BBC Radio 3 Album of the Week!
11 November 2024: African Pianism SOMM Recordings is a BBC Radio 3 Essential Classics Album of the Week! Tune in (click on image) around the 2:58:45 mark to hear the spotlight.
BBC Music Magazine Award 2024
The Resonus Classics recording of Errollyn Wallen’s Piano Concerto with BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by John Andrews with soloist Rebeca Omordia has been awarded awarded the ‘Premiere Award’ at the 2024 BBC Music Magazine Awards.
Click on image to read more about it.
Heritage
Rebeca talks about her heritage and how this has influenced her repertoire choices and career. Click image to read post.
Out Now! African Art Song
A continuation of Rebeca’s exploration of the African repertoire on SOMM Records label with soprano Omo Bello and percussionist Richard Olatunde Baker on this exquisite programme of songs from Africa and the African Diaspora.
Review: African Art Song
“Omordia’s inventive programme celebrates both the heritage and future of African art song … This is is altogether an appealing album, skilfully programmed and performed throughout with grace and character”. Kate Wakeling, BBC Music Magazine
Click image to read full review.
African Pianism volume 2 Out Now!
SOMM Recordings is thrilled to announce African Pianism, Volume 2, a new instalment in a collection of piano music by African composers.
Out 19 July 2024! Find out more!
International Piano Review
“Carefully chosen, well played and recorded … Omordia’s compelling performance demonstrates a particularly fine ear for the voicing of Prices rich harmonic language … Anybody who wants to know more about art music ranging across an entire continent will find much of interest here: almost all of the pieces are receiving their first recordings, and Rebeca Omordia is their ideal advocate”.
Review of African Pianism vol. 2 SOMMCD 0688
The best classical albums of 2024 so far
African Pianism Vol. 2 is named to The Times' Best Classical Albums of 2024 So Far list!
“[Omordia] has recently been promoting music from composers of African ethnicity, opening our ears, hearts and minds to new and worthwhile repertoire… every track benefits from Omordia’s sparkling technique, rhythmic panache and deep sympathy with music that brings fresh air, a smile and sunshine into our lives, whatever the state of play in the world outside” —Geoff Brown, The Times
Mail & Guardian, South Africa
Charles Leonard interviews Rebeca Omordia ahead of the release of her new album African Pianism vol. 2
Click on image to read interview
Gramophone Magazine Editor’s Choice
African Pianism vol. 2 is Editor’s Choice in the Gramophone Magazine featuring a wonderful review by Jed Distler (full review at the link attached).
EPTA European Piano Teachers’ Association
Rebeca features in the Piano Journal 133 of the European Piano Teachers’ Association with an extensive interview by Anthony Williams about her career path and musical journey to date.
The Mail & Guardian, South Africa
“Ascensio” Single Release
Signum Records releases 'Ascensio' by Julie Cooper composed especially for Rebeca.
resonus classics: ERROLLYN WALLEN’S PIANO CONCERTO with BBC Concert Orchestra & john Andrews
24 March 2023:
Resonus Classics record label releases Errollyn Wallen's Piano Concerto with soloist Rebeca Omordia and BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by John Andrews.
Clip from recording sessions at Alexandra Palace in London by Fourchiefs Media Productions.
BBC Music Magazine
FEATURE: Rebeca talks to Amanda Holloway in the March 2023 issue of the BBC Music Magazine about her personal and musical journey to date. Full interview available here
African Pianism
Rebeca’s album African Pianism released on SOMM Records is a revelatory collection of music by seven African composers. Full details here
Rebeca performed African Pianism in a world tour consisting of performances in the UK at Wigmore Hall, Cheltenham Town Hall, Barbican Hall, Cambridge University, Ryedale and Leicester International Festivals; and abroad at Manarat Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi (UAE), at Sociedad Filarmonica de Gran Canaria (Spain), for the Philips Collection, Washington DC. and at Onassis Stegi in Athens, Greece.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
African Pianism in Athens
Rebeca performs her African Pianism solo programme at Onassis Stegi in Athens, Greece on the “Music Connects Onassis Stegi & Panteion University vol. 9” series and gives a lecture and masterclass to students from Panteion University.
