SWANSONG, MUSIC For Galway's 2019 midwinter festival, will feature works by Brahms, Beethoven, Ravel, and Fauré, composed towards the end of their lives.
Swansong takes place in the Town Hall Theatre from Friday January 18 to Sunday 20, and feature performances by leading Irish soprano Ailish Tynan, ConTempo, baritone Henk Neven, clarinettist Michael Collins, and pianist Leon McCawley.
The festival has been put together by pianist and Music for Galway artistic director Finghin Collins. "Swansong concludes a trilogy of festivals in which we set out to explore the artistic legacy of composers at different stages of their lives," he said. "I hope you enjoy the musical beauty of these final works which express those deep felt emotions that only intimations of mortality can evoke."
A total of 24 works will be performed, including ConTempo playing selections from The Art of Fugue by JS Bach; Ailish Tynan interpreting Richard Strauss' Four Last Songs; Finghin Collins performing Four Pieces for Piano by Brahms; and Henk Neven singing Schubert’s Schwanengesang.
There will also be a public interview with composer John Kinsella (Sunday January 20, 11am ), followed by a performance of his String Quartet No 5 from ConTempo; and a screening of the 1971 film Death in Venice, starring Dirk Bogarde and directed by Lucchino Visconti (Sunday 20, 7.30pm ).
Tickets range from €25 to €6, while a festival ticket is €100/90. Booking is via the Town Hall Theatre (091 - 569777, www,tht.ie ) or www.musicforgalway.ie
