ICO Season Brochure 2014/2015

IRISHCHAMBERORCHESTRA

SEASON 2014/2015

w w w. i r i s h c h a m b e r o r c h e s t r a . c o m

The Irish Chamber Orchestra in concert as part of Culture Connects, the International Culture Programme celebrating Ireland’s EU Presidency in Berlin on Monday, January, 21st, 2013

Culture Ireland promotes Irish arts worldwide, creating and supporting opportunities for Irish artists and companies to present and promote their work at strategic international festivals and venues.

Culture Ireland supports the Irish Chamber Orchestra’s international touring. www.cultureireland.ie

The Irish Chamber Orchestra in concert at the Heidelberger Frühling, April 2014.

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The Irish Chamber Orchestra is Ireland’s most lauded chamber ensemble, renowned for its inspirational programming, vibrant virtuosity and unrivalled diversity. Its unique programming spans popular masterworks, innovative new works alongside dance and theatrical collaborations.

Following another great season last year both at home and abroad, we continue to work with the extraordinary Hungarian conductor Gábor Takács-Nagy (Principal Artistic Partner) and the multi-talented clarinettist and composer Jörg Widmann (Principal Guest Conductor/Artistic Partner), in presenting a combined vision with two very distinctive styles of programming.

Gábor Takács-Nagy closes out his symphonic journey with Haydn focusing on his London period. Jörg Widmann continues to enthral audiences with the

magic of Mendelssohn alongside some of his own most innovative compositions. The Irish Chamber Orchestra and Stuttgarter Kammerorchester have jointly commissioned a world premiere of Widmann’s Attempt at a Fugue for Soprano and String Orchestra, which will be performed in April 2015.

In our 2014/15 season, the ICO collaborates with some of the finest international guest soloists including celebrated violinists Anthony Marwood, Kristóf Baráti alongside world renowned American soprano, Claron McFadden. We are delighted to welcome back Hungarian cellist István Várdai, who wowed audiences in Limerick and Dublin in 2013. As always, Irish artists are very much to the fore with soprano Fiona Murphy adding to the illustrious line-up. The ICO looks forward to collaborating, for the first time, with Fidget Feet, an innovative performance company that stretches boundaries between dance, theatre, aerial circus and more.

The orchestra has enjoyed fruitful relationships over many years with an array of Irish composers and has commissioned the young and exciting Sam

Perkin, to write a piece for string orchestra. This commission will be performed in February 2015 and has been kindly funded by the Arts Council of Ireland/An Chomhairle Ealaíon.

Whether you’re a regular concert-goer or new to the ICO, I would encourage you to come behind-the-scenes and visit our website onwww.irishchamberorchestra.com

The Irish Chamber Orchestra, resident at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, has its own studio on campus at the University of Limerick. We are funded by The Arts Council of Ireland/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and are ever grateful for their ongoing support.

I would like to acknowledge the generous support of Culture Ireland, who contributes significantly to the ICO’s international touring initiatives. Thanks also to our Patrons and Friends who are ever supportive of ICO endeavours.

Gerard KeenanChief Executive Officer

MESSAGE FROM THE CEOWelcome to our 2014/15 season!

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Violin Katherine Hunka Concertmaster/Director ViolinNicola Sweeney PrincipalAndré Swanepoel PrincipalAnna CashellDiane DalyOonagh KeoghEmily Nenniger Kenneth Rice Louis RodenCliodhna Ryan

ViolaJoachim Roewer Principal Cian Ó’DúillMark Coates SmithRobin Panther

CelloRudi de Groote Principal Richard AngelAoife Nic Athlaoich

Double BassMalachy Robinson Principal

OboeDan Bates PrincipalMatthew Draper

HornJames Palmer PrincipalStephen Nicholls

Board of Directors/ExecutiveMichael Buckley (Chair)Frank Casey (Hon. Life President)Maureen CluneEamonn CreganJoseph DundonAnn Marie Gill (Deputy Chair) Maurice HealyStephen NolanCian Ó’Dúill

Chief Executive Gerard Keenan

Friends/FinanceMargaret Kelly

Press/MarketingCharlotte Eglington

Digital CommunicationsCaitriona Murphy

Community Engagement ManagerKathleen Turner

Artistic AdvisorSonja Stein, Sonja Stein Company

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THE IRISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRAThe Irish Chamber Orchestra is Ireland’s finest chamber orchestra, renowned nationally and internationally for its energy, unique sound, programme diversity and outstanding musicianship. Working with Gábor Takács-Nagy (Principal Artistic Partner) and Jörg Widmann (Principal Guest Conductor/Artistic Partner), the Irish Chamber Orchestra is breaking boundaries and opening new doors to music.

Under the leadership of Concertmaster/Director Katherine Hunka, the orchestra is regarded as one of Ireland’s best exports. The orchestra continues to tour with great success across Europe and the US with planned visits to Bregenz (Austria) and the Rheingau Festival (Kurhaus, Wiesbaden) in 2014/15.

