Finghin Collins
Encyclopedia
Finghin Collins is an Irish
pianist
. He won first prize at the Clara Haskil International Piano Competition
in Vevey
, Switzerland, in 1999, and has performed with many of the world's leading orchestras and conductors.
at the Royal Irish Academy of Music
in Dublin and with Dominique Merlet at the Conservatoire de Musique in Geneva
, Switzerland
. He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from Dublin City University
in 1999 and a premier prix avec distinction from the Conservatoire in Geneva in 2002. He won the RTÉ Musician of the Future Competition in Dublin in 1994, as well as semi-final prizes at the Leeds International Piano Competition
in 1996, the Guardian Dublin International Piano Competition in 1997, and the Classical Category at the National Entertainment Awards in Ireland in 1998. Finally, in 1999, Collins won the top prize at the Clara Haskil International Piano Competition.
, Houston Symphony Orchestra
, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
, and many others; with such conductors as Christoph Eschenbach
, Hans Graf
, Emmanuel Krivine, and others; with ensembles such as London Winds and the Aviv, Callino, Chilingirian, and other string quartets; and with such instrumentalists as Isabelle van Keulen, Gwendolyn Masin
, Miriam Fried, and Anthony Marwood
.
released Collins's debut solo CD album, Impromptu. In May 2006, Claves Records released a double CD set featuring the piano music of Robert Schumann
.
Collins is artist-in-Residence at Waterford Institute of Technology
and artistic director of the New Ross Piano Festival
.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
. He won first prize at the Clara Haskil International Piano Competition
Clara Haskil International Piano Competition
The Clara Haskil Piano Competition was founded in 1963 in order to honour and perpetuate the memory of the incomparable Swiss pianist, of Romanian origin, who was born in Bucarest in 1895....
in Vevey
Vevey
Vevey is a town in Switzerland in the canton Vaud, on the north shore of Lake Geneva, near Lausanne.It was the seat of the district of the same name until 2006, and is now part of the Riviera-Pays-d'Enhaut District...
, Switzerland, in 1999, and has performed with many of the world's leading orchestras and conductors.
Studies and competitions
Collins studied with John O'ConorJohn O'Conor
John O'Conor is an Irish pianist and pedagogue, and former director of the Royal Irish Academy of Music. He is frequently cited as the greatest living interpreter of the piano music of Beethoven, having recorded his entire repertoire, including the sonatas, concerti, and bagatelles...
at the Royal Irish Academy of Music
Royal Irish Academy of Music
The Royal Irish Academy of Music is a linked college of Dublin City University located in Dublin, Ireland.It was founded in 1848 by a group of music enthusiasts and moved to its present address in Westland Row in 1871. The following year it was granted the right to use the title "Royal"...
in Dublin and with Dominique Merlet at the Conservatoire de Musique in Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from Dublin City University
Dublin City University
Dublin City University is a university situated between Glasnevin, Santry, Ballymun and Whitehall on the Northside of Dublin in Ireland...
in 1999 and a premier prix avec distinction from the Conservatoire in Geneva in 2002. He won the RTÉ Musician of the Future Competition in Dublin in 1994, as well as semi-final prizes at the Leeds International Piano Competition
Leeds International Pianoforte Competition
The Leeds International Piano Competition informally known as The Leeds takes place every three years in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It was founded in 1961 by Marion, Countess of Harewood and Fanny Waterman, who is today its Chairman and Artistic Director. The competition was first held in 1963...
in 1996, the Guardian Dublin International Piano Competition in 1997, and the Classical Category at the National Entertainment Awards in Ireland in 1998. Finally, in 1999, Collins won the top prize at the Clara Haskil International Piano Competition.
Performances
Collins has performed with such orchestras as the Chicago Symphony OrchestraChicago Symphony Orchestra
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1891, the Symphony makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival...
, Houston Symphony Orchestra
Houston Symphony Orchestra
The Houston Symphony is an American orchestra based in Houston, Texas. Since 1966, it has performed at the Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts in downtown Houston....
, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London. It tours widely, and is sometimes referred to as "Britain's national orchestra"...
, and many others; with such conductors as Christoph Eschenbach
Christoph Eschenbach
Christoph Eschenbach , born February 20, 1940, Breslau, Germany is a German-born pianist and conductor. He currently holds positions in Washington, D.C. as music director of the National Symphony Orchestra and music director of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.-Early...
, Hans Graf
Hans Graf
Hans Graf is an Austrian conductor.As a child, Graf learned the violin and the piano. He studied at the Musikhochschule in Graz, Austria, and graduated with diplomas in piano and conducting. He also participated in conducting master classes with Franco Ferrara, Sergiu Celibidache and Arvīds Jansons...
, Emmanuel Krivine, and others; with ensembles such as London Winds and the Aviv, Callino, Chilingirian, and other string quartets; and with such instrumentalists as Isabelle van Keulen, Gwendolyn Masin
Gwendolyn Masin
-Early Biography:Born in Amsterdam, Gwendolyn Masin is the descendant of a long line of professional musicians from Central and Eastern Europe.Masin began to play the piano at the age of 3. She took up the violin at the age of 5 and within her initial year of schooling, gave her first public...
, Miriam Fried, and Anthony Marwood
Anthony Marwood
Anthony Marwood is a solo classical violinist, appearing in concerto performances worldwide with orchestras such as the Boston Symphony, LA Philharmonic, St Louis Symphony, the Philharmonia Orchestra, the UK's BBC orchestras, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand Symphony and the...
.
Recordings
In May 2005, RTÉ lyric fmRTÉ lyric fm
RTÉ lyric fm is an Irish classical music radio station, owned by the public-service broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann. The station, which is based in Limerick, was launched in 1999 and is available on FM in Ireland, on satellite, on Sky Digital in Ireland and United Kingdom and via the...
released Collins's debut solo CD album, Impromptu. In May 2006, Claves Records released a double CD set featuring the piano music of Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann, sometimes known as Robert Alexander Schumann, was a German composer, aesthete and influential music critic. He is regarded as one of the greatest and most representative composers of the Romantic era....
.
Collins is artist-in-Residence at Waterford Institute of Technology
Waterford Institute of Technology
Waterford Institute of Technology is a state funded third-level educational institution situated in the city of Waterford, Ireland. The Institute has six Schools and 16 Departments....
and artistic director of the New Ross Piano Festival
New Ross Piano Festival
The New Ross Piano Festival is an Irish festival of classical music which takes place annually in the County Wexford town of New Ross. The festival began in 2006 and features music for piano, whether as a solo instrument or as part of a chamber music ensemble....
.