Rare sighting of Four Fagotti: Limerick Verdi Requiem

I am just back from playing for a wonderful Verdi Requiem in Limerick, closing a 49 year interval since the work was last performed there.  An impressive operation combined the forces of a terrific 100 strong  choir, four excellent soloists and a fifty strong orchestra under the  baton of Malcolm Green. It was a marvelous endeavour and wonderful to be part of it! Among the audience at the full house was Kieran O Gorman, director of the LCU from 1966-72 and who I believe was at the helm when the work was last performed by the ensemble.

I was amazed to see lined up behind my desk, like some rare alignment of planets, four of that rare and slender reed-the bassoon, adding a double strength  darkness to the rich orchestral palette. There is nothing like bassoons to strike a mood of  'wrath, calamity and misery'. I am sending a special round of virtual applause to the fine quartet, Michael Dooley, Keith Sutherland, Arthur Fallon and Michael Sexton.   If that wasn't excitement enough, a triumph of no less than eight trumpets led by the formidable Sharon Brookes  blew the cobwebs out of the UCH rafters with a 'marvelous scattering of sound'

Bassoons warm up at LCU rehearsal

On bassoon matters, I note that one  of tonight''s quartet, Michael Dooley will feature as soloist in a Mozart Concert at the UL Summer Proms on May 9th continuing a trend of showcasing less frequently heard instruments from this ensemble conducted by Liam Daly.

http://www.limerickpost.ie/2015/04/06/five-decades-to-verdis-requiem/

Bassoon: The dark side of the wind: Michael Dooley 

Good Grief: Limerick Choral Union Easter Concert

Spirestone Mary Coll, Fiona Linnane

Che Faro  Gluck   sung by Sarah Ellen Murphy

It is ennough  Mendelssohn   Gyula Nagy

Laudate Dominum Mozart    Franzita Whelan 

Stabat Mater  Verdi             tenor Julian Hubard 

Requiem  Mozart  

Good Friday marked a milestone in an epic music  project in Limerick.   One hundred and fifty musicians and singers took to the UCH stage to perform a programme resonant with the grief laden day that was in it.  The concert by Limerick Choral Union and Orchestra marked 50 years of consistently adding to the cultural soundscape of Limerick- a remarkable achievement. I was privileged to be in the orchestra for the occasion and witnessed the final stages of the resurrection of  these sacred gems for  a full house in Limerick's largest auditorium. The evening opened with a new work by Fiona Linnane and Mary Coll prefacing  a selection of of Classical and Romantic choral pieces under conductor Malcolm Green. Mozart's Requiem is familiar to me from the movie, Amadeus and it was exciting  to finally get a chance to get inside the work as a musician.

LCU Conductor Malcolm Green in rehearsal with soprano Franzita Whelan

Over the years, LCU concerts have given Limerick audiences an opportunity to hear singers in the early stages of their professional careers alongside  more seasoned performers. On Friday we heard the much lauded soprano, Franzita Whelan with one of Limerick's own  favourite performers, Sarah Ellen Murphy. New kids on the block were two singers from the Opera Theatre Company stable.  Hungarian baritone, Gyula Nagy is one of the current crop of Young Associate Artists and English tenor, Julian Hubbard will feature in the cast of the Weills political opera, Rise and Fall of the City of Mahogany which comes to the Olympia stage in June as part of a collaboration between OTC and  Rough Magic Theatre Company.

No shelter under City of Culture Umbrellla for LCU

Given that the endeavour ticked   many cultural boxes, engaging truckloads of local performers and offering a quality programme at modest cost ,a platform for professional singers, airing of new work by a local composer etc, it was surprising that the concert was not included on the programme of the City of Culture. I have commented here before about the lack of print media attention of main stream classical events in Limerick but it seems surprising to see this well organised and hard working outfit marginalized by a local cultural initiative in a year when they might have benefited from the head wind of such  an acknowledgement. You can read a local press piece here

** Despite an busy international and national career, it was my first time to hear Franzita Whelan who is one of select group to have represented Ireland in the Cardiff singer of the World competition (2001).  She was given a most  favourable mention in a letter to the Irish Times back in 2005, which must have had the RTE musicians squirming.  I often use this in my pre-concert pep talks for my students. You can read that  letter, 'NSO and Beethoven'  below.  Judging by the audience response, it seems that the ladies and gentlemen of Limerick Choral Union and our soloists on this occasion know very well the difference between playing and performing and hopefully will continue to do so long after the dust settles on the  City of Culture hoopla.

listen to ‘Limerick Choral Union’ on Audioboo

Last minute of concert followed by sustained applause from 1min in.

