tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74915697105077057292024-03-13T20:06:24.794+00:00Cathy's ReviewsReviews and musings on music and arts events in the Clare, Limerick & Waterford regions & occasionally further afieldCathy Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032146147358267682noreply@blogger.comBlogger61213tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491569710507705729.post-41366284606719897632023-08-11T10:01:00.013+01:002023-08-11T19:19:34.543+01:00Celebrating Canadian Connections on the Keys at New Ross<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKVv7eitatiUn5O6NB8O28D1oSHt-wB3PHaa_CHMm6A_aWHRQp_d5Itt3oor9TKh39iUYQa1LWFTozoD0hIWIdYxBRQjCB905XGhDwizajQze5h52TVEZOTzK_TwrXDFKQ-Jk8UsG2yaT7QWOTKvqZRrf5pVgxYjDWl7EFSZccbP-TataTlqZeVtUYTL_/s258/NRPF.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="195" data-original-width="258" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKVv7eitatiUn5O6NB8O28D1oSHt-wB3PHaa_CHMm6A_aWHRQp_d5Itt3oor9TKh39iUYQa1LWFTozoD0hIWIdYxBRQjCB905XGhDwizajQze5h52TVEZOTzK_TwrXDFKQ-Jk8UsG2yaT7QWOTKvqZRrf5pVgxYjDWl7EFSZccbP-TataTlqZeVtUYTL_/w367-h195/NRPF.jpg" width="367" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>A grand piano on a Tall Ship! I was in the riverside town New Ross in Co Wexford for the launch of the 2023 New Ross Piano Festival. The hook for this year's programme is the local connection to Canada and there is a special emphasis on the work of Rachmaninov on a significant anniversary.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOQYHd3dVSdzA-MMGdTa9tSj5wOUAPqEJlvO8leIahQAx8s2zbrhRPoqdJdN2wgow6X3hU1YtxcMWlrlAswkHWbkpziNcP6DVEUvlDW2Og5Yn5jyvzzRlF-tMh-X7AJI0Z_T96yXKIETgnZdQiuyPSKiYZYqtwYjlqMrr1xUdwt6oz683-hrzjbEXL7HT/s341/Dunbrody.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="148" data-original-width="341" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOQYHd3dVSdzA-MMGdTa9tSj5wOUAPqEJlvO8leIahQAx8s2zbrhRPoqdJdN2wgow6X3hU1YtxcMWlrlAswkHWbkpziNcP6DVEUvlDW2Og5Yn5jyvzzRlF-tMh-X7AJI0Z_T96yXKIETgnZdQiuyPSKiYZYqtwYjlqMrr1xUdwt6oz683-hrzjbEXL7HT/w400-h174/Dunbrody.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The special guest was the Irish ambassador to Canada, Eamonn McKee. The ambassador spoke eloquently on the story of the Irish in Canada. McKee made the point that while the story of the Irish in America is well documented, the story of the Irish in Canada is relatively untouched. He whetted our appetites to know more about figures like Tadhg O Brennan, the first known Irishman in Canada, John Palliser a Dubliner who led a scientific exploration of the prairies and the waves of Irish influencers that shaped Canada's history. You can read more about this fascinating subject in this piece by McKee <a href="Fifty Irish Lives in Canada: It’s Complicated and That’s Great">Fifty Irish Lives in Canada: It's Complicated and That's Great.</a></p><h1 class="entry-title" style="border: 0px; clear: both; line-height: 33px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></h1><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4hZa_fhUpmAUpvnydOY96JknMvgFr5TSOo70yRL9YfpkRiXInBwFIKOE6IjqkkfwD3_QtuEvC2sDr9s2LWBzcTqZBSCsmNZ9NPlrNhlB_yDzuCmylmIx3a9q-Z5EzZlUAuFbmVge3QjqAqtZuR3RZdv9Amy-zxT4iFH_n1dHjTS_U9LL25K8WbxH8btv/s2048/McKee.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4hZa_fhUpmAUpvnydOY96JknMvgFr5TSOo70yRL9YfpkRiXInBwFIKOE6IjqkkfwD3_QtuEvC2sDr9s2LWBzcTqZBSCsmNZ9NPlrNhlB_yDzuCmylmIx3a9q-Z5EzZlUAuFbmVge3QjqAqtZuR3RZdv9Amy-zxT4iFH_n1dHjTS_U9LL25K8WbxH8btv/w282-h320/McKee.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ambassador to Canada Eamonn McKee</td></tr></tbody></table>Having exhausted the Ros Tapestry idea with 15 pieces commissioned, one for each panel, artistic director Finghin Collins has turned to another notable feature of New Ross, the Dunbrody Famine Ship. The original 19 century ship, he explained was commissioned by the Graves family and built in Canada and sailed between New Ross and St Laurence until it ran aground in 1873. This year, two new pieces inspired by the original Dunbrody and its replica, will be heard at the Friday night concert; one by Irish composer , Marian Ingoldsby and one by Canadian composer, Francois Vallieres. