IRISH Chamber Orchestra is known for its fresh angles and inventive programming, and the Brothers Haydn is exactly the kind of sideways glance at repertoire ICO does best.
Hear this Haydn journey at UCH, Limerick on Thursday May 14 and at Whyte Recital Hall, RIAM, Dublin on May 15.
In these concerts, Classical style unfolds in real time. Michael Haydn’s Symphony in D major opens in sunshine, warm and radiant. Joseph Haydn’s Violin Concerto in G major is more personal and playful, full of sparkle, charm and intimate conversation between Violinist Carolin Widmann and orchestra. Haydn surprises us as his Symphony No. 45 “Farewell” steps into darker, more restless territory, becoming dramatic, daring, and unexpectedly moving. What begins in light reveals deeper shadows, ending with one of the most touching gestures in music.
No stranger to ICO audiences, violinist Carolin Widmann brings rare clarity, intelligence, and a sense of discovery. Her lean, luminous tone suits Haydn perfectly. Every phrase is shaped with intention, every gesture sparkles with wit and colour. She draws listeners from the warmth of Michael Haydn to the emotional intensity of Joseph’s “Farewell” Symphony, setting the stage for the drama that follows.
The Brothers Haydn is a journey through three shades of the Classical spirit. It’s a chance to hear familiar works reframed, and lesser-known music revealed in all its beauty.