    The NSO and Beethoven - Letter to the editor Irish Times 17th May 2005

Madam, - What is the matter with the National Symphony Orchestra? It takes hard work to make Beethoven's ninth symphony sound dull, but there were moments in last Friday's performance which were almost torpor inducing.

The orchestra looked bored and this attitude was more than reflected in the music. Matters were not helped by poor co-ordination and a horn section that at times struggled to hit the higher notes with any semblance of accuracy. The soloists, with the sole exception of Franzita Whelan, looked glum; Ms Whelan at least looked as if she were singing an ode to joy.

The evening was redeemed only by the magnificent singing of the choir who, apart from Ms Whelan, looked as if they were the only people on stage who were actually enjoying themselves. They deserved their standing ovation, which is more than can be said for their accompanists.

Next time the Bavarian Radio Orchestra is in town, the members of the NSO should be made to sit in the front rows in order that they can observe the difference between playing and performing. - Yours, etc.,

FRANK BANNISTER,
Morehampton Terrace,
Dublin 4

Related Posts

http://cathydesmond.blogspot.ie/2011/12/limericks-handel-for-president.html

http://cathydesmond.blogspot.ie/2010/12/limerick-chorale-union-christmas.html

http://cathydesmond.blogspot.ie/2012/04/letter-to-editor-irish-times.html

http://cathydesmond.blogspot.ie/2012/04/german-requiem-in-castletroy-auf.html

http://cathydesmond.blogspot.ie/2010/04/music-of-grief-stabat-mater.html

White House Poetry Night Limerick

By John Hartery

In the heart of Limerick City but a million miles away from the politics and big budgets of the City of Culture there's a timeless tradition going about its business  in the White House pub.

 A bunch of writers gather to read their work to each other and to those who are there just to listen.

An impromptu running order is developed. The poets proceed to the stage when called and recite their own work or that of others.

Last week there were poems of loss, violence, a very funny one about Elvis still hiding out in Limerick and one as gaeilge. For the week that was in it, the Percy French poem about the Queen's After Dinner Speech was given an excellent airing.

Interestingly, some read from dog-eared copybooks, some from those new-fangled, pesky smart phones and others recited from memory.

The event is free you can buy a drink at the bar and there's complimentary hot snacks thrown in. 

Bravo to all involved and long may it run.

You can read a report on their  bard brethren the Three Legged Stool Poets  from across the Shannon here 

Cantate Domino: Sacred Music Week at the Crescent, Limerick

'If that's what heaven is going to be like, I want to there' declared one satisfied listener following the opening concert of a week of  concerts at the Sacred Heart Church in the Crescent, Limerick. Stepping inside the recently reopened church,  I wondered at first if I had stepped into a dress rehearsal for the Sound of Music  given the presence  of nuns in old fashioned habits complete with starched wimples . The church was purchased last August by an Italian religious community  dedicated to traditional forms of liturgy who have taken on the task of restoring the former Jesuit church which is back in use after seven years . Further details from the Irish Times here .

Local award winning* chamber choir An Cór  under conductor Cecilia Madden presented a programme of sacred music from Renaissance to Romantic periods. Cecilia Madden and Chloe Heslin offered a Purcell chaconne as a instrumental interlude. There was an leaning towards French repertoire with pieces by Duruflé, Guonod and Fauré included in a programme.

