Leslie Wright Durán Ballén (born April 11, 1938 in
Quito
Quito (; qu, Kitu), formally San Francisco de Quito, is the capital and largest city of Ecuador, with an estimated population of 2.8 million in its urban area. It is also the capital of the province of Pichincha. Quito is located in a valley o ...
) is a notable
Ecuadorian pianist. He is Ecuador's
cultural attache in
Paris and has received many international awards.
Leslie Wright received his first piano lessons at just six years old. In 1953 he joined the Music Academy of Santa Cecilia in
Rome. He graduated in 1960, winning first prize and jury mention. In 1961 he participated in the International Piano Competition in
Geneva, taking third place. In 1962 he made a tour of several South American countries appearing in their best theaters and concert halls. In 1963 he won first prize in the "Biernans" competition in
Paris. Shortly afterwards he was honored in the global contest of
Bilbao from among 44 virtuoso pianists worldwide. In 1965 he won a major prize in the International Piano Competition "
Marguerite Long", in Paris.
He was awarded the Ecuadorian national award "
Premio Eugenio Espejo The ''Premio Nacional Eugenio Espejo'' ("Eugenio Espejo National Award") is the national prize of the nation of Ecuador. Decrees 677 and 699 (of August 1975 and September 1997, respectively) established the prize, which is conferred by the President ...
" in 1986 from the President of Ecuador for his contribution to the national culture.
Leslie Wright married fellow pianist Nadine Vercambre Paul of France, with whom he plays concerts. "Leslie and Nadine Wright", as they are best known, have done 6 world tours.
Leslie et Nadine Wright - Pianistes (French)
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References
External links
Leslie and Nadine Wright in concert (on Vimeo)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wright, Leslie
1938 births
Ecuadorian pianists
Living people
Musicians from Quito
21st-century pianists