BBC Music Magazine Award
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.
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
In the March 2023 issue of the BBC Music Magazine, Rebeca talks to Amanda Holloway 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.
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.
Read more about it here.
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 Review
Outstanding review in the Guardian by Stephen Pritchard of Rebeca’s recital launching the 2022 African Concert Series. Read full review here
African Concert Series Day 2022, Wigmore Hall, London
A wonderful day devoted to celebrating music and musicians from Africa as well as those from Africa diaspora, inspired and created by pianist Rebeca Omordia.
Classical Music Magazine Feature
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 Review
“ … [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.
Concert Activity & Projects during the Pandemic 2020-2021
During Lockdown 2020, Rebeca performed online concerts, including a segment for Hear it Live! series by Horniman Museum London where she introduced The African Concert Series London to a wider audience; a performance of Errollyn Wallen’s Concerto Grosso with Chineke! Symphony Orchestra for the YouTube Festival; a solo recital for the Arthur Bliss Society’s AGM that featured works by British composers Sir Arthur Bliss and John Ireland; duo recording project for Meridian label with double bassist Leon Bosch.
Also, in 2020 Rebeca organised The African Concert Series’ first Online Edition - one week of daily, short performances streamed from Nigeria, USA, Cayman Islands, Hungary and the UK, featuring a rare appearance of acclaimed composer Fred Onovwerosuoke.
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 also given recognition by joining Wigmore Hall’s Family of Partners.
2021 also saw Rebeca performing online and live concerts, including a duo recital at Wigmore Hall with Leon Bosch and solo recitals for Barber Institute, Julian Lloyd Webber’s Online Series and the African Concert Series.
During the pandemic, Rebeca gave a series of online talks for various universities about her work of researching and promoting African classical repertoire, including for the Ethnomusicology/Musicology Department at the University of Georgia, USA, Trinity Laban Conservatoire, UK and Oxford Brookes University UK.
Covid-19 Fundraising Recital
May 2020: Fundraising event organised by RAFA (Romanian-American Freedom Alliance) and BIB (Bucharest Inside the Beltway) in support of VeDem Just Campaign raising funds to support Romanian Hospitals in the fight against COVID19, raising 10.000$ for the cause.
Julian Lloyd Webber' s online series
Díapason Magazine feature
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
31 March 2021: 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
For 2021, Rebeca was hired as a collaborator for the ABRSM to advise on selecting piano music by African classical composers for the next 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
12 December 2019
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, Review
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:
“A 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
“Pianist Omordia wows in Lagos concert”
REVIEW, The Guardian Nigeria
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 LONDON
O 13 February 2019, Rebeca Omordia launches the world’s first ever AFRICAN CONCERT SERIES LONDON starting 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
Overview of The African Concert Series London 2019
Summary of the African Concert Series London 2019
RECORDING PROJECT with South African double bass legend Leon Bosch
Rebeca Omordia & double bass virtuoso Leon Bosch at the end of their recording session, “The 21st Century British Double Bass” for Meridian Records
Leon Bosch is the foremost classical double bass player to come from South Africa. Growing up in apartheid South Africa he began studying the instrument at the University of Cape Town before finishing his studies in Manchester at the Royal Northern College of Music. He now performs and records widely as a soloist and chamber musician (notably with his ensemble I Musicanti). Concerto engagements in many parts of the world with the likes of conductors Pinchas Zukerman, Nicolas Kraemer, Nicolae Moldoveanu and Guido Johannes Rumstadt have been matched by collaborations with a long line of leading chamber music groups - among them the Lindsay, Belcea and Brodsky string quartets, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble, the Moscow Virtuosi and the Zukerman Chamber Players. Partnerships with solo performers have embraced such pianists as Peter Donohoe, Vladimir Ovchinikov, Mikhail Rudy and Maria João Pires.
2019 brings a series of recitals with Rebeca Omordia including a concert entitled “The South African Double Bass” at the African Concert Series in London and a recording “The 21st Century British Double Bass”, released on Meridian Records.
1-10 November 2018
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 OUT NOW!