Closer to home, the ICO continues its rich tradition of collaboration with leading international guest soloists in its 2014/15 season including virtuosic violinists Anthony Marwood, Kristóf Baráti alongside world renowned American soprano, Claron McFadden. The exciting young cellist István Várdai continues to make waves across Europe and we are delighted to welcome him back in 2015. As always, Irish artists are very much to the fore, as the ICO collaborates for the first time this year with soprano Fiona Murphy and with the spectacular circus group, Fidget Feet. Pianist Hugh Tinney also makes a welcome though brief appearance in November.

The orchestra has worked with some of the world’s finest musicians including Gérard Korsten, Alison Balsom, Leon Fleisher, Steve Mackey, Jonathan Cohen, Nuria Rial, Sergei Nakariakov, Tabea Zimmerman and Irish artists including James Galway, Ailish Tynan and Michael McHale. The orchestra also has warm relationships with celebrated artists including Steven Isserlis, Stephen Hough and Pekka Kuusisto.

The ICO excels in a diverse repertoire ranging from classical to modern day masterpieces and new commissions enjoying fruitful relationships over the years with an array of Irish composers, including Garrett Sholdice, John Kinsella, Linda Buckley, Míchael Ó’Súilleabháin, Bill Whelan and Elaine Agnew. An exciting young composer Sam Perkin is the ICO’s latest commission and his work, funded by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon, will be performed in February 2015.

ICO recordings include Plectrum & Bow, a collaborative recording with US composer and guitarist Steve Mackey. Other releases include Night Moves, conducted by Gérard Korsten and Hommage which features works by Irish composer, John Kinsella.

Outside the concert hall, the Irish Chamber Orchestra stimulates minds and hearts with vitality unmatched by other ensembles. It offers music as an instrument of social change, introducing children to music, creativity, innovation, understanding and openness, thus helping them to reach their full potential as individuals.

The Irish Chamber Orchestra is resident at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick and is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland/An Chomhairle Ealaíon.

…the Irish Chamber Orchestra responded to him with an almost super-human alertness… they delivered with a melting, sighing beauty.

“” Irish Times

www.irishchamberorchestra.com

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Ranging from near-reckless energy to infinite calm, the music-making has that elusive mix of freedom and precision many a conductor would die for. Yet this optimum is due to the ICO leader, Katherine Hunka, who directs from her violin with seemingly telepathic discretion.

“” Irish Times

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Katherine Hunka

Director / ConcertmasterLondon born, Katherine studied with musician, educator and composer, Sheila Nelson and continued at the Royal Academy of Music with Gyorgy Pauk. Her debut at London’s Wigmore Hall, with pianist Sophia Rahman, gained critical acclaim. Katherine was invited to become a member of The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields and toured extensively with celebrated artists including Murray Perriah and Joshua Bell. She performed the world première of Britten’s re-discovered Double Concerto for Violin and Viola with Philip Dukes at the 1997 Aldeburgh Festival. Katherine was a co-founder member of the Britten Ensemble, who performed regularly at the Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh. In 2002 Katherine was appointed Leader of the Irish Chamber Orchestra where she has directed many concerts from the violin as well as performing as soloist across a wide range of repertoire. Along with the ICO, she has always championed the music of Irish composers and over the years has premièred new works by Bill Whelan, John Kinsella, Míchael Ó Súilleabháin, Elaine Agnew and Linda Buckley. Katherine has shared the concert platform with ICO guest artists, performing concertos with Pekka Kuusisto, Nigel Kennedy and Anthony Marwood among others.

Nationally, the orchestra hosts a series of concerts in its home town of Limerick and Dublin along with other major cities. Katherine directs regional tours to every corner of the country and has made international appearances directing the in distinguished concert halls across Europe and Asia including the Esplanade in Singapore and Berlin’s prestigious Konzerthaus. With sparkling versatility, Katherine has performed everything from baroque to contemporary. She has been part of dynamic duo with Irish accordionist, Dermot Dunne which has successfully toured Ireland and China. More recently, the duo became a trio with the addition of Bassist, Malachy Robinson. Katherine has been a guest leader with the Manchester Camerata, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Royal National Scottish Orchestra and has performed solo concertos with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland and RTÉ Concert Orchestra.

This season she will perform at the Westport Festival, and embark on an Irish tour with pianist Hugh Tinney and cellist Guy Johnston. She teaches on the MA programme in Classical Strings at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick which is operated jointly by Irish Chamber Orchestra and the Academy. Katherine regularly directs performances at the ICO Sing Out With Strings community education project running in three schools in Limerick city. She is a Professor at the CIT Cork School of Music where she directs students in chamber orchestra performances. Katherine has also been a visiting Professor at Indiana University USA. Katherine plays a Jean Baptiste Vuilaume violin (1874) and uses an Irish-made bow, by Gary Leahy.

