to view ICO`s Season Brochure 2014-15

IRISH
CHAMBER
ORCHESTRA
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
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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
Orchestra
in
The
IrishChamber
Chamber
Orchestra
concert
as part
of Culture
Connects,
in
concert
at the
Heidelberger
the International Culture Programme
Frühling,
April 2014.
celebrating Ireland’s EU Presidency in
Berlin on Monday, January, 21st, 2013
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
Welcome to our 2014/15 season!
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.
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
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 on
www.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 Keenan
Chief Executive Officer
SEASON
2014/2015
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Violin
Katherine Hunka Concertmaster/Director Violin
Nicola Sweeney Principal
André Swanepoel Principal
Anna Cashell
Diane Daly
Oonagh Keogh
Emily Nenniger
Kenneth Rice
Louis Roden
Cliodhna Ryan
Viola
Joachim Roewer Principal
Cian Ó’Dúill
Mark Coates Smith
Robin Panther
Cello
Rudi de Groote Principal
Richard Angel
Aoife Nic Athlaoich
Double Bass
Chief Executive
Oboe
Friends/Finance
Malachy Robinson Principal
Dan Bates Principal
Matthew Draper
Horn
James Palmer Principal
Stephen Nicholls
Board of Directors/Executive
Michael Buckley (Chair)
Frank Casey (Hon. Life President)
Maureen Clune
Eamonn Cregan
Joseph Dundon
Ann Marie Gill (Deputy Chair)
Maurice Healy
Stephen Nolan
Cian Ó’Dúill
Gerard Keenan
Margaret Kelly
Press/Marketing
Charlotte Eglington
Digital Communications
Caitriona Murphy
Community Engagement Manager
Kathleen Turner
Artistic Advisor
Sonja Stein, Sonja Stein Company
THE IRISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
The 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 TakácsNagy (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.
www.irishchamberorchestra.com
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.
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.
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 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.
“
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
SEASON
2014/2015
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6
“
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
Katherine Hunka
Director / Concertmaster
London 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 rediscovered 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.
SEASON
2014/2015
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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
Gábor Takács-Nagy
Principal Artistic Partner
A 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 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.
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.
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.
SEASON
2014/2015
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Jörg Widmann
10
Principal Guest Conductor/Artistic Partner
Munich-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.
“
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
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
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 ForbergSchneider 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.
SEASON
2014/2015
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12
SEPTEMBER 2014
Irish Chamber Orchestra
Gábor Takács-Nagy Principal Artistic Partner/Conductor
Thursday 11 September
RDS Concert Hall Dublin @ 8pm
0818 719 300 www.ticketmaster.ie
e20, e18 and e10 students
Haydn Wagner
Bartók Haydn Friday 12 September
University Concert Hall Limerick @ 8pm
061-331549 www.uch.ie
e20, e18 and e10 students
HAYDN IN LONDON
Symphony No. 101 The Clock
Siegfried Idyll WWV 103 String Quartet No. 1, Lento
Symphony No. 104 London
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 TakácsNagy’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.
“
…the Irish Chamber Orchestra responded to him with
an almost super-human alertness…they delivered with
a melting, sighing beauty
”
The Irish Times
SEASON
2014/2015
13
Photo credit: Pia Johnson
14
“
Boundless energy, intellectual curiosity and
creative wizardry
”
BBC Music Magazine
OCTOBER 2014
Irish Chamber Orchestra
Anthony Marwood Director/Violin
Daniel Bates Oboe
Laoise O’Brien Recorder
Kamala Bain Recorder
Thursday 16 October RDS Concert Hall Dublin @ 8pm
0818 719 300 www.ticketmaster.ie
e20, e18 and e10 students
THE MAGIC OF MARWOOD
Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G Major BWV 1049
Bach Concerto for Violin and Oboe in C minor BWV 1060
Enescu Octet Op. 7 in C Major (arr. Marwood)
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
Friday 17 October
University Concert Hall Limerick @ 8pm
061-331549 www.uch.ie
e20, e18 and e10 students
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. SEASON
2014/2015
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“
The ensemble did an excellent job... allowing the progressive
harmonies (from a classical perspective) to bloom and unfold
The brilliance of the last movement was not the centre of attention
here, but rather the exposition of unbelievably beautiful melodies
against the backdrop of deep alternate shadow worlds
”
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
NOVEMBER 2014
Irish Chamber Orchestra
Jörg Widmann Principal Guest Conductor/ Clarinet
Hugh Tinney Piano
Fidget Feet Aerial Dance WUNDERKIND 3
Prokofiev Mendelssohn Widmann Mendelssohn Prokofiev Overture on Hebrew Themes Op. 34.
String Symphony No. 8
Duos for Violin and Cello
String Symphony No. 4
Quintet in G minor, Op. 39.
