GOING into its second year working with artistic partners, the Hungarian Gabor Takacs Nagy and clarinettist/ composer Jorg Widmann, Irish Chamber Orchestra has released its programme for 2013/14.
Other than the September to April 2014 concerts announced, the orchestra has committed to a 13-stop US tour in October and November. This will be sponsored by Culture ireland, collaborating with flautist Sir James Galway and the American conductor JoAnn Falletta.
ICO has gathered fine international guest soloists this season. In September, Gabor introduces celebrated Hungarian cellist István Várdai, last year’s winner of the Prix Montblanc, an international award for rising young stars. He performs Haydn’s popular C major Concerto, full of fire and spirit and only re-discovered in 1961.
Irish artists remain to the fore. As well as James Galway, Ailish Tynan soprano (December) and Michael McHale piano (March 2014) add to the line-up. The orchestra has also enjoyed relationships over many years with an array of Irish composers.
The ICO stages the US premiere of Philip Hammond’s ‘Carolan Variations’ in October and has commissioned Berlin-based Garrett Sholdice to write a piano concerto which will be performed by rising young star, Michael McHale in March 2014.
Concert dates ahead in 2013 to note for Limerick are Friday September 13, Friday November 22 and Thursday December 19, always at the concert hall.
