Seán Morgan-Rooney

Seán Morgan-Rooney is an Irish pianist and composer who effortlessly bridges classical music and contemporary influences. After studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, he won the Charles J. Brennan Prize as the highest-placed Irish competitor at the Dublin International Piano Competition in 2015. As a soloist, Seán has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, the Ulster Orchestra and Camerata Ireland, and has appeared in the United States, Canada, Japan and the Netherlands’ leading concert halls. Alongside his international performing career, he is deeply committed to contemporary music and has premiered numerous new works. In 2026, he released his first classical-electronic album, “A Few Reflect the Heart,” combining his own electronic compositions with works by Ravel, Stravinsky, Eötvös and Berio.

In this special live performance of the album, Seán brings together music for piano, electronics and film. Inspired by a personal artistic response to Maurice Ravel’s piano suite Miroirs, he interweaves his own compositions with original films created in collaboration with cinematographer Boris Peters. Music and film enter into a dialogue, exploring the significance of nature in the emotional worlds of both Ravel and Morgan-Rooney. At the same time, the performance pays tribute to the rural heritage of the pianist’s family. At home, Seán plays on a 1975 Viennese Bösendorfer, generously on loan to him from The Netherlands Musical Instrument Foundation.

After the concert

A lunchtime concert is, of course, not complete without a delicious lunch. After the concert, enjoy a flavorful homemade soup and freshly baked bread in the Stadsfoyer. You can add this directly to your ticket!

Program

Morgan-Rooney – Overture
Ravel – Miroirs: I. Noctuelles
Ravel – Miroirs: II. Oiseaux tristes
Morgan-Rooney – Pneumaplume
Ravel – Miroirs: III. Une barque sur l’océan
Morgan-Rooney – Wavephile
Ravel – Miroirs: IV. Alborada del gracioso
Morgan-Rooney – Ignis beat
Ravel – Miroirs: V. La vallée des cloches
Morgan-Rooney – Earth – tether – ether