Music and Reviews from Clare, Limerick, Waterford and sometimes further afield

Friday, June 7, 2013

Classical Thursday Recital Series Launched at St Columbas'

Rev Bob Hanna  Irina Dernova and Helen Houlihan at Bindon Street


'Larks high overhead lost in light, and singing; That's the way of June'. With these lovely lines from Quilter's art song, June, soprano Helen Houlihan drew the first Summer recital at St Columba's, Ennis  to a close, a project initiated by the singer to enhance  the Clare Classical music scene and to provide a platform for emerging talent alongside experienced professional artists.

  Opening with standard repertoire by Schubert, the soprano moved on to a less often heard trio of songs by Brahms. The serene mood of the opening  Sonntag, contrasting with the playful mood of Vergebliches Standchen - a futile serenade. The whiff of exotic far flung lands was evoked in a piano piece by Spanish composer Granados played by Irina Dernova. Houlihan was perhaps at her best in the French chansons d'amour by Reynaldo Hahn, clearly relishing the expressive French lines.

With the summer sunshine illuminating the stained glass windows of the Victorian church, this sunny Romantic repertoire was a  very suitable and welcome musical offering to the Ennis Summer music scene. Helen Houlihan has worked harder and more consistently than most  to promote bel canto singing in Clare. She brings her artistry, a remarkable enthusiasm and  a degree of glamour to the platforms she has carved out for herself and new emerging talents over recent years. We say brava and thank you to her . 








The series continues with further recital by Owen Gilhooly, Edel O'Brien, Elena McLeod, Ruth Kelly and Helen Houlihan . The next recital will be by Edel O Brien on 20th June.


Set List
Fruhlingsglaube Schubert
An Die Musik        "
Sonntag                 Brahms 
Dein Blaues Auge          "
Vergebliches Standchen    "

Piano Solo Oriental from 12 Spanish Dances Granados

A Chloris     Hahn 
A'Enamourée   Hahn
Tyndaris      Hahn

The Fuschia Tree              Quilter
Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal  Quilter
June                          Quilter



Related articles  Soltice Day Carols at St Columbas'

                     Songs for a Summer Evening 










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