Two of the top Irish musicians of their generation, violinist Elizabeth Cooney and pianist Finghin Collins, are to give a special recital in Holy Trinity Church, Westport, at 8pm this Sunday July 19.
The concert is presented by the organisers of the Westport Festival of Chamber Music and it hopes to give people a taste of the treats to come during the festival itself in mid-September.
The duo will perform sonatas for violin and piano by Schubert, Szymanowski, and Elgar.
The concert is part of a tour of seven venues, including Galway International Arts Festival and Clifden Arts Festival, as well as visits to Castletownsend, Listowel, Waterford, and the Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin.
The tour is funded by an Arts Council Touring Award and supported by RTÉ Lyric FM.
Cork born Elizabeth Cooney is now based in London. Her recent performances with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra in Cork and Waterford were sold out and reviewed as “passionate, sensuous, and the musical acrobatics are simply dazzling”.
She is to perform at the Aurora Prom at the Royal Albert Hall, London, in August.
From Dublin, Finghin Collins is fast becoming one of Ireland’s most important pianists. Since winning the 1999 Clara Haskil International Piano Competition he has performed as a soloist with top orchestras worldwide.
He is the artistic director of the New Ross Piano Festival and of Music for Galway.
The Westport Festival of Chamber Music takes place in venues around Westport from September 11 to 13, featuring Irish and international musicians.
Tickets for next weekend's recital, on Sunday July 19, cost €20 (family tickets available at the door ) and can booked by telephone at (087 ) 2809932 and in person in the Clew Bay Hotel. Tickets will also be available at the door on the night.