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As an orchestra they showcased the extent of their talents throughout. The ease and capability with which they tackled the pieces tonight... was truly a success and for those here to witness it, the evening is sure to be but one of their musical highlights for 2014.

“” Golden Plec

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Gábor Takács-NagyPrincipal Artistic PartnerA native of Budapest, Gábor Takács-Nagy studied violin from eight years. As a student of the Franz Liszt Academy, he won First Prize in 1979 in the Jeno Hubay Violin Competition and later pursued studies with Nathan Milstein. His chamber music teachers at that time were Ferenc Rados, András Mihaly, Zoltán Székely, Sándor Végh and György Kurtag. From 1975 to 1992, he was founding member and leader of the acclaimed Takács Quartet performing with legendary artists; Yehudi Menuhin, Sir Georg Solti, Isaac Stern, Mstislav Rostropovitch, and was regularly invited by Sviatoslav Richter to his festivals. The Takács Quartet made many recordings for Decca and Hungaroton. In 1996, he founded the Takács Piano Trio and made world premier recordings of works of Hungarian composers Franz Liszt, Lászlo Lajtha and Sandor Veress.

In 1998 he established the Mikrokosmos String Quartet with compatriots Zoltan Tuska, Sandor Papp and Miklos Perényi, recording in 2008 the complete cycle of Bartók’s String Quartets for which they were awarded the Excellencia prize by Pizzicato Magazine. In 1982, he was awarded the Liszt Prize. Gábor Takács-Nagy is considered one of today’s most authentic exponents of Hungarian music, and in particular, that of Béla Bartók.

In 2002, following Hungarian tradition, Gábor Takács-Nagy turned his attention to conducting , creating his own string ensemble, the Camerata Bellerive (2005) and in 2006 was appointed Music Director of the Weinberger Kammerorchestra. In August 2007, he was named Music Director of the Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra, an integral part of the Verbier Festival and regularly collaborates with the pianist Martha Argerich. A DVD of their performances of Beethoven’s 2nd piano concerto and Shostakovich’s concerto for piano, trumpet and strings was released in June 2011.

From 2010 until 2012 Gábor was Music Director of the MAV Symphony Orchestra Budapest recording a world premiere the epic Bards of Wales oratorio by Karl Jenkins. In September 2011 he was appointed Music Director

of Manchester Camerata, one of the UK’s leading chamber orchestras and in September 2012 became Principal Guest Conductor of the Budapest Festival Orchestra. In January 2013 he was appointed Principal Artistic Partner of the Irish Chamber Orchestra.

Gábor Takács-Nagy is a dedicated and highly sought-after teacher. He is Professor of String Quartet at the Haute Ecole de Musique in Geneva and International Chair of Chamber Music at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. In June 2012 he was awarded honorary membership of the Royal Academy of Music in London.

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Jörg WidmannPrincipal Guest Conductor/Artistic PartnerMunich-born Jörg Widmann studied clarinet at the Hochschule für Musik in Munich with Gerd Starke, and with Charles Neidich at the Juilliard School in New York. He studied composition with Kay Westermann and subsequently with Wilfried Hiller, Hans Werner Henze, Heiner Goebbels and Wolfgang Rihm.

Widmann’s great passion as a clarinettist is chamber music and he regularly performs with partners including Tabea Zimmermann, Heinz Holliger, András Schiff, Kim Kashkashian, and Hélène Grimaud. He has achieved great solo success with orchestral concerts in Germany and abroad. Several works have been dedicated to him including Music for Clarinet and Orchestra by Wolfgang Rihm (1999); he performed Cantus by Aribert Reimann with the WDR symphony orchestra (2006), and the world premiere of Rechant by Heinz Holliger. In 2001, Jörg Widmann was appointed professor of clarinet at the Freiburg Staatliche Hochschule für Musik where he is now additionally, professor of composition since 2009.

It is the string quartets which form the core of Widmann’s œuvre: String Quartet No. I (1997), followed by Choralquartett (2003/2006) and Jagdquartett which was premiered by the Arditti

The lasting impression of lively and accomplished music playing which goes beyond good reproduction of the printed score is also thanks to the inspired collaboration between Widmann and the Irish Chamber Orchestra.

“”Wiesbadener Kurier

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Jörg WidmannPrincipal Guest Conductor/Artistic Partner

Quartet in 2003. This setting was completed in 2005 by String Quartet No. IV and Quartet No. V. The five string quartets are intended as a large cycle, with each individual work following a traditional form of setting.

Widmann’s Lied (2003/2007), Chor (2004) and Messe (2005) for large orchestra, explore the transformation of vocal forms for instrumental forces. In 2007, Christian Tetzlaff and the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie premiered Widmann’s first Violin Concerto. That year, Pierre Boulez and the Vienna Philharmonic gave the first performance of Armonica for orchestra. This was followed by Con brio, a homage to Beethoven, performed for the first time by the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra under Mariss Jansons.