The series continues nightly at 8pm concluding with an organ recital on Monday evening by tonight's accompanist, Abbé Matthew Walter who adds further to the considerable pool of organists in the Limerick area between two cathedrals, Glenstal Abbey and the Redemptorist church to name just a few venues. Organ fans may like to note the next concerts from the Irish Chamber Orchestra are titled Steeplechase and will feature the instrument in various churches. The Limerick concert takes place in St Mary's Cathedral on Thursday 16th May and features organist of St Mary's Cathedral, Peter Barley 

*An Cór were awarded Best Sacred Music Choir and Best Limerick at the 2013 Limerick Choral Festival.

An Cor Chamber Choir

Song of Songs at Mount St Alphonsus

Composer Patrick Hawes talks about his choral work Song of Songs

MIC Choral Society Spring Concert at Redemptorist Church, Limerick
Song of Songs  Patrick Hawes
Requiem          John Rutter
Soloist             Carmel Conway 

The Redemptorist Church  was filled with a hush  of quiet anticipation with a hint of apprehension at the all modern programme chosen by choirmaster, Paul Collins  for the annual concert of the Mary Immaculate Choral Society. The ensemble was augmented by the Redemptorist Church Choir and accompanied by the Limerick Baroque Players. While Rutter is a familiar name in choral music, Patrick Hawes was new  to me .  The  Song of Songs were beautiful tonal settings of six texts of love poetry selected from the Old Testament, 'expressing desire. hope , confusion and joy'. It was almost but not quite the Irish premiere of the work published in 2009**. I note that the composer himself  conducted the work with the Louth Choral Society earlier this month . Review here 
The harp was placed in a central position splitting  the string orchestra in half  making a visually pleasing tableau. Soprano,  Carmel Conway's voice soared effortlessly to the higher registers above the sparse string lines and there was some lovely duets between Ken Rice on  violin and soprano.
The Requiem  by John Rutter was written in memory of the composer's father and first performed in 1985 . Of the seven movements, the setting of the psalm 130, De Profundis was particularly striking  The influence of the English Romantic tradition was heard in  the cello solo  played with great feeling by Tara-Lee Byrne which  struck the sombre tone before the choir crept in with the words -Out of the Deep.

The choir delivered the texts with a good range of dynamics and a satisfying firmness of attack in the rhythmic sections and the tone sounded rich in this acoustic. The audience lingered for a quite a while to savour the evening . The concert was introduced by Fr Adrian Egan who reminded the congregation that the occasion  was one of reflection and dedication to mark 150th anniversary of the opening of the  Redemptorist Church.



** Correction.  Mea Culpa. I assumed that the concert referred to in the article was  a concert from Louth Contemporary Music Society, Ireland which has a track record of programming major contemporary composers . I was mistaken and I am grateful to the composer for the clarification that the concert referred to  took place in Louth in Lincolnshire and not in Leinster as assumed . And indeed the event on Sunday was the Irish premiere of the work , Song of Songs by Patrick Hawes and all the more auspicious for that.

Enjoyed playing lovelyviola part of @patrickhawes beautiful choral work Song of Songs in Redemptorist Church #Limerick #Irishpremiere
— Fidleir (@fidleir) April 22, 2013

Who we met :   We enjoyed talking to Bernadette Kiely , director of music at St John's Cathedral about the music selected for the recent episcopal events and tenor Stephen O Shea on the forthcoming 50th anniversary of the Limerick Choral Union.

Related posts MIC Spring Concert 2012

View from the Viola 

     

Hungarian Maestro in Limerick:Takacs Nagy with ICO

Symphony No 15 G major K.124  Mozart
Symphony No 44 E minor 'Trauer'  Haydn 
Carmen Suite                    Bizet/Rodion Schedrin             

It has been ages  since I've heard the Irish Chamber Orchestra but free of commitments on Thurday  I joined the reasonably full house at University Concert Hall Limerick for a programme of Classical symphonies and a ballet suite based on melodies from Carmen . And very fine it all was too. While you can be sure that the playing will be first class from the ICO, a particular draw on this occasion was the chance to see and hear the charismatic Hungarian conductor, Gabor Takacs Nagy. After several decades at the helm of his eponymous string quartet, he has changed roles and is tipped  as being one to watch for a plum conducting positions with one pf the major London symphony orchestras. So far he seems happy to practice his art with smaller ensembles outside the capital and is working with premier chamber ensembles, Manchester Camerata and now in a new role as 'Artistic Partner' with the Irish Chamber Orchestra. (The Takacs String Quartet still exists now based in the US with two of the original members in the line up )

