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WORLD OF THE PIANO
Irish pianist Finghin Collins returns to our stage with a program showcasing his profound artistry and formidable virtuosity. Since his last performance in Winchester, Collins has continued captivating audiences around the world with concerts in Europe, the United States and Asia. Winner of the RTÉ Musician of the Future Competition in 1994 and the Classical Category at the National Entertainment Awards in Ireland in 1998, he went on to take first prize at the Clara Haskil International Piano Competition in Switzerland in 1999. In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Collins was granted an honorary degree of Doctor of Music in 2017 by the National University of Ireland.
PROGRAM
Mozart: Sonata in A Major K. 331 “Alla Turca”
Brahms: Vier Klavierstücke, op. 119
Schubert: Sonata in A Major, D. 959
Program subject to change.
WATCH
MEET THE ARTIST
One of Ireland’s most successful musicians, Dubliner Finghin Collins was born in 1977 and studied piano at the Royal Irish Academy of Music with John O’Conor and at the Geneva Conservatoire with Dominique Merlet. He achieved major international success by taking first prize at the Clara Haskil International Piano Competition in Switzerland in 1999. Since then he has developed a flourishing international career that takes him all over Europe, the United States and the Far East. Most recently, he made his Australian début in July 2016.
Collins has performed with such orchestras as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Budapest Festival Orchestra, Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Gulbenkian Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, garnering consistent praise from critics and public alike. From 2010 to 2013, Finghin Collins was the first Associate Artist of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, performing the complete Mozart and Beethoven piano concertos and the première of a new work by Deirdre Gribbin.
Over the past decade Collins has developed a close relationship with Claves Records in Switzerland, recording two double CDs of Schumann’s piano music (which won numerous awards including Gramophone’s Editor’s Choice in 2006), and a recording a CD of works for piano and orchestra by Charles V. Stanford with the RTÉ NSO / Kenneth Montgomery (Editor’s Choice, May 2011). In May 2013 RTÉ lyric fm launched his recording of four Mozart piano concertos directed from the keyboard with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra. A new solo Chopin CD was released in 2017, a co-production between RTÉ lyric fm and Claves.
Finghin Collins has been Artistic Director of the New Ross Piano Festival since its inception in 2006, and is also Artistic Director of Music for Galway since 2013.
Visit www.finghincollins.com to learn more.
PRE-CONCERT TALK
Sunday, April 14 at 2PM • Armstrong Concert Hall
Join us on the Sunday of each World of the Piano performance at 2PM in Armstrong Concert Hall for a Pre-Concert Talk! Learn about the artist’s program from Shenandoah Conservatory faculty.
PIANO MASTERCLASS
Monday, April 15 from 10AM to Noon • Armstrong Concert Hall
Observe the guest artists as they work with Shenandoah Conservatory piano students. Masterclasses are held on the Monday following each Sunday World of the Piano performance from 10AM to noon in Armstrong Concert Hall. Limited seating is open to the public for quiet observation. Please arrive by 9:45AM.
ACCESSIBILITY
All facilities are wheelchair accessible. Infrared hearing system headsets are available in Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre only. Accommodations for disabilities may be arranged by contacting the Box Office at least three days prior to the performance.
Photos by Frances Marshall