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 3, but quickly fell in love with the cello at the age of 6.

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 Pre. 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 honours degree, Gerald was awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to continue his studies at Indiana University, receiving tuition from Emilio Colon and Janos Starker. In 2007 he received 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 Dèbut 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 both 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 Clandeboy Festival, as well as trio recitals in France, London, Portugal, Spain, Italy and around Ireland.

Gerald is a founding member of Ensemble Avalon, with Ioana Petcu Colan and Michael McHale. The trio are quickly establishing a strong reputation, with upcoming concert tours of Ireland, Holland, North America and the U.K. They are represented in Ireland by Music Network. See www.ensembleavalon.net for more info.

September 2007 saw the release of Gerald's first commercial cd, 'Heavenly', a collection of popular jazz standards. The release was accompanied by a National Tour.

Sample Programmes

Please contact the Performance Programme Manager below for more information.

Reviews

"Gerald Peregrine plays the cello as if born to it, with a deceptive effortless command of its expressive possibilities."

The Irish Times, 2001

"...he has the gift of sharing a composer's inspiration and this enables him to present the music in all its freshness, its full emotional charge intact."

The Irish Times, 1999

"Bach's testing suite in C was played with revelatory clarity; the harmonic structure supported the melodic line with as much poise and grace as a pair of acrobats performing feats of equilibrium."

The Irish Times, 2000

"This was no ordinary concert. The event, a fund-raiser in support of the Make-a-Wish Foundation for children with life-threatening diseases, was organised by Gerald Peregrine who, along with fellow cellists Paul Grennan, Jane Hughes, Paula Hughes, Peggy Nolan and Arun Rao, donated time and talent for what proved an enjoyable occasion. The only original cello music was a selection from Bach's "Suite No.1 in G", performed by Peregrine. He leaned towards a wholly stylised rather than dancing approach, even in the quick "Courante" and "Menuet", which he played with thoughtful deliberation. The approach worked best in his reflective account of the slow "Sarabande"."

The Irish Times, 2004

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.