As if in an effort to make a connection with the audience from the outset, the tall and slim Hungarian , made his entrance  from front of house and first addressed the audience reprising some of his remarks made at a pre show dinner address.  His voice didn't project  quite enough to carry effectively to the higher levels of the house and that aspect of the performance didn't add value for me seated at the back of the stalls. You can catch a flavour of his style  in the video below. In his expressive conducting gestures he  radiates a sense of energy  and a most genial personality that is very appealing.  In the Mozart and Haydn symphonies, he drew a performance  marked with precision and contrasts from the Irish Chamber Orchestra. I have rarely heard such hushed pianissimos and the reading of the Haydn  brought out the dramatic elements of the work.. Unusually the two oboes were placed in the hot seats  right in front of the conductor and the Haydn was performed without a keyboard continuo part.
The percussion players were the star turn in the fabulous Camen Suite by Russian composer Chedrin .  A group of five players including the experienced Noel Eccles and rising star Alex Petcu fanned out across the stage enclosing the orchestra. adding lashings of sparkle to the rich and sonorous string sound  . I specially liked the marimba duet. Shorn of  the distraction of voices and stage sets, just how resilient and numerous  are those Bizet's melodies  was apparent in this reworking for the composer's ballerina wife who Takacs Nagy informed us had last danced to the work at age 61!  Hope for us all yet.   -And the very best way to finish-, the longest silence  before applause and a deserved standing ovation.

Venue Notes I went along to the pre show dinner  in the  elegant period dining room of Plassey House. The Hungarian maestro gave a  charming  pre dinner address  before departing to prepare for the concert .   He opened with an anecdote about his first trip to Limerick in the 70's as a member of the acclaimed eponymous string quartet .  He spoke animatedly  about his approach to the task of conducting and of course complimented the players of the  ICO.  Opportunities to meet the performers are welcome.  Open rehearsals, pre concert talks and post show signings extend  the concert experience.  Entertainers /artists in the commercial world know the value of meeting and greeting their audience and the show ain't over 'til the post show hand shakes and signing are done. However as in the NCH last week, UCH does not encourage patrons to dally . Why not open the cafe  and/or bar for a period after the show and even engage in a little merchandising. The ICO like any recording artist has CDs to sell  after all .




Related articles
http://cathydesmond.blogspot.ie/2011/02/upstairs-downstairs-ico-and-showband.html

Friday night Late and Live in Limerick

Limerick has a new theatre space, The Lime Tree, located on the Mary Immaculate College campus on the outskirts of the city. I caught the second act of  the Cecilian Musical Society's   of West Side Story at the venue on Friday night.  On first impressions, the venue seems relatively narrow with quite a steep rake in two tiers. I was a teeny bit disappointed that the generous comfy upholstery was in fact  tangerine and not green  with blue wooden paneled walls enclosing the space. I loved the high seat backs.

Sitting at the back I can report that the view was good and the sound was remarkably good. The amplification was very subtle and all voices and musical timbres could be heard perfectly. The pit band under MD Noel Lennon made a nice tableau glimpsed from top of the house . 

The audience lingered a while in the  foyer to greet the performers. Like UCH I feel the venue falls down in creating a convivial apres show atmosphere.  Refreshments are not available and it is a bit of a trot to the nearest hostelry. While the venue is a very comfortable one for performers and audience alike, I wonder what the impact of the space will have on the activity in other spaces in the city and if there is quite enough 'product' to  fill theatre spaces at UCH, LIT and indeed at the Belltable Arts Centre in the city centre. 

