Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Vocal

 

Ann Morfee was born on May 12, 1985, in London, England. She grew up in a family of musicians, with her mother being a pianist and her father a cellist. From a young age, Ann showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Her parents recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Ann attended the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she studied piano under the tutelage of renowned pianist, John Lill. During her time at the academy, Ann won several awards and competitions, including the prestigious Royal Academy of Music Piano Prize. She also had the opportunity to perform in some of the most renowned concert halls in the world, including the Royal Albert Hall and the Wigmore Hall. After graduating from the academy, Ann began her professional career as a concert pianist. She quickly gained a reputation for her technical skill and musicality, and was soon in demand as a soloist and chamber musician. She performed with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. One of the highlights of Ann's career was her performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall. The performance was hailed as a triumph, with critics praising Ann's "dazzling technique" and "sensitive interpretation." The concert was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and was later released on CD. Ann's repertoire was wide-ranging, encompassing works by composers from Bach to Bartok. She was particularly noted for her performances of the works of Chopin, and was often compared to the great Chopin interpreters of the past. Her recording of Chopin's complete Nocturnes was widely praised, with Gramophone magazine calling it "a landmark recording." In addition to her solo career, Ann was also a sought-after chamber musician. She performed regularly with some of the world's leading string players, including violinist Maxim Vengerov and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. She was also a member of the Morfee Trio, which she formed with her brother, cellist James Morfee, and violinist Sarah Chang. Ann's talent and hard work were recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout her career. She was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 2010 for her services to music, and was made a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music in 2015. She also received the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2012, which is awarded annually to outstanding young musicians. Tragically, Ann's career was cut short when she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2017. Despite undergoing treatment, she continued to perform whenever she was able, and her concerts were always greeted with standing ovations. She passed away on June 15, 2018, at the age of 33. Ann Morfee was a truly exceptional musician, whose talent and dedication to her craft inspired countless people around the world. Her legacy lives on through her recordings and the memories of those who were fortunate enough to hear her perform live.

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