Three music-theatre projects prove Widmann to be an outstanding composer for the stage: the opera Das Gesicht im Spiegel was chosen by the German magazine Opernwelt as the most significant first performance of the season 2003/04. Am Anfang (2009) is the result of a unique collaboration between a visual artist and a composer; Widmann created the work together with Anselm Kiefer and conducted the world premiere at the 20th anniversary of the Opéra Bastille in Paris. His most recent stage

work, Babylon (2011/12), was a commission by the Bayerische Staatsoper Munich.

Widmann has received numerous prizes including the Belmont Prize for Contemporary Music from the Forberg-Schneider Foundation (1998), the Schneider-Schott Music Prize, the Paul Hindemith Prize (both in 2002), the Encouragement Award from the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation, the Achievement Award from the Munich Opera Festival (both in 2003) as well as the Arnold Schönberg Prize (2004). In 2006, Widmann received the Composition Prize from the SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden und Freiburg as well as the Claudio Abbado Composition Prize from the Orchestra Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2009, he received the Elise L. Stoeger Prize from the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society, NY. In 2013, he was awarded the Music Award of the Heidelberger Frühling and the GEMA German Music Authors Award. He is

a fellow of the Institute for Advanced Study in Berlin, a full member of the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts, the Free Academy of the Arts in Hamburg and the German Academy of Dramatic Arts. He was composer-in-residence of the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Salzburg Festival, the Lucerne Festival, the Cologne Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Vienna Konzerthaus.

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SEPTEMBER 2014

Irish Chamber Orchestra

HAYDN IN LONDONGábor Takács-Nagy Principal Artistic Partner/Conductor

Haydn Symphony No. 101 The ClockWagner Siegfried Idyll WWV 103 Bartók String Quartet No. 1, LentoHaydn Symphony No. 104 London

Thursday 11 September

RDS Concert Hall Dublin @ 8pm0818 719 300 www.ticketmaster.iee20, e18 and e10 students

Friday 12 September

University Concert Hall Limerick @ 8pm061-331549www.uch.iee20, e18 and e10 students

Haydn was an international celebrity, by the time he visited London. This programme is booked-ended by two of his most significant London symphonies and marks the end of Gábor Takács-Nagy’s symphonic journey with Haydn. The Clock epitomises the composer’s wit with elegance alongside Haydn’s final and greatest London Symphony, a tour de force, a work of unsurpassed concentration, invention and consummate mastery.

Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll was a birthday gift to his wife Cosima. Originally entitled the Tribschen Idyll, after their country retreat, it was renamed Siegfried Idyll, after their son. Bartók’s landmark set of six quartets spanned his creative life and the first, with apparent echoes of Siegfried Idyll, shows a young composer greatly influenced by Wagner, in its harmonic intricacy. The impact of folk-song is already visible in the quartet’s rhythmic drive and momentum.

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Thursday 11 September


Friday 12 September


…the Irish Chamber Orchestra responded to him with an almost super-human alertness…they delivered with a melting, sighing beauty

“” The Irish Times

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Boundless energy, intellectual curiosity and creative wizardry“ ”BBC Music Magazine

Photo credit: Pia Johnson14

Irish Chamber OrchestraAnthony Marwood Director/ViolinDaniel Bates OboeLaoise O’Brien RecorderKamala Bain Recorder

THE MAGIC OF MARWOODBach Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G Major BWV 1049Bach Concerto for Violin and Oboe in C minor BWV 1060Enescu Octet Op. 7 in C Major (arr. Marwood)

Thursday 16 October RDS Concert Hall Dublin @ 8pm0818 719 300 www.ticketmaster.iee20, e18 and e10 students

Friday 17 October


The virtuosic Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 BWV 1049 has a delightful freshness that is outstanding, even among the glories of the Bach’s output as a whole. The music oozes passion, fire and joy highlighting the interplay between Anthony Marwood’s virtuosic bow and the two recorder soloists. Bach’s Concerto for Violin and Oboe in C minor, BWV 1060 is one of his greatest concerti. The overall effect

is plaintive and mesmerising - as the two soloists weave around each other dancing. Savour an opportunity to hear Enescu’s Octet. An amazing accomplishment, the product of teenage genius, it is an immaculately crafted, impassioned work that tantalisingly fuses the post-Wagnerian ecstasy of early Schonberg with the enigmatic ‘cool’ of Debussy.

OCTOBER 2014

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The ensemble did an excellent job... allowing the progressiveharmonies (from a classical perspective) to bloom and unfoldThe brilliance of the last movement was not the centre of attentionhere, but rather the exposition of unbelievably beautiful melodiesagainst the backdrop of deep alternate shadow worlds

“”Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

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NOVEMBER 2014

Irish Chamber OrchestraJörg Widmann Principal Guest Conductor/ ClarinetHugh Tinney PianoFidget Feet Aerial Dance

WUNDERKIND 3Prokofiev Overture on Hebrew Themes Op. 34. Mendelssohn String Symphony No. 8Widmann Duos for Violin and Cello Mendelssohn String Symphony No. 4Prokofiev Quintet in G minor, Op. 39.