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal">There is much to tempt music lovers to the New Ross Piano Festival. Jazz fans are catered for with various events on Thursday. An event with words and music drawn from the music and writing of Rachmaninov is a novel feature on this year's programme. To round off the launch Collins sat at the piano and played a Chopin Ballade with his usual panache. Great music, eloquent words, wine and food and the rain held off. Hats off to the hard working committee who amazingly have kept this super festival going in for 17 years. <br /></p><a href="www.newrosspianofestival.com ">www.newrosspianofestival.com </a><div><br /></div><div>Previous blog posts on NRPF</div><div> <a href="http://cathydesmond.blogspot.com/2015/09/10-years-of-piano-magic-in-new-ross.html">http://cathydesmond.blogspot.com/2015/09/10-years-of-piano-magic-in-</a></div><div><a href="http://cathydesmond.blogspot.com/2015/09/10-years-of-piano-magic-in-new-ross.html">new-ross.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://cathydesmond.blogspot.com/2017/09/hungarian-feast-on-famine-ship-new-ross.html">https://cathydesmond.blogspot.com/2017/09/hungarian-feast-on-famine-ship-new-ross.html</a></div><div><a href="https://cathydesmond.blogspot.com/2018/10/round-up.html">https://cathydesmond.blogspot.com/2018/10/round-up.html</a> 13 Years of NRPF</div><div> <br /><div><br /></div><div>#newross, newrosspianofestival, #marianingoldsby, FinghinCollins, Canada, <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="www.newrosspianofestival.com "><br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="www.newrosspianofestival.com "><br /></a></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQhzb0qEnVOGr038BS0znRLXa2Iw6On8WRudf_hFn3XVRUYWQtSdP6IsBD9iF6PMMfMSOHZS-xPyMqjlud8nviqoATcH5IxFziEA66XTZ2bykkmae5sl-Mv3mrTPny6NLL51spLr_EqFYU5H6DNmlbEVSsm7m-jcr4JRAUfyfR9JNMbMKYD611fXq4N7K/s2048/NRPF%20Colli%20ns.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQhzb0qEnVOGr038BS0znRLXa2Iw6On8WRudf_hFn3XVRUYWQtSdP6IsBD9iF6PMMfMSOHZS-xPyMqjlud8nviqoATcH5IxFziEA66XTZ2bykkmae5sl-Mv3mrTPny6NLL51spLr_EqFYU5H6DNmlbEVSsm7m-jcr4JRAUfyfR9JNMbMKYD611fXq4N7K/w300-h400/NRPF%20Colli%20ns.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Director Finghin Collins</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.cathydesmondstringschool@gmail.com</div>Cathy Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032146147358267682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491569710507705729.post-53840955478017128472022-09-14T13:57:00.009+01:002022-09-14T21:43:51.957+01:0060th Birthday Recital:Melodies of the Silver Screen<p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWxVZqsBOpWQZwd98K32bKmUhjPpXFjTz86H7iBOLnY7zitRy1MJfSwQuiphdnPqtR8DOPfG9BXmdlwAVgvvpGZMw4d1X-U8k63SITNtxpdjb4o1-EqtuWQ2xy6tSXHi_ZaMOPc-SBoDpcgmUjw7BU5R5HIXv-nUbPfOboNK-V2vVC3oBRy9tA9m8Rw/s3505/Cathy%20Violin%20Poster.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3505" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWxVZqsBOpWQZwd98K32bKmUhjPpXFjTz86H7iBOLnY7zitRy1MJfSwQuiphdnPqtR8DOPfG9BXmdlwAVgvvpGZMw4d1X-U8k63SITNtxpdjb4o1-EqtuWQ2xy6tSXHi_ZaMOPc-SBoDpcgmUjw7BU5R5HIXv-nUbPfOboNK-V2vVC3oBRy9tA9m8Rw/w356-h266/Cathy%20Violin%20Poster.jpg" width="356" /></a><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: left;">What a privilege to arrive at the start another decade. My 7th! A nudge to get on and do the things that one most enjoys. To mark my 60th birthday, I gave a recital of my favourite music from the cinema. A week after the day, I presented the programme at the Upstairs Gallery at the Coastguard Cultural Centre in Tramore. I was joined by pianist and composer Marian Ingoldsby. The evening sun was still bright and the white horses of the sea were visible through the windows of the scenic </span><span style="text-align: left;">Coastguard Station on the Doneraile in the seaside town.</span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yQZ5SIzNofe0IZu9USnCk0rPAq4Fr5MDOfISNf86ocHHvpd9fG_S3r1CpOL9AQQhBsFFTLCpshlkLlMWcQ7tm8B4e5OtNuF-PojM1wiuC6E2AsZDafvEFFEoJSTS2IbJ6CD6vlHhdL4b9-slcUsfoRlHy3AfQa9bg8wRD7oOaigLAef5NwK-LnziYA/s1024/Meals%20on%20wheels%20(1).JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yQZ5SIzNofe0IZu9USnCk0rPAq4Fr5MDOfISNf86ocHHvpd9fG_S3r1CpOL9AQQhBsFFTLCpshlkLlMWcQ7tm8B4e5OtNuF-PojM1wiuC6E2AsZDafvEFFEoJSTS2IbJ6CD6vlHhdL4b9-slcUsfoRlHy3AfQa9bg8wRD7oOaigLAef5NwK-LnziYA/s320/Meals%20on%20wheels%20(1).JPG" width="320" /></a>In December 2021, I commissioned a new violin from luthier Mark Keenan. I made the trip down to Mark's workshop in Belmont, Co Offaly to collect the instrument in August. It is a copy of a Golden period Stradivarius and I look forward to playing it in the years ahead. To go with a new instrument I commissioned a new piece for violin and piano by Marian Ingoldsby and gave the premiere performance at the event. A world premiere no less! Notions! </p><p style="text-align: left;"> I am happy to report that the venue was full and a retiring collection raised €500 for Meals on Wheels. Thank you all!