WORLD OF THE PIANO

Recognized as one of the world’s premier Beethoven interpreters, Shenandoah Conservatory Distinguished Artist-in-Residence John O’Conor celebrates Beethoven’s 250th birthday anniversary with a special performance of the composer’s last three sonatas. The native Dubliner was unanimously awarded first prize at the 1973 International Beethoven Piano Competition in Vienna, launching a virtuosic and global career where he is now acknowledged, “…as one of the greatest pianists of our time, and his expressive touch has lost nothing of the perfection that first launched him to fame over 40 years ago” (Madison Magazine).

PROGRAM

Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata in E Major, op. 109
Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata in A-flat Major, op. 110
Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata in C Minor, op. 111

Program subject to change.

New This Year: Digital Programs!

Shenandoah Conservatory is launching digital programs for the 2021/22 season! We’re always looking for ways to improve your audience experience and provide more ways to connect with our students, faculty and guest artists from around the world. The digital program is best viewed on your mobile or tablet device.

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MEET THE ARTIST

“A pianist of unbounding sensitivity” (Gramophone); “He represents a vanishing tradition that favors inner expression and atmosphere over showmanship and bravura” (Chicago Tribune); “Impeccable technique and musicality … it would be hard to imagine better performances” (Sunday Times – London); “This artist has the kind of flawless touch that makes an audience gasp” (Washington Post); “Exquisite playing” (The New York Times).

Irish pianist John O’Conor has been gathering wonderful reviews for his masterly playing for more than forty years. Having studied in his native Dublin, in Vienna with Dieter Weber and being tutored by the legendary Wilhelm Kempff his unanimous 1st prize at the International Beethoven Piano Competition in Vienna in 1973 opened the door to a career that has brought him all around the world.

His recordings of the complete Beethoven Piano Sonatas led CD Review to say that he, “by now should be recognised as the world’s premier Beethoven interpreter” and his recent recordings of the complete Beethoven Piano Concertos with the London Symphony Orchestra and Andreas Delfs have also been greeted with acclaim. In the past year he has released two new CDs on the Steinway label, one of Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations and the other of five Haydn Sonatas.

A Steinway Artist, he is chair of the keyboard division at Shenandoah University in Virginia, professor of piano at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, international visiting artist at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and visiting professor at Showa University in Japan.

For his services to music he has been decorated Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Government, awarded the Ehrenkreuz fur Wissenschaft und Kunst by the Austrian Government, the Order of the Rising Sun by the Emperor of Japan, and has received many other awards.

Visit www.johnoconor.com to learn more.

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ACCESSIBILITY

Accommodations for disabilities may be arranged by contacting the Box Office at least three days prior to the performance.

Photos courtesy of the artist