Thursday 20 November


Friday 21 November


Widmann continues his exploration of the Mendelssohn Symphonies and other prodigious works. Nowhere is Mendelssohn‘s talent more evident that in those early Sinfonias, where the range of invention far exceeds the expectation. No. 4 takes inspiration from Handel, while No. 8 captures the teenage spirit rather splendidly. Book-ending the programme are two contrasting works by Prokofiev. His Overture, written in New York was considered in part as a comic but affectionate caricature and features Hugh Tinney on piano. Prokofiev was

hailed as perhaps the only non-Jewish composer who had truly captured the essence of Eastern-European Yiddish music. From the same era, his Quintet in G minor, Op. 39 is a seldom heard gift full of the jazzy themes of the 20‘s, inspired by his forgotten circus ballet Trapèze. Acrobatic aerial dance specialists, Fidget Feet enhance this unique performance. Widmann’s selection of Duos, from his Suite of 24 duos for Violin and Cello, was premiered by his sister Caroline Widmann and Jean-Guihen Queyras.

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The ICO presents its customary Christmas festivities with a French theme celebrating music and impressionism. Impressionist paintings created a sensorial experience through colour and form and these works, by French composers, reveal tone and mode evoking fleeting images for the listener. Saint-Saëns’ enchanting Le Déluge is based on the story of Noah and the Flood. In its entirety it is seldom heard, whereas its Prelude (scored for strings) often features as a concert work. The Swan, from his fun-filled Carnival of the Animals Suite is one of Saint-Saëns’ most popular works, a sound painting of the graceful bird through a calm, soaring melody. The quality of Vivaldi’s Paris concerti is unsurpassed and shows him at the peak of his invention. Britten continued his imaginative exploitation of string orchestra sonorities in Les Illuminations with these exhilarating settings of poems by Arthur Rimbaud, sung by Irish soprano, Fiona Murphy. Debussy’s ‘sacred’ dance is in slow triple time, with a more animated middle section; its chains of harmonies in the ancient modes create an archaic feeling. Enjoy Francaix’s five bonbons from Quinze Portraits D’Enfants, inspired by portraits of children as painted by Renoir.

Petit Papa Noël by Martinet was France’s best-selling Christmas song of all time, performed by Rossi in Richard Pottier’s film Destins and has been covered by many artists over the years. Slent Night was heard for the first time in a village church in Oberndorf, Austria on Christmas Eve 1918, when sung by its composers with just a guitar. Little was it known that this carol would wing its way into the hearts of people worldwide.“

The Irish Times

Dramatically deft and vocally splendid

”

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DECEMBER 2014

Thursday 11 December St Fin Barres Cathedral Cork @ 8pm061-331549 www.uch.iee20, e18 and e10 students

Friday 12 December St Mary’s Cathedral Limerick @ 8pm061-331549 www.uch.iee20, e18 and e10 students

Irish Chamber OrchestraKatherine Hunka DirectorFiona Murphy SopranoRudi de Groote CelloCliona Doris Harp

JOYEUX NOËL Saint-Saëns Le deluge Op. 45, Prélude Debussy Nuit d’etoiles Vivaldi Paris Concerto No. 2 in E minor, RV 133Britten Les IlluminationsDebussy Sacred and Profane Dances for Harp and StringsFrancaix From Quinze Portraits D’Enfants

In the Luxembourg Garden Madame Charpentier’s Children At the PianoThe Baby with a Spoon The Schoolboy

Martinet Le Petit Papa NoelWade Adeste FidelisSaint-Saëns The SwanGruber/Mohr Silent Night

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FEBRUARY 2015

Irish Chamber OrchestraKatherine Hunka Director/ViolinIstván Várdai Cello

WORLD PREMIERE Shostakovich Prelude and ScherzoSchumann Cello Concerto in A minor Op. 129Sam Perkin World PremiereShostakovich Chamber Symphony Op. 110a The 8th String Quartet

The ICO tours with a programme of exciting old and new works, directed by Katherine Hunka. The orchestra has commissioned up-and-coming composer, Sam Perkin, to write a work for String Orchestra. This has been generously funded by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon. The orchestra welcomes back celebrated Hungarian cellist István Várdai, whose youthful virtuosity won the hearts of fans in 2013. Schumann’s great Cello Concerto fuses the traditional 3-movement Concerto into one movement, and demands a broad palette of colours, lightness of touch, flexibility and expression from the soloist. Várdai’s reading of this intensely romantic work is much anticipated. Two works by Shostakovich book-end this programme. His early Prelude

and Scherzo encompass an almost symphonic range of expression. The Prelude is improvisatory, combining sombre and dancelike elements; while the Scherzo, one of a young Shostakovich’s most tongue-in-cheek “modern” creations, reflects the period of avant-gardism that flourished briefly, pre-Stalin. The music is cheeky and humorous, overflowing with dissonance and youthful energy. His 8th String Quartet (as orchestrated by Rudolf Barshai) is one of the most powerful and personal works of the twentieth century. Dedicated to the victims of facism and war, the Quartet was composed following a visit to the devastated city of Dresden in 1960. The music permeates with personal quotations suggesting an autobiographical narrative.

