Cathal Breslin

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Cathal Breslin has been praised worldwide as one of the most exciting pianists of his generation with critical acclaim such as “superb intensity and passion” (Cleveland Plain Dealer, Ohio), “energized and energizing” (Belfast Telegraph, N. Ireland), “a deep connection to the music” (Tampa Oracle, Florida), and “noble poetry and perfumed pianissimo” (The Independent, London). Born in Derry, Northern Ireland, he has performed solo recitals in major concert halls throughout Europe, U.S., and Asia, such as Carnegie Hall in New York, Wigmore Hall in London, Kumho Hall in Seoul, and the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing.

Recent solo concerto performances have included Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Beethoven, Mozart, Takemitsu, Poulenc and Liszt Concerti with orchestras such as the RTE National Symphony Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, Greensboro Symphony NC, Jackson Symphony TN, Turin Philharmonic, Memphis Symphony, RTE Concert Orchestra, and the Arizona Music Fest Orchestra.

As a chamber musician, Cathal has performed extensively with renowned musicians such as flutist Sir James Galway, soprano Measha Brueggergosman, violinists Augustin Dumay, Anne Akiko Meyers, Dmitry Sitkovetsky, cellists Jan Vogler, Jeffrey Zeigler, Raphael Wallfisch, pianists Barry Douglas and Awadagin Pratt, the Houston Symphony Winds, and the Brodsky and Coull Quartets. He is a regular member of Trio Festivale, a flute-cello-piano ensemble that tours and commissions new works internationally.

In 2008, Cathal and his wife, flutist Dr. Sabrina Hu, created the Walled City Music Festival in Derry, N. Ireland, which has regenerated music with its innovative concerts and outreach. Now entering its 15th edition, WCM has become one of the most successful arts organizations in Europe, with past Artists such as the Kronos Quartet, the Bang on a Can All-Stars, Ulster Orchestra, and the Labeque Sisters. In 2019, they introduced a new annual WCM International Piano Festival and Competition, which has attracted hundreds of students from more than 20 countries.

Dr. Breslin moved to the U.S. as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Michigan, where he received a Doctoral Degree studying with Arthur Greene. His earlier studies were at the Real Conservatorio Superior in Madrid with Joaquín Soriano, RNCM in Manchester with Kathryn Stott, Benjamin Frith and Alexander Melnikov, RCM in London with John Barstow.  He is currently an Associate Professor of Piano at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, and his students have won many prizes in international and national piano competitions. He was recently awarded a place in the listing Marquis Who’s Who of America.

Teaching

Cathal is dedicated to teaching and to the development of the next generation of pianists, through his daily teaching at Arizona State University and through initiatives for young musicians such as the WCM International Piano Festival and Competition. He is an Associate Professor of Piano at the Arizona State University School of Music, Dance and Theatre in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.  
 
In addition to his position as Professor, he has taught master classes and lectured at prestigious Universities and Conservatories in the U.S., Canada, China, Korea, Hong Kong, Portugal, Bulgaria, Spain, U.K. and Ireland.

He is very active as an online teacher and he is an ambassador for online teaching technology. Recently, he initiated the first historic four-way connection using Yamaha Disklavier pianos in 4 different cities at the same time, a project that was featured on PBS News.