Following the show I called in to Dolan's on Dock Road. I enjoyed the last half hour of  singer songwriter, Mark Geary's set upstairs at Dolan's on Dock Road. Geary is not a performer I have heard of  but he was very easy to listen to and had a relaxed easy rapport with  the  audience of 30 plus patrons   He was supported by singer Grainne Hunt and pianist Mark Kenny. There was a turn from Keith Kelly on harmonica.  Perfect late night fare

Albert Niland upstairs at Dolans



Albert Niland with Dave Carey at Dolans

 Albert Niland is currently doing a short Irish tour and as we had missed him at the  Island Music Club, Clare  we made the expedition to Dolans for a midweek gig.  He was supported by fellow Galwegian,  Ultan Connolly who sounded pleasant although we just heard a little of him.

Albert, looking like a  actor from a  French Cop movie  bounded on stage,  plugged in his Spanish guitar and  served up a flamenco infused set of very attractive songs to energetic and skilful guitar accompaniment holding his guitar mariachi style high up against his chest . I particularly enjoyed the 1930's  World War 2 anthem  (I'll Be Seeing You  Sammy Fain and Irving Kamal ) with his improvisational guitar style adding  a distinctive stamp, making the rendition very much his own and unlike any of the many other covers. 

Limerick Chorale Union Christmas Baroque Favourites 2010

 Limerick Choral Union and Orchestra 



'Your 5 minute call ladies' .

 Conductor Malcolm  Greene 

Hungarian Cello Duo Livia and Peter

   Soprano Mary O'Sullivan
 Mezzo Soprano Pauline Frizelle
Bass Eunan MacDonald

Vivaldi Magnificat
Bach Cantata 140 Wachet Auf Bach
Vivaldi Magnificat
Handel Zadok the Priest
Handel Arrival of Queen of Sheeba
Bach Jesu Joy
Handel Halleluia Chorus

Limerick Choral Union gave its' annual Christmas performance at UCH Limerick last week on 9th December.  It was a warm and convivial evening and there was  the usual full house for the annual Christmas offering of this large choir. I always enjoy playing for this well organised outfit and the choir sounded well.  I most enjoyed playing the Bach canata   a work I knew well as it was on  my school music syllabus  back in 79 ( Who can forget Leo McKern and the Lloyds Bank TV ad; yes, the one with the black 'horse outside'! ) I have not had much opportunity to play a complete cantata and the music is glorious. More of these Malcolm please! The soloists are splendid and husband and wife team Eunan and aptly named Mary, clearly expecting a happy event add a Nativity air to the proceedings

The oboe section shine tonight , Peter and young Lucas who I remember  hearing in a youth orchestra about 5 years ago when he must have been about 10 or 11 and being impressed by. I was glad to meet John Daly of the eponymous Big Band who was on timps tonight. Livia on continuo  is the lynchpin of the string section for this repertoire and  Oonaghs solo violin obligato    aound  soprano and bass vocal lines in the third movement  aria of the cantata is beautiful .
An exciting year ahead, it seems for the LCU with plans to play with Karl Jenkins and I am looking forward to Mendelssohn's Eli,jah in April.


Viola duo Me and Joacim



                                                   Cello Warm Up Exercises
 

Oboe Duo Peter and Lucas





Oboe warm up exercises



Marion Ingoldsby PDST workshop

 I attended  a workshop aimed at  developing  the creative use of  singing in the classroom  scheduled at the new Academy of  Music Building at UL . Although the evening was foul, I set off and was just in time to hear Steve McFarlane and Anne Barry deliver an excellent workshop based on specially commissioned songs by Marion Ingoldsby and  introduced by Professor Mícheál  O Suilleabhain . The songs are charming  based on nursery rhymes and verses by Christina Rosetti and could work well  with senior primary  and post primary students . Anne demonstrated suitable teaching strategies including vocal warm ups, body percussion and  Curwen hand gestures  to a large attendance .  It is always a pleasure to listen to highly competent teachers  and communicators clearly passionate about their topic and eager to share their skills. It was good to meet Carol Daly and Martin Barrett of Co. Cork VEC and Sharon Brooks of Shannon Comprehensive .