Music for Galway (MfG ) is thrilled to announce what looks like the first season with audiences in attendance in three years. For its 41st International Concert Season 2022/23, artistic director Finghin Collins decided to put the focus on J.S. Bach: “Beethoven called him ‘the immortal god of harmony’ and it is no exaggeration to say that Bach has influenced every composer who followed him” says Mr Collins.
He continues: “Following a very moving performance of his Goldberg Variations during our 2021 Midwinter Festival we decided to explore Bach’s music throughout the concerts of the coming season”. The season opens with that very work performed by the very same performers – Dmitri Sitkovetsky’s arrangement of the Goldberg Variations for string trio.
As the season progresses MfG presents Bach’s instrumental music on baroque violin and harpsichord with Maya Homburger and Malcolm Proud, on modern violin with Tedi Papavrami, on guitar with Sean Shibe and on modern piano with Cédric Pescia. Each concert also features other composers who were influenced in a particular way by Bach.
In late March the Irish Baroque Orchestra conducted by Peter Whelan will treat MfG audiences to a glorious production of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion at Galway Cathedral.
Three of the concerts in the season will be repeated in County Galway. “MfG is joining the many cultural organisations who are striving to become more environmentally conscious in their activities. These repeats help us to achieve two goals, they make our activities more sustainable and they also help us to create new audiences for classical music. This is made possible with the support of Galway County Arts Office.” – says Anna Lardi, Executive Director of MfG.
But there is a lot more to savour in the new MfG season – in October, Finghin Collins features as soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra in the world premiere of Jane O’Leary’s new work ‘unfolding soundscapes’ for piano and orchestra, commissioned to celebrate Music for Galway’s 40thanniversary; October also sees the annual Emily Anderson Concert celebrating Beethoven and the work of three BA of Music students at University of Galway.
The Midwinter Festival in January focuses on music for the seasons, with works by Vivaldi, Piazzolla, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Schubert and many more. There will be a special focus on song repertoire, with a performance of Schubert’s Winterreise by German baritone Jochen Kupfer (making his Irish debut ) and songs celebrating autumn, spring and summer with Galway favourite Dutch soprano Lenneke Ruiten.
The lunchtime series continues, in association with Arts in Action at University of Galway, and provides a platform for a variety of Irish artists at all stages of their careers.
THE SEASON:
Thursday 29 September 8.00pm | Emily Anderson Concert Hall, University of Galway
Friday 30 September 8.00pm | Christ Church, Portumna
GOLDBERG TRIO
Alexander Sitkovetsky violin | Sergey Malov viola | Natalie Clein cello
BACH Goldberg Variations, trans. Dmitri Sitkovetsky
Tickets: €20 / €18 | Students (full-time ) €6 | MfG Friends €16
IN ASSOCIATION WITH GALWAY COUNTY COUNCIL ARTS OFFICE
Thursday 6 October 2022 8.00pm
Leisureland, Salthill
NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND FINGHIN COLLINS
National Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Montgomery conductor | Finghin Collins piano
Tickets: €30 / €27 | Students (full-time ) €10 | MfG Friends €26
IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Thursday 20 October 2022 8.00pm | Emily Anderson Concert Hall, University of Galway
Friday 21 October 2022 8.00pm| Ionad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh, Connemara
EMILY ANDERSON CONCERT
Rosanne Philippens violin | Zoltán Fejérvari piano
ELLISON HASSELL-CRAMER For Me (world premiere )
BEETHOVEN Violin Sonata No. 7 in C minor, Op. 30 No .2
LAURA HENEGHAN Rêvasser (world premiere )
BEETHOVEN Violin Sonata No. 8 in G major, Op. 30 No. 3
KATIE FEENEY Ballade (world premiere )
