Míċeál O'Rourke[1] is an Irish pianist who is best known for his recordings of works by John Field.[2]

Born and raised in Dublin,[3] O'Rourke obtained a degree in music from University College, Dublin. Shortly after graduation, he moved to Paris where he has lived ever since.[4] On 12 December 1976 he gave his first public recital in France, playing an all-Chopin programme.[5] He studied piano under Marcel Ciampi, a pupil of Debussy.[4]

O'Rourke has increased the availability of John Field's works considerably through his recordings of all the piano concerti, sonatas, and nocturnes.[citation needed]

In 1994, O'Rourke was awarded the Chopin Medal by the Fryderyk Chopin Society of Warsaw in recognition of his "outstanding Chopin playing".[6]

Recordings

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  • Chopin - Four ballades, Grandes polonaise brillante, Polonaise-fantasie (1995)
  • Debussy - Preludes and Estampes (1992)
  • Field - 4 Sonatas (1992)
  • Field - 16 Piano Pieces (1994)
  • Field - Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 (1994)
  • Field - Piano Concertos Nos. 3 & 5 (1996)
  • Field - Piano Concertos Nos. 4 & 6 (1995)
  • Field - Piano Concerto No. 7, Divertissement Nos. 1 & 2, Rondeau, Nocturne No.16, Quintetto (1996)
  • Field - The Complete Nocturnes (1988)
  • Pinto - Piano Music (2000)
  • Schumann - Kreisleriana and Carnaval (1995)
  • Field - Nocturnes

References

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  1. ^ In cló Gaelach, the character Ċ stands for ch, so the transcription is rather Mícheál
  2. ^ "Moving On Music | Míċeál O'Rourke & the Stravinsky String Quartet". Archived from the original on 14 July 2007. Retrieved 30 October 2007.
  3. ^ The Irish Times, "Irish pianist to play at Chopin's birthplace", 27 April 1977
  4. ^ a b The Irish Times, "Beethoven not top of his Liszt", 2 November 1999
  5. ^ The Irish Times, "Irish pianist's recital in Paris", 2 December 1976.
  6. ^ Drogheda Independent, "Distinguished pianist O’Rourke in concert", 22 November 2006