Rebeca Omordia, explores the music of her Nigerian heritage on her new CD 'Ekele, Piano Music by African Composers', featuring music of a number of composers from Nigeria, both living and recent, whose music has remained largely unknown in the West. This collection showcases the works of Ayo Bankole, Fred Onovwerosuoke and Christian Onyeji, and is designed to bring this music to a wider audience. This is the first album of its kind ever released in the United Kingdom.
Promotional feature by Fourchiefs Media
BBC Music Magazine Interview with Michael Church
Rebeca writes for Classical Music Magazine
Rebeca's article on Nigerian classical music was published in the April issue of Classical Music Magazine
Review in MusicWeb International
„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
“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
7 october 2017
the english music festival
Rebeca will perform a recital with cellist Joseph Spooner at the English Music Autumn Festival to celebrate the release of their new CD on English Music Records.
https://www.englishmusicfestival.org.uk/forthcoming-events.html
'Legend' by John Ireland
'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
ROMANIA TOUR
Pianist Rebeca Omordia and cellist Razvan Suma will be touring Romania in May 2017 with an all British music programme featuring John Ireland's Cello Sonata. Their performances will include a live broadcast from the Radio Hall in Bucharest on 17th May.
Read press release here
1 april 2017
classical events APRIL 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 in the Classical Events' April feature
Read full interview here
UK TOUR, 2017
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 will be touring the UK in March 2017 to showcase Sonatas for cello and piano by John Ireland and George Enescu and a World Premiere performance, "Fast Music" by Robert Matthew-Walke
Promotional Igbo feature by Fourchiefs Media for Igbo Amaka BEN TV
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
3 MARCH 2017
No. 3 in the Classical Charts!
Rebeca's album with Mark Bebbington of the complete piano music of Vaughan Williams is Number 3 in the Classical Music Charts!
12 february 2017
nigeria radio one's'Classical Journey' Episode 87
Rebeca is featured on Nigeria Radio One's 'Classical Journey' show with Nkanu Egbe where she discusses about her Vaughan Williams CD with Mark Bebbington and her upcoming UK tour with cellist Razvan Suma. The programme also features music from her latest CD.
20 October 2016
5***** Review in Birmingham Post
"Rebeca Omordia is a generous ambassador for Nigeria's music ... this Romanian/Nigerian pianist is destined to go very far indeed." Chris Morely, Birmingham Post
Rebeca receives 5* Review in Birmingham Post for her 14th October piano recital at Birmingham and Midland Institute. Read full review here
28 AUGUST 2016
2016 Igbo Women Awards
Awards spotlight movie highlighting Rebeca's career path
Rebeca was shortlisted as a finalist in the 2016 Igbo Women Awards, London
“THE HONORARY MEMBERSHIP” AWARD
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.
Prize Ceremony, Birmingham Conservatoire
Rebeca Omordia and world renowned cellist Julian Lloyd Webber, Principal of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
NIGERIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC GREATS - ARTIST OF THE WEEK
Rebeca was nominated Artist of the Week by Nigerian Classical Music Greats blog. Read the interview summarizing her career and achievements here
27 november 2015
LIVE BROADCAST from radio hall in bucharest ON ROMANIA 'S NATIONAL DAY
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.
Razvan Suma, Rebeca Omordia and Raphael Butaru
Soloists: Rafael Butaru, violin, Răzvan Suma, cello , Rebeca Omordia, piano
Conductor: Nicolae Moldoveanu
http://www.orchestreradio.ro/nicolae_moldoveanu_razvan_s
New collaboration with răzvan Suma, resident cellist of Romanian National Broadcasting Orchestras
recital at St James's Church, Piccadilly, London
The recital is sponsored by the John Ireland Trust in association with Romanian Cultural Institute in London
Răzvan Suma is one of the most acclaimed Romanian cellists, currently the resident cellist and director of Romanian National Broadcasting Orchestras. Since 2011 he has been touring Romania and Europe every year with 'Vă place…?' ('Do you like…?'/ 'Aimez-vous...?') project. The first edition of the tour - 'Aimez-vous Bach?' - was conceived around J.S. Bach' s Six Cello Suites and comprised of ten concerts.
