Praised by critics as a “sound wizard” (Rheinische Post – DE), an “extraordinary musician” (Scherzo – ES), and for his “total control of the instrument’s sound,” “technical perfection,” and “enviable aesthetic sensitivity” (Público – PT), Portuguese clarinetist Horácio Ferreira performs internationally as a concert soloist, chamber musician, and recitalist. Named a “Rising Star” by the European Concert Hall Organization (ECHO), he has appeared in prestigious venues such as the Philharmonie de Paris, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Musikverein in Vienna, and the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg.

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Young Musician of the Year and the first clarinetist to win both the junior and senior divisions of the Prémio Jovens Músicos in 2014, Horácio has also received prizes from the Concours Debussy in Paris, the Prague Spring International Music Competition, and the Estoril Interpretation Competition, and won first prize at the J. Pakalnis International Competition in Vilnius, the Terras de La Salette Competition, and the AGEAS New Talents Award in Porto. He has also been awarded the Medal of Merit by the Municipality of Santa Comba Dão, the Revelation Award by Anim’Art magazine, and was a fellow of the Gulbenkian Foundation.

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His international career has taken him across Europe, China, Brazil, the USA, Dubai, and Israel, performing as a soloist with the Gulbenkian Orchestra, Czech Philharmonic, Cologne Chamber Orchestra, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Orquestra Sinfónica do Porto Casa da Música, Portuguese Symphony Orchestra, Israel Chamber Orchestra, Athens State Orchestra, Orquestra XXI, and the Portuguese Symphony Wind Orchestra, among others. He is the founder of the Art’Ventus Quintet and a member of the ars ad hoc ensemble, exploring new approaches to chamber music.

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Horácio Ferreira is a Vandoren Artist, performing with a BD5 mouthpiece and V12 3.5 reeds, and a Buffet Crampon Artist, playing on a set of Tosca clarinets. Since 2018, became Artistic Advisor to the Marvão International Music Festival (FIMM) and in 2025, Horácio was appointed as Artistic Director of the Banda Sinfónica Portuguesa.