African Pianism in Abu Dhabi
Pianist Rebeca Omordia discusses with Saeed Saeed about bringing African classical music to the world, ahead of her debut at Abu Dhabi Classics concert series.
The African Concert Series celebrates 5 years
The African Concert Series, now a part of the prestigious family of artists of its adopted home Wigmore Hall, celebrated the 5th series with a day of concerts at the Hall on 13 May 2023.
For 2023, the series founder, pianist Rebeca Omordia also announced a series of educational concerts at Forty Hall in Enfield.
Wigmore Hall’s The Score: Spring 2023
International Piano Magazine: Concerto Review
“vigour and colour … Omordia responding deftly to Wallen’s exuberant exploration of the piano”
Christopher Morley reviews in International Piano Magazine Rebeca’s premiere of Errollyn Wallen’s Piano Concerto with RBC Symphony Orchestra and Michael Seal.
Commissioned by Julian Lloyd Webber especially for Rebeca Omordia and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s Symphony Orchestra, Errollyn Wallen’s Piano Concerto will be premiered by Rebeca with Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s Symphony Orchestra and Michael Seal at Bradshaw Hall in Birmingham on 4 November 2022. Read press release here Rebeca will record Errollyn Wallen’s Piano Concerto with BBC Concert Orchestra and John Andrews for Resonus Classics record label in October 2022. The recording will be released early 2023.
The Guardian
Outstanding review in the Guardian by Stephen Pritchard of Rebeca’s recital launching the 2022 African Concert Series. Read full review here
Classical Music Magazine
Rebeca Omordia talks to Susan Nickalls from Classical Music Magazine in this in depth interview about her musical journey and the 2022 African Concert Series. Read interview here
GRAMOPHONE Magazine
Rebeca writes for the Gramophone about African Pianism. Read full article here
The Telegraph
“ … [Rebeca Omordia] played with ravishing subtlety of touch”
Review in The Telegraph of Rebeca Omordia’s performance with Gabriel Prokofiev of piano music accompanied by field recordings, part of Nonclassical’s ‘Listening to Place’ concert at the Barbican.
BBC World Service: The Cultural Frontline
Click on image to listen to Rebeca’s interview.
Arts Council England Award
For 2021, Rebeca was awarded a grant by the Arts Council England’s National Lottery Grants which allowed her to launch a brand new African Concert Series, with concerts streamed from the Africa Centre and October Gallery London. The streams reached 1 million people. The series was given recognition in 2022 by joining Wigmore Hall’s Family of Partners.
Díapason Magazine
9 April 2021: Rebeca’s work researching the African classical repertoire and curating the African Concert Series is featured in the French magazine Díapason. Read full article in French language here
The Guardian
Patron, Cellist Julian Lloyd Webber writes in The Guardian about the pioneering work of The African Concert Series.
Read full article here
Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
Rebeca has worked as a collaborator with the ABRSM to advise on selecting piano music by African classical composers for the ABRSM Piano Syllabus.
BBC WORLD NEWs: black lives matter
Rebeca writes: Finding our roots
Rebeca Omordia writes a guest post on Jessica Duchen’s blog on the mission of the On line edition of The African Concert Series.
BBC World Service: Focus on Africa
On this podcast, Rebeca discusses African Art Music, Cultural Heritage, Colonialism and Black Lives Matter.
ARTful NOTES
Doctor in Music
After a three-year programme at the National Music University of Bucharest, Romania, Rebeca is awarded Doctor in Music. Rebeca’s thesis was titled “Stylistic and interpretive landmarks in John Ireland’s piano music”.