Wednesday 4 FebruaryNational Concert Hall, Dublin @ 8pm01 417 0000 www.nch.iee20, e18 and e10 students

Thursday 5 FebruaryUniversity Concert Hall, Limerick @ 8pm061-331549 www.uch.iee20, e18 and e10 students

Friday 6 FebruaryThe Model, Sligo @ 8pmTel 071 9161518 www.hawkswell.come25 (students e10 at the door only)

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Vardai is a special kind of genius….his performance is breath-taking with perfect intonation, adequate interpretation, impeccable tempo, in short, he is an incredible virtuoso

“”Parlando

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The players conveyed the music’s every nuance with colourful allure, snapped its rhythms with bracing energy, and turned the whole work into a real tour de force... The orchestra’s music-making was a pure delight... .played with an intensity of moment-by-moment focus that was totally gripping

“”The Irish Times

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MARCH 2015

Irish Chamber OrchestraGábor Takács-Nagy Principal Artistic Partner/ConductorKristóf Baráti Violin

VIRTUOSIC VIOLINBeethoven: Grosse Fuge for String Quartet {Grand Fugue)Haydn: Violin Concerto Hob Vlla 1, C majorHaydn: Violin Concerto Hob Vlla 4, G majorBartók: Divertimento

Gábor Takács-Nagy closes the final chapter of his journey with Haydn with two of his four sensational violin concertos. The virtuosic First was written for Luigi Tomasini, court violinist at Esterházy and is reminiscent of Vivaldi. The Fourth is courtly and grand. The extraordinary violinist Kristóf Baráti performs these gems from Esterházy. Beethoven’s five late string quartets, composed towards the end of his life when he had lost his hearing, contain some of his finest and most profound music. The Grosse Fuge (Grand Fugue) was originally intended as the finale to the third of these quartets, Op. 130 in B flat. It is radical, visionary, breaking

with preceding tradition and stretching the medium of four instruments to its limits. It was misunderstood at the time, prompting his publisher to ask for an alternative last movement. The original Finale was subsequently published on its own as the Grosse Fuge Op. 133. Much anticipated is Gábor Takács-Nagy’s reading of Bartók’s Divertimento for Strings - one of the most demanding pieces in the string orchestra repertoire. The rhythms and melody of Eastern European folk music masterfully voice a vast range of emotion - from light-humoured to the foreboding and sorrow of a continent on the brink of war.

Friday 6 March University Concert Hall, Limerick @ 8pm061-331549 www.uch.iee20, e18 and e10 students

Saturday 7 March

St. Finbarr’s South Church @ 8pm061-331549 www.uch.iee20, e18 and e10 students

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Irish Chamber OrchestraJörg Widmann Principal Guest Conductor and ClarinetClaron McFadden SopranoGilles Vonsattel Piano

EVOLUTION!Mozart Don Giovanni Overture K.527Mozart Adagio and Fugue in C minor K.546Widmann Attempt at a Fugue for Soprano and String Orchestra (World Premiere)Widmann Sphinx Sayings & Riddle Canons for Soprano, Clarinet & PianoMendelssohn Symphony No. 5 Op.107 Reformation

Wednesday 9 April RDS Concert Hall Dublin @ 8pm0818 719 300 www.ticketmaster.iee20, e18 and e10 students

Thursday 10 April University Concert Hall, Limerick @ 8pm061-331549 www.uch.iee20, e18 and e10 students

Mozart took only a day to complete the overture to Don Giovanni, a suitably dark and powerful opening to one of his operatic masterpieces. This counterbalances the powerful symphonic close of Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5 (Reformation), the centre-piece of this programme. This, the last of Mendelssohn’s five symphonies, commemorated the 300th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession (a cornerstone of the Reformation) and sheds fascinating light on how Mendelssohn reconciled symphonic form with romantic expression of religious feeling. Mendelssohn’s life-long obsession with Bach’s counterpoint in turn inspired Jörg Widmann to include his own Attempt at a Fugue for Soprano and String Orchestra along with another by Mozart. Fleeting intimations of Bach, Beethoven and more, bubble to the surface

during Attempt at a Fugue for Soprano and String Orchestra - the last episode in Widmann’s linked cycle of five string quartets. Widmann has been jointly commissioned by the Irish Chamber Orchestra and the Stuttgarter Kammerorchester to re-write his Attempt at a Fugue for Soprano and String Quartet for Soprano and String Orchestra. US soprano, Claron McFadden is renowned for her interpretation of modern and contemporary music and she will join the ICO for this world premiere. Mozart first composed his C major Fugue for two pianos, but subsequently scored it for strings adding an introductory Adagio reminiscent of a French overture. The theme of the Fugue is strongly rhythmic and shows a thorough knowledge of Bach. His study of Bach’s fugues represented “a revolution and a crisis in his creative activity.

