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I would be very interested to here everyone's opinion on Maria Pires, her pianism and master classes. I admire the 2 master classes I've seen on YouTube and I wondered if any of you had seen her perform or teach. I am looking into her 2 week piano program through the Academy Royamount in Paris. Would be VERY interested in some opinions on this great artist.

Edit: I forgot to add that I realize there has been quite a bit of controversy concerning her methods of teaching especially in the masterclass setting. That is precisely why I'd value your opinions. Thank you.

She is a very good pianist and I like her playing a lot!

What OSK said

Hello,
She's one of the bests for me. Her Mozart sonatas - her Mozart in general, in fact - are unrivalled, maybe only equalled by Zimerman. Her Beethoven playing is also great. In fact, I like everything she does.
I don't know about the masterclasses. I'll watch some of them on youtube if available.

I absolutely love her Mozart, too. I am working on the a minor sonata and her version is at the ready on my Spotify! Well, hers along with Richard Goode.

The sonata is really probably a step above what I should be working on so quickly after returning to piano, so it's taking me longer than I would normally tolerate for skill acquisition on a piece, but I can always just retreat into her version of it and get some inspiration back to keep working on it!

I just like the way she modulates the tension in the piece along with the playful parts.

I've not ever been pulled one way or the other with her. She must be doing something well to have so gleaned so much admiration from so many corners. That said, had I the opportunity to attend this two week program you're asking about I would go in a heartbeat... controversial teaching methods or not... there is always something to be learned (if you're a wise person you already know this) and how often will you/have you had the chance to hang out in Paris for a couple of weeks (it is in Paris, yes?)

The most impressive playing I've heard from her was from her 2010 BBC Proms late-night concert where she played almost all the Chopin Nocturnes (and nothing but Chopin Nocturnes) - you can hear that concert in full via www.bbc.co.uk/radio3, scroll to Through the Night on 4/7/2013 (which is 7/4/2013 in USA - you guys like to do things differently from the rest of us...). The eighty-minute concert is the first item in the program.

I like her Mozart concertos, but her Schubert piano music and Chopin concertos are, for me, somewhat lacking in real personality and requisite 'fire in the belly', as well as deep introspection.

I've been to 3 recitals of her. The best performance in my opinion was Schubert's Fantasie in F minor, Op.103, D.940. She played this duet with Ricardo Castro. Also on stage she's very relaxed with the audience. A chair and a table next to the piano. A chat with the audience. She's wonderful!