Through her thesis as well as her concert activity in Romania during the 2016-2017 season that consisted of two national tours, Rebeca introduced the Romanian audience to the piano and chamber works by the British composer John Ireland.
Radio Romania Muzical
Special feature on Romanian National Radio/Cultural Channel. Click on the photo for link to the interview in Romanian language.
Rebeca writes for MUSICAL Opinion
Rebeca’s article “African classical music and The African Concert Series” is published in the October 2019 issue of Musical Opinion
The Times
June 2019: “Invidious commendations to Rebeca Omordia for her keyboard crispness, and to the violinist Tai Murray who led the ensemble with a manifestly"
Review for Rebeca’s concert with Chineke! Chamber Ensemble at the Wigmore Hall. Click on image to read full review
USA Tour
During 2019, Rebeca goes on a US mini-tour organised by the Romanian Cultural Institute that includes three solo piano recitals in New York and Washington D.C.
An overview of the tour by Romanian Broadcasting Corporation
Feature by Romanian TV, New York
Classical Music Magazine:
“Classical Music Game Changer”
Rebeca is featured as ARTIST OF THE MONTH in the May 2019 issue of Classical Music Magazine. You can read the full interview here
BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour
Nigeria Tour
Rebeca returns to Nigeria in 2019 for performances and Masterclasses in Lagos at Muson Centre and in Abuja for Romanian Embassy to nigeria under the auspices of Romanian Presidency to the Council of European Union.
Her performance in Abuja was attended by Nigeria president’s daughter Fatima and by Nigeria Vice-president’s wife, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo
The Guardian:
“Pianist Omordia wows in Lagos concert”
Click on image for full review of Rebeca’s concert in Lagos.
Rebec Omordia and Nigeria Vice-President’s wife Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo
Making history: THE AFRICAN CONCERT SERIES
O 13 February 2019, Rebeca Omordia launched the world’s first ever AFRICAN CONCERT SERIES at The October Gallery in London. The monthly concerts feature music by African classical composers performed by internationally established artists.
BBC Africa: “African Art music makes a comeback”
Sylvia Smith from BBC Africa interviews Rebeca about African classical music ahead of the start of the African Concert Series. Click link on the image to listen to the interview
Summary of the African Concert Series London 2019
Jury Service: International Piano Competition
Rebeca is a member of the jury in the 13th HRH Princess Lalla Meryem International Piano Competition in Rabat, Morocco.
Ekele: Piano Music by African Composers
Rebeca Omordia, explores the music of her Nigerian heritage on her new CD 'Ekele, Piano Music by African Composers' (Heritage Records 2018), featuring music of a number of composers from Nigeria, both living and recent, whose music has remained largely unknown in the West.
This is the first album of its kind ever released in the United Kingdom.
Promotional feature by Fourchiefs Media
BBC Music Magazine
Rebeca is interviewed by Michael Church for the BBC Music Magazine.
Rebeca writes for Classical Music Magazine
Rebeca's article on Nigerian classical music was published in the April issue of Classical Music Magazine
MusicWeb International - Review
„They (Nigerian composers) wrote in the Western tradition and in Omordia's hands their works are fluently played; she exudes considerable mastery”. Rob Barnett, MusicWeb International
Click on image for full review
Gramophone,
The Listening Room: Episode 31
James Jolly reviews Rebeca's African CD:"Fred Onovwerosuoke’s 24 Studies in African Rhythms, a catchy piece played with impressive technical command by Rebeca Omordia"
INTERVIEWS:
Cultura Commestibile Italia - Review
“At last, here is an African – or more precisely, Euro-African – artis openly claiming her cultural identity”
Review of EKELE CD by Alessandro Michelucci in the Italian Magazine Cultura Commestibile
THE GUARDIAN NIGERIA
"This is an event of great national significance"
Click on photo for full article
Rebeca Omordia and MUSON Symphony Orchestra
Rebeca Omordia and MUSON Symphony Orchestra
Channels Television Nigeria on Rebeca's concert with MUSON Symphony Orchestra
Channels Television Nigeria: Rebeca Omordia’s piano recital in Lagos
the english music festival
Rebeca performs a recital with cellist Joseph Spooner at the English Music Festival to celebrate the release of their new album featuring John Ireland’s Sonata for cello and piano on English Music Records.
