Patrick Rafter is recognised and celebrated as one of Ireland's foremost classical musicians, acclaimed for his mastery of the violin and extraordinary musicianship. Rafter has taken to the stage as a soloist, director, conductor, and recitalist across Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Asia. Garnering over a hundred prestigious awards, including the National Concert Hall Young Musician of the Year (Ireland), Clandeboye Festival Young Musician of the Year (UK), Valiant Violin Competition (Switzerland), London Performing Arts Competition (2017), RDS Music Bursary (Ireland), Dublin Feis Ceoil Conducting Competition (2022), and the Royal Academy of Music Sir Curtis Price Award (UK), Patrick's musical journey is a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication to his craft.
Patrick is celebrated for his collaborations with the foremost masters in today's musical landscape, sharing the stage as a soloist with iconic performers like Maxim Vengerov, Schlomo Mintz, Barry Douglas, and John O'Conor. His repertoire extends to the forefront of contemporary composition, working closely with esteemed composers such as Arvo Pärt. Additionally, Patrick's performances under the baton of leading conductors like Semyon Bychkov, Marin Alsop, Sir Mark Elder, and Gianandrea Noseda underscore his versatility and command of the musical craft at the highest level.
As a violinist, Patrick has performed as a soloist with many of the world's notable orchestras and ensembles including Prague Philharmonia, Mannheim Soloists, National Symphony Orchestra Ireland, RTE Concert Orchestra, Kyiv Soloists, and Camerata Ireland. He has performed in some of the most prestigious concert halls such as the National Concert Hall Ireland, Royal Albert Hall London, Berlin Konzerthaus, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, and Seoul Arts Centre. Renowned for his commanding presence on the conductor's podium, Patrick Rafter has garnered acclaim for his dynamic musical direction. In 2022, he conducted the RTE Concert Orchestra, being awarded 1st prize of the Dublin Feis Ceoil in conducting. The upcoming season sees Patrick perform with illustrious ensembles such as the London Mozart Players, RTE Concert Orchestra, Menuhin Soloists, Bad Nauheim Symphony Orchestra among others. A protege of the legendary violinist, Maxim Vengerov, Patrick was born into a musical family in Kilkenny, Ireland. His father, Paddy, is a tenor and his mother, Maura, is a pianist. His rise as a prodigious talent was swiftly acknowledged, earning him a prestigious full scholarship to the Royal Irish Academy of Music, where he studied under the Eyal Kless and Fionnuala Hunt.
In 2011, Patrick's trajectory ascended further as he secured a scholarship to the illustrious Royal Academy of Music in London, graduating summa cum laude and amassing multiple accolades throughout his tenure. The pinnacle of Patrick's musical studies arrived in 2015, as he was personally selected by Maxim Vengerov for intensive study at the revered International Menuhin Music Academy in Switzerland, further refining his artistry under the maestro's mentorship.
Patrick is a lecturer at Cork School of Music, following a tenure as a guest lecturer at the Geneva Conservatory of Music and a visiting professorship at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin. Patrick's presence extends beyond the concert hall, with numerous appearances on esteemed radio and television platforms such as BBC 1 and 2 (U.K.), RTE (Ireland), TG4 (Ireland), Kanal 5 TV (Macedonia), RAI (Italy), and Kol Hamusica (Israel). In 2023, Patrick undertook the ambitious initiative of founding the Marble City Music Festival in Kilkenny, Ireland. Assuming the role of Artistic Director, his mission is to curate an unparalleled classical music experience in his home city, showcasing world-class performers amidst an ambiance of warmth and hospitality at each concert. Patrick boasts a longstanding collaboration with esteemed Irish pianist, Fiachra Garvey, culminating in the highly anticipated release of their inaugural recording in Autumn 2024 presented under the prestigious Rubicon Classics label. Patrick performs on a Jean Baptiste Vuillaume violin, made in Paris in 1842 and a 1925 Eugene Sartory bow, both generously sponsored by the Music Network Capital Scheme and private sponsors. Follow Patrick on social media or visit www.patrickrafter.com for more information and news.