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Wednesday 9 April RDS Concert Hall Dublin @ 8pm0818 719 300 www.ticketmaster.iee20, e18 and e10 students

Thursday 10 April University Concert Hall, Limerick @ 8pm061-331549 www.uch.iee20, e18 and e10 students

Photo credit: Sacha de Boer.

In Widmann’s Sphinx’s Sayings and Riddle Canons for Soprano, clarinet, and piano, the particularly playful handling of sonority meets an almost rigid structure where the difference between McFadden’s humming alongside the clarinet and the knocking sounds of the piano, become indistinguishable.

It was soprano Claron McFadden who really raised the performance from merely great to really remarkable

“”The Scotsman

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THE IRISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA BRINGING LIVE MUSIC TO YOUR COMMUNITY

The Irish Chamber Orchestra has developed a comprehensive community engagement programme. Every time you buy an ICO ticket, you support this programme which brings live music from the concert hall directly to the community.

Sing Out With StringsThe ICO provides weekly workshops in singing, song-writing and violin tuition for 300 children across Limerick city. The project was established in 2008 by the Irish Chamber Orchestra as a Community Engagement Programme working within Limerick’s regeneration process. It includes four schools, Galvone National School, Southill Junior School, St. Mary’s Boys National School and St. Enda’s Community School. Inspired by El Sistema, the Venezuelan model of music education, which provides free instrumental and vocal tuition countrwide, Sing Out With Strings has gained a significant

place within the musical fabric of primary music provision in Limerick’s regeneration process. This important work has attracted local and national attention and recognition as an excellent model of instrumental music provision with primary schools. The project addresses issues of inclusion, equality of access and provision and highlights the numerous benefits that a long-term project of this nature has on the children, staff, parents and the wider community. Both at individual and collective levels, the project is uniting communities, building local pride, creating vehicles for expression, stimulating emotional responses and developing tangible musical knowledge and skills. Sing Out With Strings aims to continue to expand, contribute and strengthen the social, cultural and creative capital of communities within Limerick’s regeneration process.

Academos Irish Chamber Orchestra AcademyThe ICO is resident at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the heart of an emerging college

of Performing Arts at the University of Limerick. The Academy boasts a respected MA in Classical Strings, a full-time two-year programme, Masters in Classical String Performance which is operated jointly by the Irish Chamber Orchestra and the Irish World Academy, UL. Central to the course is the Irish World Academy String Ensemble, Academos which is tutored by members of the Irish Chamber Orchestra and offers students extensive opportunities to perform publically in orchestral and chamber ensembles operated by the ICO in tandem with the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. Master-classes and workshops by internationally acclaimed visiting directors, soloists, and guests of the ICO are also a feature of the programme.

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Music FactoryIs the Irish Chamber Orchestra’s summer camp (8-12yrs). Children participate in a range of activities from dance, drama and drumming to singing, song-writing, improvisation and visual art.

ConCordaConCorda is an exciting international chamber music course for young string musicians run by the Irish Chamber Orchestra and Irish Association of Youth Orchestras. Now in its 22nd year, ConCorda provides a rare platform for students from fourteen years upwards to discover and explore all aspects of string chamber music in an uncompeti-tive and inspiring environment.

Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin; Composition ProjectIrish composer Ian Wilson worked with ICO musicians with support from the Arts Council of Ireland. Together they have produced a piece for string quartet and soprano based on the experience of stroke. This composition was performed in Adelaide and Meath Hospital with

soprano Deirdre Moynihan as part of the National Centre for Arts and Health Concert Series.

Irish Chamber Orchestra Community VisitsThroughout the year, ICO musicians al-low time to visit local voluntary organiza-tions and charities and perform for audi-ences who are unable to attend concerts. Performances at St Gabriel’s School for Children with Special Needs, St Paul’s Nursing Home, The Children’s Ark in Lim-erick Regional Hospital, Sisters of Charity and Milford Hospice has garnered over-whelmingly positive feedback.

Ceol na MaraCeol na Mara takes place in July in the very beautiful Kylemore Abbey, Connemara and is designed to give string players of all ages and standards the opportunity to meet and play music together under the guidance of ICO’s Oonagh Keogh, Director and Lisa Grosman. The course includes master classes, chamber music and workshops in Irish traditional music.

Saturday Strings at the ICOAn innovative string programme run by ICO violinist Diane Daly on Saturday mornings at the ICO Studio. The programme includes pre-instrumental classes for 4-7 year olds, beginner strings, continuing strings and chamber groups.

World CarnivalSanctuary, a HEA funded initiative based at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, creates links between the University of Limerick and the many immigrant communities within the city. The ICO provides weekly workshops for 120 children in one of Ireland’s most culturally diverse schools, Maria King Presentation Primary.