Razvan received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the National Music University in Bucharest and studied at Longy School of Music in Cambrige, Massachusets on the Artist Diploma Program. He attended masterclasses with great cellists such as Arto Noras, Frans Helmerson, Herre Jan Stegenga, Miklos Pereny, Marin Cazacu and Radu Aldulescu. He performed as a soloist with over 30 orchestras throughout Europe and alongside very important musicians such as Maxim Vengerov, Alexander Sitkovetski, Borromeo Quartet, Misha Katz, Jin Wang, Cristian Mandeal and Marin Cazacu.
Răzvan is playing on a Charles Adolph Maucotell cello, built in Paris in 1849, the former instrument of the great cellist Pierre Fournier.
'CHOPIN AND AFRICAN RHYTHMS' AT BRADFIELD FESTIVAL
Rebeca performs at the 2015 Bradfield Festival with saxophonist Amy Dickson a 'Chopin and African Rhythms' programme which includes a solo recital of piano works by Nigerian composers and works for classical saxophone and piano.
17 JUNE 2015
BRITISH PIANO FESTIVAL BIRMINGHAM
OUTSTANDING REVIEWS FOR REBECA'S PERFORMANCE AT THE BRITISH PIANO FESTIVAL IN BIRMINGHAM:
SEEN & HEARD INTERNATIONAL
BIRMINGHAM POST
CLASSICAL SOURCE
OUTSTANDING REVIEWS FOR THE JOHN IRELAND TOUR
20TH JULY 2015
REVIEW OF JOHN IRELAND'S 'LEGEND' WITH ESO
"... Her performance of the solo part in the "Legend" was technically brilliant, tonally beautiful, and highly sensitive to the music’s potent atmosphere..." Read full review here
15th april 2015 sir arthur bliss society's newsletter
Rebeca features on the cover of Arthur Bliss Society Spring Newsletter. Her 17th March piano recital at Cheltenham Town Hall is also reviewed in the Society's Spring Newsletter.
Read full review here
15TH DECEMBER 2014
STANDING OVATION AT 41ST 'CRAIOVA MUZICALA' INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL, ROMANIA
22nd November 2014 Classical source
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
18th July 2015
John Ireland's 'Legend' with Ealing Symphony Orchestra, maestro John Gibbons
ROMANIAN PREMIERE OF JOHN IRELAND'S SONATA FOR CELLO & PIANO IN G MINOR
'42nd 'Craiova Muzicala' International Festival, Oltenia Philharmonic Hall, Romania
Duo recital with cellist Razvan Suma, resident cellist of Romanian Broadcasting Orchestras
BBC RADIO 3 Live from southbank centre
Rebeca performs solo and with Julian & Jiaxin Lloyd Webber on BBC Radio 3 live from Southbank Centre.
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
14 SEPTEMBER 2013
PIANO RECITAL AT LEITH HILL PLACE
Rebeca will perform 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
JULY 2013
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
13 may 2013
Review, Duo recital with Julian Lloyd Webber at Guildhall, Portsmouth
"Cellist Julian Lloyd Webber and pianist Rebeca Omordia played with thrilling technique and artistry."
Read full review here
FEBRUARY 2013
PARTNERSHIP WITH NIGERIA HIGH COMMISSION IN LONDON
Rebeca Omordia forms a partnership with Nigeria High Commission in London to promote Nigerian Classical Music to the UK audience.
27 february 2013
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
UK TOUR WITH JULIAN LLOYD WEBBER
Highgrove for the Prince's Trust - Julian Lloyd Webber, Rebeca Omordia, Katie Derham and Range Rover representatives
During the season 2012-2013, Rebeca Omordia joins world renowned cellist Julian Lloyd Webber on a UK tour that will include performances at the Wigmore Hall, London, Highgrove for the Prince's Trust, London Chelsea Arts Club and Birmingham & Midland Institute
In January 2012, Rebeca begins 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” programme music by British composers, John Ireland and Frederic Delius.
In 2009, Rebeca wins “Delius Prize” at Birmingham Conservatoire, adjudicated by world renowned cellist Julian Lloyd Webber.
Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto no 1 tour
Fragment of Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto no 1 with Oltenia Phil
During 2009, Rebeca performs Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto no 1 in a series of performances 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