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
Thursday 20 November
RDS Concert Hall Dublin @ 8pm
0818 719 300 www.ticketmaster.ie
e20, e18 and e10 students
Friday 21 November
University Concert Hall Limerick @ 8pm
061-331549 www.uch.ie
e20, e18 and e10 students
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.
SEASON
2014/2015
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18
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.
“
”
Dramatically deft and vocally splendid
The Irish Times
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.
DECEMBER 2014
Irish Chamber Orchestra
Katherine Hunka Director
Fiona Murphy Soprano
Rudi de Groote Cello
Cliona Doris Harp
JOYEUX NOËL Saint-Saëns
Debussy
Vivaldi
Britten
Debussy
Francaix
Martinet Wade
Saint-Saëns
Gruber/Mohr
Le deluge Op. 45, Prélude
Nuit d’etoiles
Paris Concerto No. 2 in E minor, RV 133
Les Illuminations
Sacred and Profane Dances for Harp and Strings
From Quinze Portraits D’Enfants
In the Luxembourg Garden
Madame Charpentier’s Children
At the Piano
The Baby with a Spoon
The Schoolboy
Le Petit Papa Noel
Adeste Fidelis
The Swan
Silent Night
Thursday 11 December
St Fin Barres Cathedral Cork @ 8pm
061-331549 www.uch.ie
e20, e18 and e10 students
Friday 12 December
St Mary’s Cathedral Limerick @ 8pm
061-331549 www.uch.ie
e20, e18 and e10 students
SEASON
2014/2015
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20
FEBRUARY 2015
Irish Chamber Orchestra
Katherine Hunka Director/Violin
István Várdai Cello
WORLD PREMIERE
Shostakovich
Schumann
Sam Perkin
Shostakovich
Prelude and Scherzo
Cello Concerto in A minor Op. 129
World Premiere
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
Wednesday 4 February
National Concert Hall, Dublin @ 8pm
01 417 0000 www.nch.ie
e20, e18 and e10 students
Thursday 5 February
University Concert Hall, Limerick @ 8pm
061-331549 www.uch.ie
e20, e18 and e10 students
Friday 6 February
The Model, Sligo @ 8pm
Tel 071 9161518 www.hawkswell.com
e25 (students e10 at the door only)
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.
“
Vardai is a special kind of genius….his performance is breathtaking with perfect intonation, adequate interpretation,
impeccable tempo, in short, he is an incredible virtuoso
Parlando
”
SEASON
2014/2015
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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
MARCH 2015
Irish Chamber Orchestra
Gábor Takács-NagyPrincipal Artistic Partner/Conductor
Kristóf Baráti Violin
VIRTUOSIC VIOLIN
Beethoven:
Haydn: Haydn: Bartók: Grosse Fuge for String Quartet {Grand Fugue)
Violin Concerto Hob Vlla 1, C major
Violin Concerto Hob Vlla 4, G major
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
Friday 6 March
University Concert Hall, Limerick @ 8pm
061-331549 www.uch.ie
e20, e18 and e10 students
Saturday 7 March
St. Finbarr’s South Church @ 8pm
061-331549 www.uch.ie
e20, e18 and e10 students
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 TakácsNagy’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 lighthumoured to the foreboding and sorrow
of a continent on the brink of war. SEASON
2014/2015
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APRIL 2015
Irish Chamber Orchestra
Jörg Widmann Principal Guest Conductor and Clarinet
Claron McFadden Soprano
Gilles Vonsattel Piano
EVOLUTION!
Mozart
Mozart
Widmann
Widmann
Mendelssohn
Don Giovanni Overture K.527
Adagio and Fugue in C minor K.546
Attempt at a Fugue for Soprano and
String Orchestra (World Premiere)
Sphinx Sayings & Riddle Canons for Soprano,
Clarinet & Piano
Symphony No. 5 Op.107 Reformation
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
Wednesday 9 April
RDS Concert Hall Dublin @ 8pm
0818 719 300 www.ticketmaster.ie
e20, e18 and e10 students
Thursday 10 April
University Concert Hall, Limerick @ 8pm
061-331549 www.uch.ie
e20, e18 and e10 students
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.
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.
Photo credit: Sacha de Boer.
“
It was soprano Claron McFadden who
really raised the performance from
merely great to really remarkable
”
The Scotsman
SEASON
2014/2015
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Community Engagement
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 Strings
The 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
Academy
The 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.
Music Factory
Is 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. ConCorda
ConCorda 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 uncompetitive and inspiring environment.
Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin;
Composition Project
Irish 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
Visits
Throughout the year, ICO musicians allow time to visit local voluntary organizations and charities and perform for audiences 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 Limerick Regional Hospital, Sisters of Charity
and Milford Hospice has garnered overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Ceol na Mara
Ceol 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 ICO
An 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 Carnival
Sanctuary, 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.
SEASON
2014/2015
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HOW CAN YOU HELP?
