B I O G R A P H Y
Mercedes B von Brünneck is an Argentine-American pianist,
harpsichordist and period performer. Brunneck has been noted by
many for her virtuosity achieved at a very early age. Her repertoire
consists primarily Baroque and Classical works.
Since early on, Mercedes had always showed exceptional abilities on the keyboard.
During her early childhood, Mercedes (aged 3) would sit at the piano and play
from memory what she heard earlier from the piano lessons her mother would
take with her private tutor. At 5 years of age, Mercedes began to learn by her own
means how to play the piano based on the material she saw her mother's music
teacher leave at their home. Everything she learned she would effortlessly perform
out of memory.
Once Mercedes turned 11, she took up classical music in a serious manner and
rapidly began working to establish her career. She also took up composition and
improvisation in the style of late 18th century composers. Later at the age of 14, she
started to develop a special interest in period performance and began aiming her
devotion towards historically informed performance from a that age.
"To write such coherent harmonies is very rare to find in children that age. She'll come
in every week with a new composition." ~ Ken Fix, Composer and Director of Stars School of Performing Arts.
"She plays with a concentrated vigor and is notable for the rapidity of her finger movements." ~ Camille Gavin, The Bakersfield Californian.
“She strikes the keys with such sweetness and passion. When she played the second movement, the air filled full of emotions. It's the first time this piece brings tears to my eyes. Mercedes is the genius of the keyboard." ~ A guest’s comments after her rehearsal of Mozart's piano concerto in A major KV488.
"Genius without parallel" ~Jessica Yavorski, Writer
At 12 years of age, Mercedes participated on her first national contest and performed one of her compositions, receiving a second place award.
Mercedes made her first professional debut featuring various Mozart’s piano works including orchestral pieces transcribed for the keyboard herself, marking the beginning of her musical career as a classical pianist, at just the age of 12.
At the age of 13, Mercedes was given a prestigious invitation to study with the famed concert master Leonid Margarius in Milan, Italy.
On April 6, 2013, Mercedes was invited to perform as a special guest at a charitable red carpet event among well known celebrities to raise funds for a non profit dedicated to children with special needs at the Woman's Club of Hollywood. Later, in that same year, she was nominated finalist in the "Beautiful Bakersfield Awards 2013" for her "Outstanding humanitarian efforts in the benefit of Bakersfield community" on the televised awards ceremony and awards gala that took place on June 1st, 2013 at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel of Bakersfield.
Mercedes has been featured nationally and internationally on television, radio and newspapers. One of Mercedes’ many tv interviews, highlighting her musical genius was nominated and awarded the “Edward R. Murrow Award”. She was featured on a CNN International special for her many humanitarian contributions to Childrens’ Hospitals and Charities in California.
"It's a unique talent in the world!" exclaimed Robert Provencio, Director of the Music Department of CSUB (California State University Bakersfield) after hearing Mercedes play her compositions on the harpsichord.
"She's a wunderkind! She was hailed by the audience in applause and cheers as she played blindfolded!" ~El Popular News
"Elton John started like you, but he probably didn't have as much talent" ~ Camilo Egaña, CNN Presenter
“ This young lady is nothing short of amazing, she is incredibly talented & I am so excited to follow her career...” Gino Spizzirri, Actor
In early 2013 Mercedes suffered an accident that resulted in a wrist injury which forced her to retire from major performances and appearances until further notice.
"An old soul for sure." -Lonni Rivera, Reporter for NBC-KGET Bakersfield.
