Elegant airs from Eire
- Source: Global Times
- [11:23 July 05 2010]
- Comments
Conductor Derek Gleeson. Photos: Courtesy of Shanghai Grand Theater
By Nick Muzyczka
The Shanghai Grand Theater is to host an unusual concert which combines Irish traditional and symphonic music. Conducted by Derek Gleeson, the Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra (DPO) will come to Shanghai tomorrow night as part of its 9th performance tour of Asia. It will be joined by some acclaimed Irish soloists, including Celine Byrne (soprano) and Cora Venus Lunny (violin).
The concert will also feature a number of stars from the world of traditional Irish music, including Athena Tergis (Irish fiddle), Aidan O'Brien (uilleann pipe, Irish flute, whistles, banjo, guitar) and Peadar Townsend (percussion). The program is a varied and interesting mix, with the first half dedicated to contemporary Irish symphonic music and works by European composers.
"We try to give opportunities to Irish contemporary composers to have their works performed. For instance, in our 48-city tour of America last year, we had contributions from over 15 composers. There was a specific intention to join traditional Irish music with the symphony orchestra," said Glesson.
Included in the first half is a piece entitled Voyage, which was specially commissioned for this tour. It was created by Yoko Hamabe Wylegala, a Japanese composer with a genuinely international background.
Wylegala has lived in Mexico, Peru, Cuba, Berlin, the US and now resides in Hong Kong, where she is a PhD candidate at the University of Hong Kong.
Gleeson believes that Wylegala's internationalism is very much reflected in the music she writes.
"I personally heard the world premiere of her saxophone concerto at the Berlin Philharmonie and it was this experience that led me to consider her as the composer to join elements of Chinese and Irish music in an overture for this tour. In that regard, she has produced a work that is quite unique," he said.
There will also be performances of works by Jonathan Casey, Andreja Malir, Patrick Cassidy, Michael Fleming, Peadar Townsend, Dvorak, Catalani and Sarasate. Soloists Celine Byrne and Cora Venus Lunny feature on many of these pieces.
Celine Byrne has been making her mark on international operatic and concert stages and is considered a world-class lyric voice. She has received many awards, including the 2007 Maria Callas Grand Prix in Athens.
Cora Venus Lunny has established herself as one of Ireland's leading violinists. Her extensive contemporary/classical repertoire has taken her to Russia, Asia, the US and throughout Europe, collaborating with renowned musicians from many different genres.
After the interval, the audience will be treated to performances from Frankie Gavin and his internationally celebrated group De Dannan, who will be supported by the DPO in a number of pieces. Frankie Gavin is widely considered to be the world's greatest Irish fiddle player and one of the genuine legends of Irish music.
Frankie Gavin and De Dannan have previously supported the Rolling Stones, performed with the UAE. Philharmonic Orchestra in Dubai, performed with the DPO during a tour to the US and performed at White House for former President George W. Bush.
Gavin has also performed and recorded with Earl Scruggs, Stephane Grapelli and Sir Yehudi Menuhin.
The DPO's conductor, Derek Gleeson, began his career as a percussionist performing with major symphony orchestras across Europe.
"This experience as a percussion player in an orchestra gives me insight into the psychology of the orchestral members, which can be complex," Gleeson said. "Playing under many conductors has afforded me an insight into the variety of methods available," he added.
Gleeson has conducted/recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Bourgas State Opera, Orchestra da Camera Fiorentina (Italy), and the Anna Livia Dublin International Opera Festival.
