A graduate in music from Trinity College, Dublin, and Queens College of the City University, New York John Feeley has taught at Memphis State University and currently holds the post of Senior Lecturer at the Conservatory of Music, Dublin Institute of Technology.

In addition to his solo and chamber music concerts, Feeley has performed widely with orchestra -- with The American Symphony at Carnegie Hall, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, the Ulster Orchestra, and the Irish Chamber Orchestra, among others. He has won a number of prizes in international competitions, including the Special Award for interpretation in the 1984 Mauro Giuliani competition, Italy.

Highly regarded for his performance of new works by Irish composers, he has had many works written for him, which include Guitar Concertos by Jerome de Bromhead, Eric Sweeney and Brent Parker; a Quintet for Guitar and String Quartet by Andrew Shiels; Four Pieces by Jane O' Leary; a solo Guitar Sonata and Flute and Guitar duo, In Winter Light, by John Buckley; a number of works by David Fennessy, John McLachlan and Ciaran Farrell. The American composer, Robert Newell, has also written an extended solo guitar work for him.

He is a regular performer at many international guitar festivals, including the Bath International Guitar Festival , the Dundee International Guitar Festival, the Dublin International Guitar Festival, the Wirral International Guitar Festival and the Walton's Guitar Festival of Ireland. He has made recordings with K-Tel, Gael-Linn Records, CBA Classics, Ossiain Records, Castle Communications, a highly acclaimed CD of contemporary Irish music with Blackbox Music, England and has recently released a CD of the music of Irish composer John Buckley with the German company, Celestial Harmonies. He has also recorded with the Chieftains and famous Spanish Soprano Montserrat Caballes.

He is well known for his own delightful guitar arrangements of Irish music which appear on several of his many recordings. Concerts have taken him around the world and include appearances at the Sydney Opera House, the Old Opera House, Frankfurt, the L'Arena in Verona, and New York's Carnegie Hall.

Sample Programmes

Cello Suite no. 1 in D by J. S. Bach ( arr. Feeley)
Prelude
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Minuets 1 & 2
Gigue

Isein Bhoideach....... trad. arr Feeley
Mrs Bermingham's Air and Jig (Carolan)...arr. J. Feeley
An Bhainis Posta a Bhi igCana ...... trad. arr Feeley

Grande Ouverture, Op. 61 (M. Giuliani)

Intermission

2 Preludes...... H. Villa-Lobos
Bi a Iosa im Chroise...... trad. Arr. J. Feeley
The Coolin………. trad. Arr. John Feeley
Planxty Browne .... Trad. arr. John Feeley
Down by the Sally Gardens .... Trad. arr. John Feeley

Suita Espanola...... Isaac Albeniz (Arr. J. Feeley)
Cadiz
Leyenda
Granada
Cuba
Sevilla

Reviews

"...a bolder more imaginative interpreter..."

New York Times

"Above all the achievement is Feeley's, his commanding technique placed at the service of talented young composers."

BBC The complete guide to Classical music, April 1999

"Immaculate recording compliments Feeley's remarkable virtuosity...an abundance of refined writing and exquisite playing."

The Wire, London, January 1999

"...all played with careful attention to nuances of tone and texture...a devoted audience rose to its collective feet at both intermission and concert's end."

Review, Washington Post, Feb. 21, 2005

"...his formidable technique and sheer musicality can take your breath away..."

Avant Issue 10, winter 1999, England

"... Feeley's playing is as impeccable as always"

Sunday Tribune, Ireland, Nov. 1999

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.