The programme, which Music Network is presenting in collaboration with 14 partner promoters around Ireland, features a quartet of masterful cellists, awe-inspiring Americana and a spectacular performance by two of Ireland’s outstanding young classical musicians. Audiences can also look forward to two new Music Network commissions, artist interviews and composer insight sessions, all available to enjoy from home.
Tickets can be purchased for the performances on Music Network’s Onjam.tv channel, as well as on a range of online platforms and dates hosted by Music Network’s nationwide partners Belltable (Limerick), Garter Lane Theatre (Waterford), glór (Ennis), Ionad Cultúrtha (Baile Mhuirne), Linenhall Arts Centre (Castlebar), Music in Kilkenny, National Opera House (Wexford), Riverbank Arts Centre (Newbridge), Siamsa Tíre (Tralee), St. John's Theatre & Arts Centre (Listowel), The Courthouse Arts Centre (Tinahely), The Dock (Carrick-on-Shannon) and Waterford Music.
Audiences are encouraged to support their local venues and tickets cost €10 (booking fee may apply). For more information, or to book visit: musicnetwork.ie.
Commenting on the announcement, Music Network’s CEO Sharon Rollston said: "We are thrilled to present this series of three digital tours featuring world-class musicians based both in Ireland and internationally. Filmed in Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin and The Station Inn, Nashville, Tennessee, the concerts provide musicians with a very welcome opportunity to perform for audiences across Ireland and further afield.
"As attending your local live music venue is still not an option just yet, Music Network is committed to providing inspirational and uplifting live music experiences for music lovers to enjoy at home.”
The series begins on 12th May with a new Music Network collaboration between four masterful cellists, William Butt, Rosalie Curlett, Martin Johnson and Ailbhe McDonagh. Guided by their collective musical influences, the cellists have crafted an inspirational and varied programme which celebrates the beauty of their instrument. Audiences can look forward to marvellous arrangements of works by Bach, Beethoven and Bartók, Mozart’s beautiful Ave Verum Corpus, a fiery exchange between two cellos in Barrière’s popular Sonata in G Major, Debussy’s uber-romantic Clair de Lune and Gershwin’s jazz-infused favourite ‘Summertime’. Contemporary music for this unusual combination is well catered for in Ailbhe McDonagh’s own Cellango and An Autumn Night’s Dream, a new Music Network commission by composer Conor Linehan.
10 String Symphony featuring Rachel Baiman (fiddle, banjo, vocals) and Christian Sedelmyer (fiddle, vocals) will hit our screens from 26th May. These are musicians whose roots are firmly in the old-timey Americana tradition, but whose musical explorations take them fearlessly into the present and beyond, creating songs and sound worlds that are immediate and compelling. Although they are just two in number, their sound and impact is massively amplified by their bright and brilliant use of technology and clever arrangements. Originally billed to tour Ireland in 2020, this is one digital concert that is not to be missed.
Regarded as two of Ireland’s most outstanding young musicians, international award-winning violinist Patrick Rafter joins forces with highly acclaimed pianist and former NCH Rising Star Fiachra Garvey for a stunning programme of music from 16th June. This dynamic duo will perform César Franck’s romantic Sonata in A major, Eugène Ysaÿe’s intimate Poème élégiaque and Gabriel Fauré’s beautiful Après un Rêve. Viewers will also have the opportunity to see the premiere performance of To turn in Circles, a new Music Network commission by acclaimed composer Emma O’Halloran.
As part of the classical tours, audiences can also enjoy interviews with the musicians, hosted by Music Network’s CEO Sharon Rollston, and composers Conor Linehan and Emma O’Halloran will introduce their new works with short Composer Insight Sessions.