Introduction

From Ireland, Debbie studied piano and read music at Trinity College in Dublin before pursuing postgraduate work in North America. This culminated with a doctoral degree in piano performance from McGill University in Montreal. Her teachers have included Marek Jablonski, Mabel Swainson and Kyoko Hashimoto.

Her affinity for early twentieth century French music has brought her several times to France where she worked with Pascal Rogé and Fredéric Aguessy. Additionally, the teaching of Gyorgy Sebok, Joyce Rathbone and Gyorgy Kurtag has influenced her greatly. Pedagogical pursuits have included a six-month sojourn at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, as well as instruction at McGill University and the New England Conservatory. Her lecture recitals concerning the music of Liszt, Satie, Wagner, Fleischmann, Ravel and Debussy have been presented at colloquia in Canada as well as conferences in Ireland and the UK.

In 2010, awards from Culture Ireland, An Foras Feasa and Louth County Council enabled Debbie to premier a specially commissioned programme of duo piano music by Irish and Canadian composers in London, U.K. with Naomi Edemariam, and present a solo recital of Irish music at the American Irish Historical Society in New York.

She has performed a wide range of repertoire as soloist and chamber musician and received notable awards for her playing. Before coming to Doha, Debbie lectured in music at the Dundalk Institute of Technology in Ireland and performed. For a number of years, she has greatly enjoyed introducing children to her instrument and to the joy of making music.

programe

On the Magic Carpet 30' (45' with stories)

Beethoven    Rage over the Lost Penny, Op. 129 6' 30"

Prokofiev    Cinderella's Waltz, Cinderella Suite no. 1 transcribed by Swarsenski 2'

                     Montagues and Capulets from Romeo and Juliet 4' 20

Debussy        Pagodes  from Estampes     5' 30"

Jardins sous la pluie from Estampes 3' 50

Les Soirs illumines par l'ardeur du charbon 1917 2' 30

Feux d'artifice  from Preludes Book 2    5'

In Outer Space, with Musica Ricercata of Ligeti – 15'

Sostenuto    2' 10"   The Spaceship Lands

Mesto, rigido e cerimoniale    3'  Opening the Door of the Spaceship and Exploring 

Allegro con spirito    1' 15"   Turning Cartwheels

Tempo di Valse 1' 40"   Dancing

Cantabile, molto lento   2' 50  Singing a Song

Vivace. Energico       1' 10"    The Explorers Celebrate

Vivace. Capriccioso 1' 30"    The Spaceship Returns to Earth

Journey to a Strange and Foreign Land, with Grieg's Music – 30'

Arietta, Lyric Pieces, Op. 12 / 1     1' 30"

In the Hall of the Mountain King, Peer Gynt Suite no. 1, Op. 46   2' 30"

Solveig’s Song, Peer Gynt Suite no. 2, Op. 55    3' 30"

Norwegian Dance, Op. 47/28         1' 30"

March of the Dwarfs, Op. 54          3' 15"

Fairy dance, Op. 12 / 4     1'

Little Bird, Op. 43 / 20      2'

To the Spring, Op. 43      5'

Scherzo, Op. 54 / 5                  3'

Puck, Op. 71 / 62             2'

Remembrances, Op. 71 / 66    2'      

This concert received the big support of Culture Ireland.