IRISH
CHAMBER
ORCHESTRA
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 by
The Arts Council of Ireland
Forever Friends
Paul J Carey
Muriel Collins
Maurice & Maire Foley
Máirín Hagerty
Maurice Healy
Dr Miriam Hederman O’Brien
Alison Hunka
Sean & Margaret Jackson
John Kelleher
Hilary & Mary Lawless
Beverley & Anthony Mackay
Bernard & Moira McNamara
Hazel Minion
Eve Molony
Máire-Treasa Nic Eochagáin
Brian Patterson
Tommy & Ann-Elizabeth RiggsMiller
Andrew & Jenny Robinson
Mary Ryan
Fionnuala Sherry & Bernard Doyle
Norma Smurfit
Family Friends
Anouk Delimata & Family
Dr Dermot & Mrs Dorothy
Moloney & Family
The Hickey Family
Tom, Mary & David Grealy
Honorary Friends
Tom Briggs
Brian Byrne
Lisa Grosman
Daphne Henderson
John Horgan
Mark Hely Hutchinson
John Kelly
Oonagh Keogh
Eamonn Lawlor
Ursula Leslie
Victor Malirsh
Liam McElligott
Pauline McLaughlin
Kathy Moynes
Fergal O’Ceallachain
John O’Connor
Dr. Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin
Margaret Quigley
Kenneth Rice
Malachy Robinson
Mary Robinson
Louis Roden
Joachim Roewer
Ben Rogerson
Brian Scanlon
Helmut Seeber
Madeleine Staunton
Dr. Thérèse Timoney
Dr Edward Walsh
Mary Walsh
Gerard Watson
Individual Friends
Sheila & Gerry Boland
Simon Boyle
Maura Brann
Rita Brick
Frances Britton
Michael & Sarah Brock
Michael & Anne Buckley
Dr. Gerard & Patricia Burke
Rita Butler
Brian & Sheila Callanan
Joe & Dympna Callanan
Frank & Alison Casey
Joseph & Breda Clarkin
Tom & Hazel Clifford
Maureen Clune
Angela Coffey
Mary Collins
Jane Coman
Avril Condell
Kevin & Máirin Conroy
Ann Corcoran
Kieran & Oonagh Corr
Jackie Costello
Eamonn Cregan
Margaret & James Dodd
Mandy Donworth
Kathleen Dowdall
Andrea Doyle
Roisin Doyle
Joe Dundon
Maeve Earlie
Michael & Irene Fenton
Evelyn Fennelly
Bill & Maura Flood
John & Eibhlis Flynn
Edward Gabriel
Michael & Mary Galvin
Barbara Geraghty
David Griffin
Drs Tessa Greally & Kevin
Kelleher
Deirdre Hanley
Mark & Margaret Hely
Hutchinson
Sylvia Jones
Valerie Keegan
Eileen Kelly
Noel & Marie Kelly
Nuala Kennedy
Patricia Kennedy
Sheila Keogh
Brian Martin
Fiona McCarthy
Marie McCormick
David McKenna
Michael & Valerie Moloney
Phil Molony
Prof. & Mrs E Moxon-Browne
Prof. Noel Mulcahy
Michael & Vickie McClintock
Noreen McDonagh
David McKenna
Vivienne McKechnie
Brian McMahon
Elizabeth Nesbitt
Richard and Anna Nolan
Donough O’Brien
Mary O’Byrne
Shelagh O’Connell
Mariam O’Donovan
Seán & Siobhán O’Dúill
Dr. Geraldine O’Grady
Anne O’Keeffe
Dr Eithne O’Sharkey
Stephen & Oonagh O’Shea
Frank & Eugenie O’Sullivan
Paul & Jan O’Sullivan
Desmond & Johanna Parker
Michael Petty
Gerard Quinn
Adrian Raftery
Peter & Marian Real
Charlie & Mary Roche
Michael Ryan
Geoff Simpson
Lord & Lady Stevenson
Margaret Harper & Richard
Stoops
Anne Marie Stynes
Peter Sweeney
Judith Taggart
Mary Thornbury
Syl Tucker
Valerie Walker
Edward & Stephanie Walsh
T.K. Whitaker
David R Wilkins
Kostas Wootis
Corporate Friends
CRH
Dundon Callanan
Forrestal Wine Merchants
Paddy Hoare Building & Civil
Engineering
SEASON
2014/2015
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PATRONS & PARTNERSHIPS
IRISH
CHAMBER
ORCHESTRA
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 Ballagh
Jim Barry
Joe Buckley
Leslie Buckley
Michael Buckley
John Shinnors
Dept. of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht
Iris O’Brien Foundation
Ireland Funds
JP McManus Charitable Foundation
A n I CON plc Company
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2014/2015
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IRISH
CHAMBER
ORCHESTRA
ICO Studio
University of Limerick
Castletroy
Limerick
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