Brian O'Connor was born on May 15, 1985, in New York City. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a classical pianist and his mother a violinist. From a young age, O'Connor showed a natural talent for music and began playing the piano at the age of four. O'Connor's parents recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. He began taking piano lessons with his father and quickly progressed, winning his first competition at the age of six. O'Connor continued to study with his father until he was accepted into the Juilliard School's Pre-College Division at the age of 12. At Juilliard, O'Connor studied with renowned pianist Yoheved Kaplinsky. He quickly established himself as a prodigious talent, winning numerous competitions and awards. In 2001, he won the Juilliard Pre-College Concerto Competition, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Juilliard Pre-College Symphony Orchestra. After graduating from Juilliard, O'Connor attended the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied with pianist Gary Graffman. While at Curtis, O'Connor continued to win competitions and awards, including the 2006 Philadelphia Orchestra Greenfield Competition and the 2007 Gilmore Young Artist Award. O'Connor's career took off after he won the 2008 International Piano Competition in Leeds, England. The competition, which is one of the most prestigious in the world, had not been won by an American pianist in over 20 years. O'Connor's performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Hallé Orchestra under the baton of Mark Elder was hailed as a triumph. Following his victory in Leeds, O'Connor began to receive invitations to perform with major orchestras around the world. He made his debut with the New York Philharmonic in 2009, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 under the baton of Alan Gilbert. He also performed with the London Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, among others. O'Connor's repertoire is wide-ranging, encompassing works by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, and many others. He is known for his technical virtuosity and his ability to bring out the emotional depth of the music he plays. In addition to his performances as a soloist, O'Connor is also an avid chamber musician. He has collaborated with many of the world's leading musicians, including violinist Joshua Bell, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and pianist Emanuel Ax. O'Connor has recorded extensively, with his recordings receiving critical acclaim. His recording of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Bernard Haitink was named one of the best classical recordings of 2012 by The New York Times. In recognition of his achievements, O'Connor has received numerous awards and honors. In addition to the Gilmore Young Artist Award, he has been awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant, the Arthur Rubinstein Prize, and the Andrew Wolf Chamber Music Award. Despite his success, O'Connor remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to practice for several hours a day and is always seeking to improve his playing. He is also committed to sharing his love of music with others, and frequently gives masterclasses and lectures to young musicians. In conclusion, Brian O'Connor is one of the most talented and accomplished classical pianists of his generation.

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