Dr. Cathal Breslin has been praised worldwide as one of the most exciting pianists of his generation, with critical acclaim including “superb intensity and passion” (Cleveland Plain Dealer, Ohio), “energized and energizing” (Belfast Telegraph, Northern Ireland), and “noble poetry and perfumed pianissimo” (The Independent, London). Born in Derry, Northern Ireland, he has performed solo piano recitals in major concert halls across Europe, North and South America, and Asia, including Carnegie Hall in New York, Wigmore Hall in London, Kumho Art Hall in Seoul, and the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing.
Recent concerto performances have included Grieg, Rachmaninov No.2 and Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini, Tchaikovsky No.1, Prokofiev No.1, 2 and 3, Beethoven No.2, 3 and 4, several Mozart concertos, Takemitsu’s Riverrun, Poulenc Double Concerto, and Liszt Tottentanz, with orchestras such as the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, BBC Ulster Orchestra, Greensboro Symphony NC, Jackson Symphony TN, Turin Philharmonic Italy, Memphis Symphony TN, RTÉ Concert Orchestra of Ireland, Arizona MusicFest Orchestra, West Valley Symphony AZ, among others.
Dr. Breslin has performed and toured extensively in duo recitals with flutist Sir James Galway, violinists Augustin Dumay, Anne Akiko Meyers, Dmitry Sitkovetsky, Kirill Troussov, Kristine Balanas; cellists Jan Vogler, Jeffrey Zeigler, Raphael Wallfisch; pianists Awadagin Pratt and Barry Douglas, sopranos Measha Brueggergosman and Ailish Tynan, and in chamber music settings with the Houston Symphony Winds and the Brodsky Quartet. He is also a founding member of Trio Festivale, a flute-cello-piano ensemble that tours internationally and commissions new works.
Cathal was awarded the Bronze Medal at the Viotti International Piano Competition in Vercelli (Milan), Italy, one of the founding members of the World Federation of International Music Competitions. Other international competition successes have included top prizes in “Carlet” in Valencia, “Grand Konzerteum” in Athens, and “Iowa” in the U.S. He has broadcast regularly for BBC and RTE Radio, RTVE Spain, and has performed on Japanese, Chinese, Spanish and Irish Television many times.
In 2008, Dr. Breslin and his wife, American flutist Dr. Sabrina Hu, co-founded the Walled City Music Festival in Ireland, which has revitalized the country’s cultural landscape through innovative concerts and impactful community engagement. Walled City Music has grown into one of the most successful arts organizations and festivals in Europe, hosting artists such as the Kronos Quartet, Bang on a Can All-Stars, Ulster Orchestra, and pianists including the Labèque Sisters and Jeremy Denk. In 2019, they launched the annual WCM International Academy, which has since attracted prestigious faculty and hundreds of students from over 20 countries.
Dr. Breslin initially moved to the U.S. as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Michigan, where he earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree studying with Arthur Greene. His earlier studies were at the Real Conservatorio Superior in Madrid with Joaquín Soriano; the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester with Kathryn Stott, Benjamin Frith, and Alexander Melnikov; and the Royal College of Music in London with John Barstow. He is currently Associate Professor of Piano at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, where his students have won numerous prizes in both national and international piano competitions. He continues to perform and teach masterclasses regularly throughout Europe, North and South America, and Asia.