Seán Morgan-Rooney - Amarte Studio Concerts

Seán Morgan-Rooney

June, 26th 2022
Start time: 20.00u
Doors open: 19.15u

About the program:
A raindrop, an ocean; water and fire: this program of contrasts brings together some of the most beloved composers of the 20th century in works that have each been inspired by some element of nature. Berio's Wasserklavier is one of six nature-inspired Encores that he wrote for piano solo. Each of these Encores has a unique texture and style that lend themselves to the given inspiration. Chopin's "Raindrop" prelude is one of the most popular of his 24, and in this version by the performer, a contemporary connection is made to a popular song with a similar titular theme. Ravel’s Miroirs suite is a virtuosic set of five pieces each dedicated to a different member of Ravel’s artistic friend group, with each piece also reflecting off of various images of nature. Finally, Stravinsky's Firebird Suite, arranged for solo piano by the Italian pianist Guido Agosti, ends the programme in a tour de force of color and magic - both the good and evil kind.

About Seán Morgan-Rooney:
Seán Morgan-Rooney is an Amsterdam-based pianist from Northern Ireland. His early studies were with John O'Conor at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin. He went on to study with Professor Christopher Elton at the Royal Academy of Music in London and David Kuyken at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. He is also an alumnus of the IMS Prussia Cove in England, the Banff Centre's Piano Programme in Canada and the Aspen Music Festival and School in the USA.

Winner of several prizes for his playing, as a teenager Seán was a piano finalist of the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition. He was the winner of the Charles J. Brennan prize at the 10th Dublin International Piano Competition, as well as a former winner of the Royal
Academy of Music's Else Cross Prize for contemporary music. He is also a past finalist of the Dutch Classical Talent Award.

Seán has given solo recitals in many of the Netherlands' preeminent concert halls, including Het Concertgebouw, Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ and De Doelen. Alongside traditional repertoire, he is involved in more explorative, interdisciplinary performances. He has worked on numerous
occasions with film, dance and theatre, and has performed in various collaborative settings including Amsterdam Fashion Week, the Eye Film Museum and Splendor Amsterdam. Seán also composes his own music, focusing on live piano with electronics as well as song composition.

He currently plays on a 1929 Hamburg Steinway, generously on loan to him from the Nationaal Muziekinstrumenten Fonds of the Netherlands.

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