20 June 2011
Embassy of Ireland Press Release

Irish Pianist decorated by the Government of Japan

The Irish Ambassador to Japan, Mr. John Neary, warmly welcomed the announcement that Irish concert pianist John O’Conor has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun and Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. The award was decided by the Government of Japan on 17 June.
Mr O’Conor is one of Ireland’s most eminent musicians, a distinguished concert pianist with a collection of critically acclaimed recordings including most notably Beethoven and John Field, the 19th Century Irish composer and inventor of the nocturne.
He is currently Artist in Residence and Professor of Piano at the Shenandoah Conservatory at Shenandoah University, USA and a professor at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and has recently been appointed Visiting Professor of Piano at the Showa University of Music in Kawasaki, Japan. He is also the Artistic Director of the 9th Dublin International Piano Competition which will take place in Dublin in May 2012.

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Irish Pianist John O’Conor (second from left) who was a recipient the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays and Neck Ribbon, on 18 June, at a reception at the residence of Ambassador of Ireland, John Neary (Centre) with staff of the Showa University of Music, Kawasaki where Mr O’Conor  is the Visiting Professor of Piano. Left to Right, Mr Shimoyakawa, Ms Eguchi (Piano teacher) and Ms Takaoka.