Born in Mexico City, pianist Raúl Herrera has established himself as one of the most active and best known pianists of his country. He is regularly featured by the principal orchestras of Mexico and frequently collaborates with the country’s most distinguished instrumentalists, chamber ensembles, composers, conductors and singers. Outside of Mexico, he has performed in the United States, Canada, Europe, Central America, the Caribbean and the Middle East. In 1979, he won first prize in Mexico’s national Arthur Rubinstein Competition, and on two occasions he has been awarded the annual prize of the Mexican Association of Music Critics. His two CDs of Mexican music from the period 1880-1910 were warmly received by both critics and the public and obtained the top prize at the Valentín Ruiz Aznar international competition of recorded music in Granada, Spain. To this date, they have sold over 20,000 copies. His most recent recording, Americana Inventio I, contains music from Mexico, Cuba, Venezuela, Brazil and Argentina. Raúl Herrera has also made several recordings for radio and TV, some of which have been broadcasted coast to coast in Mexico and the United States.
Raúl Herrera studied at the National University of Mexico and The Cleveland Institute of Music. His major teachers were Pascual Toral, Americo Caramuta, and Grant Johannesen; he also received master classes from distinguished pianists like Arminda Canteros, Joerg Demus, Jorge Bolet, and Michel Block.
The author of a book on piano technique, he is currently on the piano faculty of the Escuela Superior de Música in Mexico City. He is also a frequent guest lecturer at conservatories and universities in Mexico and abroad, as well as juror in national and international competitions. In the United States, he has offered lecture-recitals in the Universities of Bloomington and Kansas, and master classes at The Cleveland Institute of Music.
After a lifetime of playing for all sorts of audiences, Raul Herrera has developed a way of addressing his listeners in some occasions, which results in unique depth of musical and personal communication.
“His performance is distinguished by a refined interpretive sense and uninhibited musicianship.”
José Antonio Alcaraz, Festival Internacional Cervantino
“…pure joy.”
Ricardo Rondón, El Heraldo de México
“…concert pianist of the highest rank.”
Rafael Rodríguez, Claridades
“…charisma for turning his concerts into friendly, informal sessions where, in friendly chat, he addresses the audience. This the public appreciates immensely and responds enthusiastically.”
María Teresa Castrillón, El Heraldo de México
“He obviously loves this music and manages to project these feelings admirably.”
Ricardo Rondón, Novedades
“…exquisite rendering, mature both technically and musically.”
Isabel Farfán, Siempre
“…some of the best keyboard artistry we have heard in a long while…splendid keyboard command…an artist of the first rank.”
Elmwood Bear, Atención San Miguel
“…a kind of keyboard celebration.”
Fernando Diez de Urdanivia, El Universal
His lyric approach of [Schubert’s] Andante reminded me that of Dame Myra Hess…He let himself get carried away, offering a deeply telling delivery… the virtue of being able to charm the audience.”
Lázaro Azar, Reforma
”…beautiful equilibrium of sound, sensitive touché, and ability to build a lyrical narration.”
Radko Tichavisky, Milenio
“…a delight to the ears…”
Alejandro Fernández, El Norte
“…intimate listening experience.”
Charles McCardell, The Washington Post.
Me interesa contactar a Raul Herrera, hace mas de 10 años que no lo veo y planeo viajar a México. Actualmente vivo en Barcelona
Saludos y felicidades por su web
By: Lilia Cárdenas on diciembre 8, 2008
at 12:05 pm
Querido Raul;
No sabes que gusto saber que estas en el mundo despues de haber perdido contacto hace varios anos. Me encantaria volver a comunicarme contigo.
Saludos.
By: Gabriela Pimienta on marzo 13, 2009
at 8:26 pm
soy sobrino de antonio cano de el paso tx. tengo 29 mi papa se llamaba filiberto cano jr. mi tio me dice que usted es un gran pianista lo saludo mucho y siga siendo buena musica
By: alberto cano on noviembre 12, 2009
at 7:41 pm
Raúl,
Veo que no sólo yo perdí contacto contigo. Espero te encuentres bien y no te olvides de los amigos.
By: Gloria A. Bessenbacher (Kansas City) on julio 26, 2011
at 11:10 pm
Estimado Raúl,
No me canso de escuchar tu música. He escuchado tantas veces tus CDs, que no me sorprendenría que dentro de poco tuviera que reemplazarlos. Me gustaría saber de tí. A dónde me puedo poner en contacto contigo?
Saludos desde Kansas City
By: Gloria A. Bessenbacher on marzo 7, 2012
at 10:17 pm
Admiro su calidad. Tengo dos discos de “Música Mexicana de Salón, extraordinairios. Tiene mas grabaciones, gracias, Dr. Rojo Padilla
By: Dr. José Antonio Rojo Padilla on marzo 20, 2013
at 6:46 pm
saludos primo desde el paso tex ,tu primo antonio cano
By: antonio cano on mayo 3, 2013
at 9:17 am
Don Raul,
Ace muchos anos que hamos comunicado via internet. Yo soy Joe Montelongo de San Diego California. Mi email es: jrmontelongo@cox.net
Si se acuerda, mi abuelito toco en la banda de Maclovio Herrera. Usted me dijo que tenia copia del diario de Antonio Villalva, el conductor de la banda. Por favor si me puede mandar via internet una copia del diario de Senor Villalva. Muchisimas Gracias!
By: Joe Montelongo on octubre 25, 2013
at 3:05 pm
Soy tu fan tio…felicidades.
By: Georgina Reynal on noviembre 27, 2013
at 4:13 pm
Hoy sábado 14 de junio aprox. 13 horas Canal 11 interpretó concierto de Beethoven Número………5? y otra al final, encore, de Schubert . Podría decirme cómo se llamó esa encore por favor? Ambas interpretaciones hermosas, magnifique.
Mil gracias y muchas felicidades.
By: Guadalupe Leal on junio 14, 2014
at 3:09 pm
My husband has a piano that belonged to Porfirio Diaz when he was president. It was constructed for him personally. It was gifted to his grandmother in Austin many many years ago. I find it very interesting that you play porfirian music on the piano. I would love to hear it. The piano is a great conversation piece in our home.
By: jennifer neal on septiembre 9, 2014
at 3:33 pm
Su libro, la sangre en el río, lo disfrute; como podría conseguir el de Dña Celi Herrera, ….
By: Jorge gomez on diciembre 19, 2014
at 2:07 pm
Hola Raúl también hace años que sigo tu musica a través de Cd´s y tus libros no los he podido conseguir saludos cordiales
By: Yolanda Graciela González Lomelí on diciembre 3, 2018
at 1:37 pm