Ireland: Piano Works Rebeca Omordia

• John Ireland (1879 - 1962): Piano Sonata in E Minor:
• 1 Ireland: Piano Sonata in E Minor: I. Allegro moderato 06:31
• 2 Ireland: Piano Sonata in E Minor: II. Non troppo lento 08:41
• 3 Ireland: Piano Sonata in E Minor: III. Con moto moderato 07:13
• Decorations:
• 4 Ireland: Decorations: I. The Island Spell 03:47
• 5 Ireland: Decorations: II. Moon-Glade 02:49
• 6 Ireland: Decorations: III. The Scarlet Ceremonies 03:04
• Two Pieces for Piano:
• 7 Ireland: Two Pieces for Piano: I. Amberley Wild Brooks 03:36
• 8 Ireland: Two Pieces for Piano: II. For Remembrance 03:59
• 9 Ireland: Two Pieces for Piano: I. April 04:06
• 10 Ireland: Two Pieces for Piano: II. Bergomask 03:09
• Sarnia (An Island Sequence):
• 11 Ireland: Sarnia (An Island Sequence): I. Le Catioroc 07:06
• 12 Ireland: Sarnia (An Island Sequence): II. In a May Morning 06:11
• 13 Ireland: Sarnia (An Island Sequence): III. Song of the Springtides 07:03
• Columbine:
• 14 Ireland: Columbine 04:13
• Total Runtime 01:11:28

Info for Ireland: Piano Works

John Ireland is widely regarded as one of the greatest British composers of the twentieth century, his contribution to the piano solo repertoire is of great significance. This album, performed by award-winning pianist Rebeca Omordia, is an exploration of John Ireland's piano music composed over a period of almost forty years, his distinctly English yet individualistic musical style is reflected in works bearing evocative titles that reveal Ireland's deep connection to landscapes and literature, creating a unique sound world. The release includes Decorations, published in 1915, as the earliest pieces, the substantial Piano Sonata in E minor (1920), described by Lisa Hardy in her book as 'the outstanding example of all British piano sonatas'; the large scale Sarnia: An Island Sequence (1940-41) and Columbine, the last piano piece he wrote from 1951.

Rebeca Omordia, piano

Rebeca Omordia,
"Rebeca Omordia is half Romanian, half Nigerian – and it’s a powerful combination! Rebeca’s technique knows no bounds but, more importantly, she plays with a depth of insight and understanding which is all too rare today." (Julian Lloyd Webber, London Magazine)

Described as “A Classical Music Game Changer” by the Classical Music Magazine, London based award-winning Nigerian-Romanian pianist Rebeca Omordia is known as a vibrant, exciting virtuoso throughout the UK and overseas whose work has changed the face of classical music. She enjoys a busy and creative professional career as a soloist, chamber musician, recording artist and artistic director.

Rebeca was born in Romania to a Romanian mother and a Nigerian father. Having begun to establish a profile in her native country, she moved to the UK to study at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and later at Trinity College of Music in London with Professor Mikhail Kazakevich. She holds Doctor in Music degree from the National University of Music in Bucharest, Romania.

An “African classical music pioneer”, in 2018 Rebeca released her CD “EKELE: Piano Music by African Composers” on Heritage Records, the first CD of its kind ever released in the UK described by the Gramophone Magazine as a "fascinating programme”. In 2019 she launched the world's first ever African Concert Series, London, a series of monthly concerts featuring music by African classical composers. The series was given recognition in 2021 by joining Wigmore Hall’s Family of Partners.

Described by the Guardian, Nigeria as “the pianist who cast a spell on Lagos”, in recent seasons Rebeca has toured Nigeria as a recitalist and she has performed as a soloist with MUSON Symphony Orchestra in Lagos and Abuja. She has worked with an array of international musicians, including a three year- partnership with world renowned British cellist Julian Lloyd Webber, an on-going partnership with South African double bass virtuoso Leon Bosch consisting of several recordings for Meridian Records and collaborations with cellists Raphael Wallfisch and Joseph Spooner. Rebeca's CD with pianist Mark Bebbington for SOMM Records, “The Piano Music of Ralph Vaughan Williams”, reached no. 3 in the UK’s Specialist Classical Music Chart.

Rebeca is also a talented arranger, her arrangement for cello and harp of the choral work “Seal Lullaby” by Eric Whitacre was released on Deutsche Grammophon with Julian Lloyd Webber, cello and Catrin Finch, harp.

Rebeca was a jury member in the 13th HRH Princess Lalla Meryem International Piano Competition in Rabat, Morocco.

In 2016 she was awarded the Honorary Membership Award from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire for her services to music.

Booklet for Ireland: Piano Works