'Legend' by John Ireland for piano and orchestra, Radio Hall Bucharest
Rebeca plays 'Legend' by John Ireland for piano and orchestra in a rare live broadcast from Radio Hall in Bucharest with Universitaria Symphony Orchestra conducted by Alexandru Ganea
British Music - Romania Tour
Pianist Rebeca Omordia and cellist Razvan Suma, resident soloist of the Romanian Broadcasting Corporation, embark on a tour of Romania with an all British music programme for cello and piano. Their performances include a live broadcast from the Radio Hall in Bucharest on.
Read press release here
Classical Events, Feature
"I was trained to be a soloist but Julian Lloyd Webber taught me to love chamber music. It is quite special to play with someone with whom you can share same understanding and love for the music"
Jonathan Heaton interviews Rebeca for the Classical Events April 2017 Newsletter
Read full interview here
British Music -
UK Tour
For pianist Rebeca Omordia, continuing her exploration of music by British composers has led to a UK tour with cellist, Răzvan Suma, resident cellist and director of the Romanian National Broadcasting Orchestras. Pianist Rebeca Omordia and cellist Răzvan Suma toured the UK in March 2017 showcasing Sonatas for cello and piano by John Ireland and George Enescu and a World Premiere performance, "Fast Music" by Robert Matthew-Walker.
Reviews
"Hearing these two young Romanian musicians give a recital almost entirely made up of English music provided a moving experience"
Chris Morley, Birmingham Post
"Enterprising, vivacious and practically flawless duo"
Michael Round, British Music Society
"John Ireland's masterpiece, the 'Sonata for Cello and Piano in G minor', ebbed and flowed with passion, sensitivity and assurity."
Jonathan Heaton, Classical Events
"Their realisation of the work’s (John Ireland's Cello Sonata) inner turbulence and despair were brought out in such a stark and compelling fashion as to convince one that it is a great masterpiece. No realisation I have ever heard, live or on record, has ever approached the level of this playing"
Robert Matthew-Walker’s Fast Music, here received its first performance... Fast and furious it turned out to be, full of intriguing rhythmic devices"
"Impressive duo... well-conceived and superbly executed programme"
Arcana FM
No. 3 in the UK’s Specialist Classical Music Charts
Rebeca's album with Mark Bebbington of the complete piano music of Ralph Vaughan Williams (SOMM Records 2017) reached Number 3 in the Specialist Classical Music Charts!
Radio One Nigeria
Rebeca is featured on Nigeria Radio One's 'Classical Journey' show presented by Nkanu Egbe.
Birmingham Post, 5* Review
"Rebeca Omordia is a generous ambassador for Nigeria's music ... this Romanian/Nigerian pianist is destined to go very far indeed." Chris Morley, Birmingham Post. Read full review here
Igbo Women Awards
Awards spotlight movie highlighting Rebeca's career path
Rebeca was shortlisted as a finalist in the 2016 Igbo Women Awards, London
HONORARY MEMBERSHIP AWARD
In 2015, Rebeca receives the HonBC Honorary Membership Award from Birmingham Conservatoire.
HonBC is awarded to past students who have worked in the music profession for a number of years and have made significant contributions to various branches of the music industry.
