Fernando Costa

Fernando Costa, cello 

Fernando Costa has been claimed as “a safe value of the new generation of performers in Portugal” (Casa da Música, Oporto). A young cellist whose recognition and prestigious awards are the result of his emotional resonant performances, marked by a strong presence on stage and an expressive and musical sensitivity combined with a dynamic and impulsive style.  

Portuguese cellist born in 1991 started his cello studies with Valter Mateus and finished his Bachelors (2013) with maximum classification at Superior School of Music and Performing Arts (ESMAE, Oporto) in Jed Barahal’s class. In 2015 he has finished his Master’s degree in music performance under the guidance of the prestigious cellist Antonio Meneses at Hochschule der Künste Bern, in Switzerland.  

He won prizes in several competitions: 1st Prize “Prémio Jovens Músicos 2011”, Cello, Superior Level; 1st Prize “Concurso Internacional Santa Cecília” (2011); 1st Prize “Prémio Helena Sá e Costa 2012”; 1st Prize in ConCursos 2012 (chamber music); 2nd Prize in “Prémio Jovens Músicos 2012 and 2013”, Chamber Music, Superior Level.  

As soloist he has performed with Orquestra Gulbenkian, Orquestra do Norte, Orquestra de Câmara de Cascais e Oeiras, Orquestra Sinfonieta da Esmae and others.

“The young portuguese cellist Fernando Costa is a very talented and fine musician. His great cello playing is always serving clever and refined musical ideas. I am sure he has a good future as a cellist.” – Lluís Claret, cellist.

 “The award-winning soloist Fernando Costa, 20 years old, showed well his technical and expressive skills… and a lot of confidence” – “Público” Newspaper.

“Fernando Costa is a very talented and fine musician”. – Lluís Claret, international concert cellist