About Iura de Rezende
Bio
Brazilian clarinetist Dr. Iura de Rezende has captivated audiences across continents with his exceptional performances. His talent has graced renowned venues, including the Tonhalle in Zurich, the Stadt Casino in Basel, and the Sala Cecília Meireles in Rio de Janeiro. His artistry has resonated in prestigious universities throughout North and South America, as well as Europe.
As a soloist, Dr. de Rezende has had the privilege of collaborating with distinguished orchestras such as the Basel Symphony Orchestra and the Neues Orchester Basel. He has been invited to perform in music festivals such as Ticino Musica in Switzerland, Le Jardin Musicaux in Switzerland, Festival de Maio in Brazil, Festival Glasbena fabr’ka in Slovenia, Festival Nacional Alonso Marín in Colombia, and Encuentro de Clarinetistas in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, to name a few. Dr. de Rezende’s dedication to chamber music has led to collaborations with renowned musicians from Europe, the United States, Canada, and South America. Notable partnerships include his wife pianist Elisa Galeano, Brazilian cellist Antonio Meneses, former member of the Beaux-Arts Trio alongside Menahem Pressler, as well as Boris Lifanovsky, the principal cellist at the Bolshoi Ballet.
Dr. de Rezende’s passion for collaboration extends to working closely with many composers. He has had the privilege of collaborating with George Rochberg on his work “Contra Mortem et Tempus,” featured in a recital sponsored by the Paul Sacher Foundation in Switzerland. Additionally, he has embarked on a remarkable journey with composer Gualtiero Dazzi, touring France and Switzerland. Dr. de Rezende’s association with the OFICINA MUSICA VIVA New Music Ensemble has resulted in remarkable televised projects, including renditions of Messiaen’s “Quatuor pour la fin du Temps,” Luciano Berio’s “Sequenza IXa” for clarinet, and Krzysztof Penderecki’s striking “Quartet for clarinet and strings.” Demonstrating his versatility, Dr. de Rezende also explores the rich tapestry of classical clarinet repertoire, delivering captivating performances of early music on historical instruments. His talent has also been acknowledged through invitations to collaborate with orchestral ensembles in his native Brazil.
Beyond his artistic endeavors, Dr. de Rezende has made significant contributions as a Professor of Clarinet at universities in Brazil for over 15 years. His expertise has been sought after globally, as he has conducted master classes at universities and schools of music in the United States, Brazil, Europe, and South America. Dr. de Rezende’s scholarly pursuits encompass clarinet repertoire and music performance, where he provides guidance and supervision to aspiring scholars. His research article on composer Thea Musgrave’s masterpiece, “Narcissus,” was presented at the widely attended music performance conference in Brazil (ANPPOM) and at the Web Audio Conference 2021 held in Barcelona, Spain. In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. de Rezende serves on the editorial board and has published in Brazil’s premier clarinet magazine.
Upon the completion of his undergraduate studies in his home country, Dr. de Rezende embarked on an exceptional academic journey, culminating in a double master’s degree from the Academy of Music in Basel, Switzerland. It was during this time that his performance of Sandor Veress’ resplendent Clarinet Concerto earned him the prestigious Soloist Diploma at the annual Concerto Competition. Additionally, he achieved a clarinet pedagogy diploma, solidifying his expertise in the field of clarinet education.
Driven by his pursuit of knowledge and artistic growth, Dr. de Rezende pursued further studies at the University of the Arts in Berlin. He also obtained a doctorate in Clarinet Performance, Music History and Literature, as well as Early Music Performance from Indiana University at Bloomington. His academic achievements were further enhanced by his recognition as a Fulbright Scholar, a testament to his abilities and dedication to his craft.
In 2020, Dr. de Rezende’s devotion to his artistry was acknowledged when he was honored with the prestigious FUNARTE (Brazilian National Foundation for the Arts) “RespirArte” prize. This esteemed recognition was bestowed upon him in appreciation of his video recording of Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet, Op.115, showcasing his deep understanding and interpretation of the masterpiece.
In 2022, Dr. de Rezende further solidified his standing in the academic community when he was appointed as an assistant professor of clarinet at the University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign. This position serves as a testament to his remarkable expertise and commitment to imparting knowledge and nurturing the next generation of clarinet virtuosos, as well as clarinet educators.
Iura de Rezende is a Conn-Selmer and Vandoren artist. He plays a Selmer clarinet model “Recital,” Vandoren V-12 Reeds, a BD4 mouthpiece, and an Optimum ligature.