Artist of the Week
Rebeca is named Artist of the Week by Nigerian Classical Music Greats blog. Read the interview summarizing her career and achievements here
Live Broadcast from Radio Hall, Bucharest
Live broadcast of the Triple Concerto by Paul Constantinescu with Romanian National Broadcasting Orchestra at the Radio Hall in Bucharest on the occasion of Romania 's National Day
'CHOPIN AND AFRICAN RHYTHMS' AT BRADFIELD FESTIVAL
Rebeca performs at the 2015 Bradfield Festival a solo programme featuring works by Chopin and introduces the audience to piano music by Nigerian composers.
OUTSTANDING REVIEWS FOR REBECA'S PERFORMANCE AT THE 2015 BRITISH PIANO FESTIVAL
SEEN & HEARD INTERNATIONAL
BIRMINGHAM POST
CLASSICAL SOURCE
Seen & Heard International - Review
Legend for piano and orchestra by John Ireland with Ealing Symphony Orchestra conducted by John Gibbons
"... Her performance of the solo part in the "Legend" was technically brilliant, tonally beautiful, and highly sensitive to the music’s potent atmosphere..." Alan Sanders, Seen & Heard International
Classical Source - Review
Outstanding Review in Classical Source of John Ireland's Piano Sonata performed in a lunchtime recital at St Olave's Church, London.
"...Omordia’s command of the Sonata’s structure was complete, and her control of the many myriad changes of richly imaginative mood – from moments of rapt ecstasy in the slow movement, to those of commanding power in the first and last – was completely compelling."
Read full review here
For 2015, Rebeca performs piano works by British composer John Ireland including “Legend” for piano and orchestra.
UK Tour with Julian Lloyd Webber
October 2013: Rebeca sets on a UK tour with renowned British cellist Julian Lloyd Webber, that will include performances at Kings Place, London, the William Alwyn Festival, Lincoln Performing Arts Centre, Glemham Hall, Welwyn Garden City and a live broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
The programme will include sonatas for cello and piano by John Ireland, Frederic Delius and Sergei Rachmaninov
Read reviews of the concerts here
Rebeca performs a British - French piano recital at Leith Hill Place to include piano works by John Ireland, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Arthur Bliss and Ravel. Recital organised by RVW Society in association with National Trust.
DEUTSCHE GRAMOPHON RELEASE
Rebeca Omordia's arrangement of 'The Seal Lullaby' by Eric Whitacre for cello and harp is released on Catrin Finch's new CD 'Lullabies' on Deutsche Gramophon with Julian Lloyd Webber, cello and Catrin Finch, harp
PARTNERSHIP WITH NIGERIA HIGH COMMISSION IN LONDON
In 2013 Rebeca Omordia forms a partnership with Nigeria High Commission in London to promote Nigerian Classical Music to the UK audience.
The London Magazine: “Watch This Face”
Rebeca features in London Magazine's 'Watch this face' as one of the 2013 Rising Stars.
“I’ve been working with the brilliant young pianist, Rebeca Omordia. She is half Romanian, half Nigerian – and it’s a powerful combination! She has wonderful musicianship.” Julian Lloyd Webber
In January 2012, Rebeca began working as a duo partner with the world renowned cellist Julian Lloyd Webber. Their first performance together was a live broadcast on BBC Radio 3’s “In Tune” with music by British composers. During the season 2012-2013, they toured the UK performing at the Wigmore Hall, London, Highgrove for the Prince's Trust, Guildhall Portsmouth and Birmingham & Midland Institute.
In 2009, Rebeca wins “Delius Prize” at Birmingham Conservatoire, adjudicated by world renowned cellist Julian Lloyd Webber.
Review: "Delight in pianist willing to take risks"
Christopher Morley, Birmingham Post
During 2009, Rebeca performed Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto no 1 in a series of performances in England and Romania, including with Birmingham Conservatoire's Symphony Orchestra, Oltenia Symphony Orchestra and Arad State Philharmonic Orchestra in Romania.
Her Birmingham performance was described by Birmingham Post as "delight in pianist willing to take risks" .. read full review here
Fragment of Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto no 1 with Oltenia Phil