Cathal Breslin is one of the most exciting pianists of his generation. A busy international career has taken him to critically acclaimed performances in Concert Halls throughout Europe, USA and Asia. He has worked under such prestigious conductors as Vladimir Altschuler, Christian Gansch, Barry Douglas, Giovanni Battista Rigon, Niklas Willen, and Gearoid Grant.

Recent concerto performances have included Beethoven Concertos No. 2 and 4, Prokofiev Concertos No.1 and 2, Rachmaninov Paganini Rhapsody, and Mozart Concertos, with orchestras such as the Turin Philharmonic in Italy, National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, Ulster Orchestra, Camerata Ireland and the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland.

Recent solo recitals have been in Florida, Ohio, California, Michigan and Texas, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Hamamatsu in Asia, and throughout Europe. Upcoming solo recitals in the 2008/9 Season include a Carnegie Hall Recital in New York, El Ateneo in Madrid, Spain, Palacio Foz in Lisbon, Portugal, Zala Bulgaria in Sofia, Bulgaria, and throughout Ireland, Italy and the US.

Cathal has been awarded top prizes in some of the most prestigious International Piano Competitions in the World, such as the Viotti International Piano Competition in Vercelli/Milan, Italy (World Federation), the Carlet International Piano Competition in Valencia, Spain, the Grand Konzerteum International Piano Competition in Athens, Greece, the Iowa International Piano Competition in the US, and Special Prizes in the AXA Dublin International Piano Competition, among others.

He has broadcast regularly for BBC Radio 3, RTÉ lyric fm, RTVE Spain, and has performed on Japanese, Spanish and Irish television. His Mozart recording for the European Broadcasting Union has been broadcast throughout the world on national radio stations in over 29 countries, including Russia, USA, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

He began studies at the Royal College of Music in London with John Barstow, followed at the RNCM in Manchester with Kathryn Stott, and then at the Real Conservatorio Superior de Musica de Madrid with Joaquin Soriano, sponsored by the BBC's Young Artist Scheme. He received the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, working with Arthur Greene. To support his time in the US he was the 2005 Fulbright Scholar in the Arts from Ireland, in addition to the recipient of the Arts Award as a Bank of Ireland Millennium Scholar.

Gerald Peregrine is one of Ireland's leading young musicians. The youngest member of a well known Irish musical family, his mother is the violinist Sheila O'Grady, his uncle the late great tenor Frank Patterson. Gerald began studying violin at the age of three, but quickly fell in love with the cello at the age of six.

Having studied in Ireland, Gerald began commuting regularly to London at the age of 15 for tuition with the late mentor William Pleeth, the former teacher to Jacqueline Du Pré. At 18 he was awarded a Foundation scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music, London, with the renowned American pedagogue Steven Doane. Having gained a 1st class hons degree, Gerald was awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to continue his studies at Indiana University, receiving tuition form Emilio Colon and Janos Starker. In 2007 he recieved a first class honours Masters from Limerick University, where he was RTÉ lyric fm Artist in Residence during his studies.

In 1996 Gerald won the String Category of the RTÉ young musician of the future. He was awarded many Arts Council Scholarships to assist with his tuition, as well as several college prizes. On his return to Ireland Gerald was awarded the prestigious National Concert Hall Debut Recital, which he gave to acclaim in 2003. Gerald has been busy building a career as a soloist and chamber musician. He has made many broadcasts in Ireland, for RTÉ and BBC radio and television.

He has appeared as soloist with Irish National Youth Orchestras, the National Symphony Orchestra, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and the Orchestra of Saint Cecilia. He presented two successful recital series in the National Concert Hall, featuring the complete works for cello and piano by Beethoven, Bach and Brahms, broadcast by RTÉ lyric fm. Recent highlights have included performances at the West Cork Chamber Music Festival, the Camerata Ireland Clandeboye Festival, as well as trio recitals in France, London, Portugal, Spain, Italy and around Ireland.

Gerald is a founding member of the critically acclaimed piano trio Ensemble Avalon, with Ioana Petcu Colan and Michael McHale. The trio are quickly establishing a strong reputation at home and abroad, with upcoming concert tours of Ireland, North America and the UK. They are represented in Ireland by Music Network.

Sample Programmes

Please contact the Performance Programme Manager below for more information.

Reviews

"a deep connection to the music...as though the music was taking him over, this intensity was palpable ... an incredibly accomplished performer"

The Tampa Oracle, Florida on Cathal Breslin

"superb intensity and passion"

The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Ohio on Cathal Breslin

"he has the gift of sharing a composer's inspiration, delivering the music with its full emotional charge intact"

The Irish Times on Gerald Peregrine

"Gerald Peregrine plays the cello as if born to it"

The Irish Times on Gerald Peregrine

More Info

For further information on availability or artist fees or to discuss a booking please contact the Performance Programme Manager by emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or telephone: 01 6719429.