as “one of the most poetic and influential pianists of Europe.”

At the ceremony, Pires also reflected on her artistic journey. “The competition often leads us to forget the essential: the community, the group and our deep nature,” she said. “Now I find myself in a process of radical change, in a search for truth, truths, on a path of acceptance, perhaps of understanding what I never accepted before.”

Although she has retired from performance, Pires indicated that she will continue to explore creative and humanistic projects beyond the concert stage.

Photo courtesy of Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation