Biography of Musica Bella Orchestra guest Gregory Harrington

Born in Dublin, Ireland, violinist Gregory Harrington has performed extensively as recitalist and soloist with orchestras around the world. In July 2000, he made his London debut in the Purcell Room of the Royal Festival Hall to critical acclaim. For his performance, Strad magazine said: “Harrington performed with aching tenderness, a profound sense of melancholy touching every phrase.” As a prizewinner of the Artists International Competition in New York in February 2003, Mr. Harrington made a successful debut, also to critical acclaim, at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.       He has toured and performed as soloist in venues throughout the US and Europe such as Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Town Hall, Merkin Hall, Ellis Island, and the Tischman Auditorium in New York; Symphony Hall in Boston; the Armstrong Theatre, Los Angeles; Benaroya Hall, Seattle; The California Music Festival, Oakland; South Bank Center, London; Palacio Galaveis, Lisbon; The Hugh Lane Gallery, the West Cork Chamber Music Festival and The National Concert Hall, Dublin. For his debut in the National Concert Hall, Dublin, the Irish Times commented: “the soloist Gregory Harrington was impressive. This young Dublin born violinist showed natural artistry and an ability to dazzle.” The LaJolla Light commented: “Harrington delivered a virtuoso performance” for his debut with the San Diego Symphony under Thomas Wilkins. Future engagements include performances and recitals marking the release of his debut CD Reflections in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. He has appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America and QVC television in the US and has been featured artist on The Ryan Tubridy Show on RTE 1, the Lyric Collection on Lyric FM in Ireland, and WNYC in New York.       As soloist, he has performed with the San Diego Symphony, RTE Concert Orchestra, Rhode Island Philharmonic, Naples Philharmonic, the Orquesta Sinfonica del IPN, Mexico; the Irish Concert Orchestra, The Musica Bella Orchestra of New York, and the Dublin Symphony Orchestra under the batons of Thomas Wilkins, Alan Tongue, Francisco Noya, Hector Reyes Bonilla, Susan Haig, and Phillip Gaskill. He has collaborated with members of the renowned Emerson, Manhattan, and Lark String Quartets, the acclaimed Irish tenor Ronan Tynan, and the celebrated jazz bassist John Patitucci.       Gregory Harrington’s dedication to 20th century and contemporary music is highlighted through close contacts with several eminent composers, including American composer Steve Gerber and Scottish composer James MacMillan. He is committed to exploring the works of lesser-known composers and has given premieres of concerti and recital works in London, Dublin, Mexico, and New York, including the Mexican premiere of Jorge Sosa’s concerto for violin and orchestra and Capricho for solo violin.       He received a bachelor’s degree in International Commerce and Spanish literature from University College Dublin and a performance diploma in music from the Guildhall School of Music, London and the Mannes College of Music in New York. He is also a graduate of the Royal Irish Academy of Music. His principal teachers have been Kevin Kiely, Sally Thomas, and the late Erick Friedman. A recipient of Awards from the Arts Council and the Department of Cultural Affairs in Ireland, his studies in the US were supported by the IAWS group and Arnotts plc—two prominent Irish companies. A committed educator, Mr. Harrington devotes his time to teaching in New York and fundraising in aid of cancer research. He served on the faculty of Concordia Conservatory and is currently a faculty member of the Spence School and Nightingale-Bamford School in Manhattan.       With Musica Bella, Mr. Harrington has played the Bach a-minor Violin Concerto in December 2004, and Vivaldi’s Winter and the Vitali Ciaccona in January 2007. Musica Bella concerts: December 4, 2004; December 5, 2004; January 20, 2007; January 21, 2007 This bio last updated November 30, 2006