Míceál O'Rourke explained

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.

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

• 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

Notes and References

1. In cló Gaelach, the character Ċ stands for ch, so the transcription is rather Mícheál
2. Web site: Moving On Music Míċeál O'Rourke & the Stravinsky String Quartet . 30 October 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070714195418/http://www.movingonmusic.co.uk/tours/?id=15 . 14 July 2007 . dead .
3. The Irish Times, "Irish pianist to play at Chopin's birthplace", 27 April 1977
4. 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