A pianist, a teacher and former director of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, John O’Conor is ‘one of the greatest pianists of our time.’
O’Conor has given recitals in many of the world’s most famous halls. He has performed in Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and all over the world.
O’Conor has made more than 20 recordings for the Telarc label including the complete Beethoven Piona sonatas and the complete Beethoven Bagatelles.
A co-founder of the Dublin International Piano Competition, he is Artistic Director and Chairman of the Jury.
For his services to music O’Conor has been awarded Honorary Doctorates by the National University of Ireland, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin Institute of Technology and Shenandoah University. He has also been given an Honorary Fellowship by the Royal Irish Academy of Music. He has been decorated with the title “Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres” by the French Government, has been awarded the “Ehrenkreuz für Wissenschaft und Kunst” by the Austrian Government and has also been decorated by the Italian and Polish governments. In 2011 he was awarded the “Order of the Rising Sun” by the Emperor of Japan.
O’Conor currently holds the position of Professor of Piano and Distinguished Visiting Artist at Shenandoah Conservatory (near Washington, D.C.),