A recent phone call from pianist Darina Gibson invited me to a recital in the NCH’s John Field Room being given by RTÉ NSO flautist Sinéad Farrell and herself. As their principally French programme looked enticing I gladly accepted the invitation. The evening began with Bach’s B minor Flute Sonata where the opening Andante found…
No doubt the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland (NYOI) is already planning its courses and programmes for its golden jubilee next year. Founded in 1970 by the intrepid Olive Smith (often mischievously but endearingly referred to as ‘Granny’ Smith by the teenage players) and the Dublin-born, London-based violinist Hugh Maguire, who was also NYOI’s conductor…
I had the good fortune to interview Leonard Cohen in 1988 when he was promoting his I’m Your Man album. During the course of the interview he told me Marianne Ihlen, a Norwegian woman he met on the Greek island of Hydra during the 1960s, was the love of his life. At the Irish Film…
Pat O’Kelly Founded in 2013 by enterprising trumpeter David Collins and his violinist wife Sarah Sew, Dublin Brass Week (DBW) brings an intrepid set of musicians to the capital as teachers, performers and participants in its varied programme. An important part of the biennial festival is its series of master classes given by tutors…
Pat O’Kelly The last programme in the National Concert Hall’s 2018/19 International Series brought a welcome return to Earlsfort Terrace of the London Symphony Orchestra. Under the direction of its Milan-born principal guest conductor Gianandrea Noseda, the concert was almost extravagant in its soloists – French violist Antoine Tamestit, Russian pianist Daniil Trifonov and…
Pat O’Kelly Until earlier this month I hadn’t heard the Hibernian Orchestra for quite some time. I was actually drawn to its latest event at the National Concert Hall by its soloist, French pianist Nathalia Milstein. She took first prize in the 2015 Dublin International Piano Competition when, for once, I agreed with the…
Pat O’Kelly Festival is a word that can be abused but with Great Music in Irish Houses I think it can be applied without hesitation. This annual event began in 1970 when it was then, and for many years afterwards, known as the Music in Great Irish Houses Festival. In its initial year it embraced…
Pat O’Kelly The final programme in the NCH’s 2018/19 International Concert Series on June 14 brings the welcome return of the London Symphony Orchestra. Under Italian maestro Gianandrea Noseda, the concert features music by Beethoven, Shostakovich and Berlioz. Russian Daniil Trifonov is the soloist in Shostakovich’s 1st Piano Concerto with UK trumpeter Philip Cobb…
Pat O’Kelly Built between 1741 and 1755, Russborough House near Blessington is a fine example of Palladian architecture. The renowned Richard Cassels designed it for the brewer and property developer Joseph Leeson, who was created Earl of Milltown in 1763. Dublin’s Leeson Street is named after him. In 1952 Russborough became the home of…
Pat O’Kelly Three recent events engage an element of novelty. Two involve the RTÉ NSO at the NCH with the third, at nearby St Finian’s Lutheran Church, as part of a Music Network nationwide tour. On their seven-venue stop, German cellist Raphaela Gromes and pianist Julian Riem choose a programme with a strong Italian…