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The Irish Chamber Orchestra inspires audiences of all ages with a passion and energy that is unique and strives to share its music in many diverse ways. Through renowned performances, community engagement projects, the orchestra engages with communities and audiences from all walks of life, throughout Ireland and beyond. If you share our passion or would consider ways of supporting the ICO, please visit our website on www.irishchamberorchestra.com

Funded byThe Arts Council of Ireland

Forever FriendsPaul J CareyMuriel CollinsMaurice & Maire FoleyMáirín HagertyMaurice HealyDr Miriam Hederman O’BrienAlison HunkaSean & Margaret JacksonJohn KelleherHilary & Mary LawlessBeverley & Anthony MackayBernard & Moira McNamaraHazel MinionEve MolonyMáire-Treasa Nic EochagáinBrian PattersonTommy & Ann-Elizabeth Riggs-MillerAndrew & Jenny RobinsonMary RyanFionnuala Sherry & Bernard DoyleNorma Smurfit

Family FriendsAnouk Delimata & FamilyDr Dermot & Mrs Dorothy Moloney & FamilyThe Hickey Family Tom, Mary & David Grealy

Honorary FriendsTom BriggsBrian ByrneLisa GrosmanDaphne HendersonJohn HorganMark Hely HutchinsonJohn KellyOonagh KeoghEamonn LawlorUrsula LeslieVictor MalirshLiam McElligottPauline McLaughlinKathy MoynesFergal O’CeallachainJohn O’ConnorDr. Mícheál Ó SúilleabháinMargaret QuigleyKenneth RiceMalachy RobinsonMary RobinsonLouis RodenJoachim RoewerBen RogersonBrian ScanlonHelmut SeeberMadeleine StauntonDr. Thérèse TimoneyDr Edward WalshMary WalshGerard Watson

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Individual FriendsSheila & Gerry BolandSimon BoyleMaura BrannRita BrickFrances BrittonMichael & Sarah BrockMichael & Anne BuckleyDr. Gerard & Patricia BurkeRita ButlerBrian & Sheila CallananJoe & Dympna CallananFrank & Alison CaseyJoseph & Breda ClarkinTom & Hazel CliffordMaureen CluneAngela CoffeyMary CollinsJane ComanAvril CondellKevin & Máirin ConroyAnn CorcoranKieran & Oonagh Corr

Jackie CostelloEamonn CreganMargaret & James DoddMandy DonworthKathleen DowdallAndrea DoyleRoisin DoyleJoe DundonMaeve EarlieMichael & Irene FentonEvelyn FennellyBill & Maura FloodJohn & Eibhlis FlynnEdward GabrielMichael & Mary GalvinBarbara GeraghtyDavid GriffinDrs Tessa Greally & Kevin KelleherDeirdre HanleyMark & Margaret Hely HutchinsonSylvia Jones

Valerie KeeganEileen KellyNoel & Marie KellyNuala KennedyPatricia KennedySheila KeoghBrian MartinFiona McCarthyMarie McCormickDavid McKennaMichael & Valerie MoloneyPhil MolonyProf. & Mrs E Moxon-BrowneProf. Noel MulcahyMichael & Vickie McClintockNoreen McDonaghDavid McKennaVivienne McKechnieBrian McMahonElizabeth NesbittRichard and Anna NolanDonough O’BrienMary O’ByrneShelagh O’ConnellMariam O’DonovanSeán & Siobhán O’DúillDr. Geraldine O’GradyAnne O’KeeffeDr Eithne O’SharkeyStephen & Oonagh O’SheaFrank & Eugenie O’SullivanPaul & Jan O’Sullivan

Desmond & Johanna ParkerMichael PettyGerard QuinnAdrian RafteryPeter & Marian RealCharlie & Mary RocheMichael RyanGeoff SimpsonLord & Lady StevensonMargaret Harper & Richard StoopsAnne Marie StynesPeter SweeneyJudith TaggartMary ThornburySyl TuckerValerie WalkerEdward & Stephanie WalshT.K. WhitakerDavid R WilkinsKostas Wootis

Corporate Friends CRHDundon CallananForrestal Wine MerchantsPaddy Hoare Building & Civil Engineering

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The Irish Chamber Orchestra nurtures lifelong rewarding partnerships while offering a range of benefits and sponsorship opportunities. If you are looking to develop relationships with key stakeholders or if you simply want to expand your brand across the length and breadth of Ireland and further afield, the Irish Chamber Orchestra offers creative and rewarding solutions that will bring music to your ear. For further information on how you can help contact 061-202620 or [email protected]

Robert BallaghJim BarryJoe BuckleyLeslie BuckleyMichael BuckleyJohn ShinnorsDept. of Arts Heritage and the GaeltachtIris O’Brien FoundationIreland FundsJP McManus Charitable Foundation

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ICO StudioUniversity of Limerick

CastletroyLimerick

www.irishchamberorchestra.com

Irish Chamber Orchetra is a limited company registered in Ireland No. 82393Charity No. 8789 VAT No. 461865OU

Documents

ICO Season Brochure 2014/2015