BEETHOVEN Violin Sonata No. 10 in G major, Op. 96
Tickets: €20.00 / €18 | Students (full-time ) €6 | MfG Friends €16
FRIDAY: IN ASSOCIATION WITH GALWAY COUNTY COUNCIL ARTS OFFICE
Thursday 3 November 8.00pm
An Taibhdhearc
LIVERPOOL QUARTET
Róisín Walters, violin | Sarah Hill, violin | Dani Sanxis, viola | Nick Byrne, cello
Tickets: €20 / €18 | Students (full-time ) €6 | MfG Friends €16
IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE NATIONAL STRING QUARTET FOUNDATION
Wednesday 23 November 8.00pm
St. Joseph’s Church, Presentation Road
MAYA HOMBURGER AND MALCOLM PROUD
Maya Homburger baroque violin | Malcolm Proud harpsichord
Tickets: €20 / €18 | Students (full-time ) €6 | MfG Friends €16
SPONSORED BY TIGH NEACHTAIN
Friday 20 to Sunday 22 January
Town Hall Theatre & Hardiman Hotel Ballroom
MIDWINTER FESTIVAL
SEASONS
Katharine Hunka violin/director | Irish Chamber Orchestra | Olga Scheps piano | Jochen Kupfer bass-baritone | Finghin Collins piano | Lenneke Ruiten soprano
Friday 20 January 8.00pm
Town Hall Theatre
IRISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA | Katharine Hunka violin/director
Saturday 21 January 6.00pm
Hardiman Hotel Ballroom
Olga Scheps piano
Saturday 21 January 9.00pm
Hardiman Hotel Ballroom
Jochen Kupfer bass-baritone | Finghin Collins piano
Sunday 22 January 3.00pm
Hardiman Hotel Ballroom, Eyre Square
CLOSING CONCERT AND RECEPTION
Lenneke Ruiten soprano | Finghin Collins piano
Tickets:
FRI 8pm - booking through the Town Hall Theatre - tht.ie | 091 569777: €30/€27 |Students (full time ) €10 | MfG Friends €26
SAT 6pm & 9pm & SUN 3pm (closing reception included ) – booking through musicforgalway.ie | 091 705962: €22/€20 |Students (full time ) €10 | MfG Friends €18
Festival Ticket (includes all 4 concerts ) - booking through musicforgalway.ie | 091 705962: €90/€81
Wednesday 15 February 8.00pm
St Joseph’s Church, Presentation Road
Tedi Papavrami violin
Tickets: €20.00 / €18 | Students (full-time ) €6 | MfG Friends €16
Sunday 5 March TBC | Kilcummin Church, Oughterard
Monday 6 March 8.00pm | Mick Lally Theatre, Galway
Sean Shibe, guitar
Tickets: €20.00 / €18 | Students (full-time ) €6 | MfG Friends €16
SUNDAY: IN ASSOCIATION WITH GALWAY COUNTY COUNCIL
Saturday 25 March 8.00pm
Galway Cathedral
Irish Baroque Orchestra: St. Matthew Passion BWV 244
James Way Evangelist| Sestina vocal ensemble | Irish Baroque Orchestra, Peter Whelan director
Tickets: €30/€27.00 |Students (full time ) €12 | MfG Friends €25
SPONSORED BY KPMG
Friday 7 April 5.00pm
St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church
Music for Good Friday
Collegium | Mark Duley director
Tickets: €18 / €16 | Students (full-time ) €6 | MfG Friends €14
ANONYMOUS SPONSOR
Thursday 27 April 8.00pm
Emily Anderson Concert Hall, University of Galway
Tickets: €20.00 / €18 | Students (full-time ) €6 | MfG Friends €16
SPONSORED BY THE SWISS EMBASSY
MfG Lunchtime Concerts
In Association with Arts in Action, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway
ADMISSION IS FREE
Wednesday 5 October 1.05pm
Emily Anderson Concert Hall, University of Galway
Brendan Garde violin | Gary Beecher piano
These two talented Cork musicians perform Brahms’ first violin sonata alongside a selection of shorter works.
Wednesday 26 October 1.05pm
O’Donoghue Centre, University of Galway
Cliona Doris harp | Sinéad Walsh flute | Fiachra de hOra viola
Two outstanding Irish students are mentored by harpist Cliona Doris to perform a programme of Bax and Debussy.
Wednesday 22 February 1.05 pm
Emily Anderson Concert Hall, University of Galway
Annette Cleary cello | Réamonn Keary piano | Barry McGovern narrator
Annette Cleary and Réamon Keary have collaborated to create a new arrangement of Enoch Arden by Richard Strauss - a melodrama for cello, piano and narrator on the poem by Tennyson.
Wednesday 29 March 1.05pm
The Cube, University of Galway
For the Atoll and other works
For the Atoll is a 45-minute poem and song cycle - with words written by Jane Robinson and
music composed by Malachy Robinson. Performed by the Far Flung Trio.
THE LUNCHTIME SERIES IS SUPPORTED BY SAP
