The Irish Chamber Orchestra and Artistic Partner Henning Kraggerud bring a programme of sublime French works to Dublin and Limerick this June, with the Limerick concert forming a highlight of the city’s acclaimed Summer Proms.
Irish Chamber Orchestra and Artistic Partner Henning Kraggerud present French Reverie, an immersive journey through France and its musical brilliance, shaped by Kraggerud’s renowned gift for storytelling, where each work flows seamlessly into the next.
Fauré’s Pavane oozes colour and gently melts into Debussy’s The Girl with the Flaxen Hair, as the music becomes intimate and tender, offering purity and stillness. The world of Satie’s Gymnopédie No. 1 envelops the listener, its gentle, unhurried pulse provides a deep sense of calm. In the exquisite Méditation from Thaïs by Massenet, emotion rises to the surface as Kraggerud’s playing speaks directly and intimately, stirring a profound response of tenderness and longing.
Beyond by ICO Leader Emeritus Katherine Hunka brings a deeply personal dimension to the programme. Written as a tribute to the orchestra’s former Principal Cellist, the late Christian Elliott, it carries a sense of remembrance and connection, creating an emotive tribute. Finally, Ravel’s String Quartet in F major, arranged for string orchestra, lifts the atmosphere into something vibrant and radiant brimming with energy.
Under Kraggerud’s direction, this emotional journey unfolds as a continuous arc, his instinctive storytelling weaving the music into an evolving experience. Audiences journey through serenity and nostalgia, into intimacy and reflection, culminating in remembrance and a renewed brightness.
The world-class Irish Chamber Orchestra enjoys a strong international reputation for creative programming, artistic excellence, and a bold, distinctive musical voice. Feel French Reverie moment by moment on Thursday June 19 at Whyte Recital Hall, RIAM, Dublin and on Friday June 20 at University Concert Hall (as part of the prestigious Limerick Summer Proms).