World renowned pianist and Gold Medalist of the 1986 Tchaikovsky International Piano competition, Irish pianist Barry Douglas will perform the final concert in the 2017-2018 season of the International Piano Series (IPS) at the College of Charleston School of the Arts. Hailed for his extreme musicality, melting lyricism and powerful playing, Douglas brings with him an expansive repertoire and the “ability to put his own artistry totally at the service of the composer.” His program will include an impressive body of repertoire featuring works by Johannes Brahms, Franz Schubert and Modest Mussorgsky.

Paul Sánchez, Artistic Director of the IPS, says, “It is an honor to host Barry Douglas on the International Piano Series. Mr. Douglas is a legendary musician, and is a hero for the generation of pianists who have grown up impacted by his artistry.”

As Artistic Director of Camerata Ireland and the Clandeboye Festival, Douglas continues to celebrate his Irish heritage whilst also maintaining a busy international touring schedule. Douglas opened the 2017-2018 season performing Tchaikovsky with the Halle Orchestra, after which he began new collaborations with both the Endellion String Quartet and the Borodin Quartet. He tours in recital in the United Kingdom and the United States and performs with orchestras across the globe from Canada to Europe to Russia. Last season, Douglas performed two full Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto cycles in Dublin and Belfast, gave performances of Tchaikovsky’s first Piano Concerto with the London Symphony Orchestra, and opened the St. Petersburg Philharmonic’s concert season — all marking the 30^th anniversary of his Tchaikovsky International Competition win. He also appeared at Verbier in July 2017.

Douglas is an exclusive Chandos recording artist. He recently completed a recording of the full works for solo piano of Brahms, the six albums of which have received much critical praise.  International Record Review wrote that “this is indeed Brahms playing of the utmost integrity and authority… this cycle looks set to become a benchmark version.” His current recording projects focus on the solo piano works of Schubert and Tchaikovsky. Also with Chandos, Douglas is exploring Irish folk music through his own arrangements, working with ancient melodies through to pieces by contemporary song writers. Celtic Reflections (2014) was followed last season by Celtic Airs.

In 1999, Douglas founded the chamber orchestra Camerata Ireland to celebrate and nurture the very best of young musicians from both Northern and the Republic of Ireland. In addition to striving for musical excellence, one of the orchestra’s aims is to further the peace process in Ireland by promoting dialogue and collaboration through its musical education programs. Douglas regularly tours with Camerata Ireland throughout the world and visits the United States and South America this season. Highlights of past seasons were Camerata Ireland’s debut at the BBC Proms in London and a world premiere of a new cantata commissioned by The Honourable The Irish Society, “At Sixes and Sevens,” alongside the London Symphony Orchestra to celebrate Derry-Londonderry becoming City of Culture 2013.

Douglas received the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2002 New Year’s Honours List for services to music.

More information about Douglas is available at http://www.barrydouglas.com/.

The concert will take place on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at 7:30 p.m., in the Sottile Theatre, 44 George St. General admission is $20 and free for any student and College of Charleston faculty/staff. Tickets may be purchased online at go.cofc.edu/ips, at the door, by emailing concerts@cofc.edu, or by calling (843) 953-6315.

Douglas also will offer a master class, free and open to the public on Wednesday, March 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the Cato Center for the Arts Room 234. Students from the Music Department at the College of Charleston will perform.

Housed within the College of Charleston School of the Arts, the International Piano Series is Charleston’s longest running, year-round program with a pure focus on piano. Consistent with the School’s mission, IPS plays a distinctive role in the lives of students and the community by implementing excellence in the arts and education and cultivating piano music appreciation.