Hailed by Gramophone as "an impressively original pianist, with musical maturity and understanding that would make colleagues twice his age envious", Cristian Budu has received high praise from the renowned pianist Nelson Freire, who believed Budu would be his successor. He has established himself as one of the leading figures among the new generation of classical musicians, winning the prestigious Clara Haskil International Competition in Switzerland, considered the most important accolade for a Brazilian pianist in the last 30 years. Budu's achievements include being Instrumentalist of the Year by APCA, Best Concert of the Year in Guia da Folha and earning a place on Gramophone's prestigious list of the "Top 50 Greatest Chopin Recordings”. He has performed with renowned classical musicians, such as Renaud Capuçon and Antonio Meneses, and collaborated with members of the Berlin Philharmonic. Budu also has appeared as a soloist with orchestras worldwide and performed in prestigious venues and festivals across the globe. As the son of Romanian parents, Budu grew up in Diadema, Brazil, and received his musical education at the Fundação das Artes de São Caetano do Sul. He has been involved in various musical projects and social initiatives, aiming to democratize access to classical music. Budu holds a degree in music from the University of São Paulo and an Artist Diploma from the New England Conservatory in Boston.