</p><p>Set List below</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Vijaya",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Vijaya",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Melodies of the Silver Screen</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Vijaya",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></i></b><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Vijaya",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Coastguard, Tramore 4<sup>th</sup> September 2022<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Vijaya",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Cathy Desmond -Violin & Marian Ingoldsby -Piano<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Vijaya",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Guest Tenor John Drohan</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 108pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Programme<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Humoresque;
Dvorak<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>1947 Humoresque<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Romanze;
Shostakovich <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1955
The GADFLY <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Salut
d’Amour; Elgar<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>1962<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elgar (dir Ken Russell)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Windmills
of Your Mind;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Legrand<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1968 The Thomas Crown Affair<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Loss
of Love ; Henry Mancini<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1970 Sunflower<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Speak
Softly Love; Nino Rota<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1972 The Godfather<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Lara’s
Theme;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maurice<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jarre<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1965 Dr Zhivago<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Theme
Schindler’s List; John Williams<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1993 Schindler’s List<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Por
Una Cabeza; Carlos Gardel<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2002 Scent of a Woman<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Theme;
Nigel Hess<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>2004 Ladies in Lavender<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">New
Commission; Ingoldsby: <span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2022 Doneraile Saunter (working title)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Marino Waltz; J Sheahan<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1987 The Peat
Briquette Ads TV<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">T <i>Poem The Fiddlemaker's Workshop by J Sheahan read by Daniel Foley for Mark Keenan</i></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Czardas;
Monti<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>1984 Unfaithfully Yours <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Ashokan
Farewell; Jay Ungar<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1991 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ken Burns PBS The Civil War<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Silver Screen Selection
ViolinCat: Youtube Playlist: <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.shorturl.at/ejL19">www.shorturl.at/ejL19</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Clips from the films that inspired tonight’s programme.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXld2ZcHKSlKGqWipbMINx45yUe_3XhS4m7bQO3ghScrRNwxE8T2eukfrPjXouXbZTkOz6hSpj9xxoSLLwwP2hPFTB_XhI12-8-SADBeVaoOOghZIumNN8ai-RW1wBR_uYPyUBZWWQDkgMNex41BDhMbAdRbx6RsnWZYhk5MI0kBcOSgPoizDKH_ZcQ/s4032/IMG_9259.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXld2ZcHKSlKGqWipbMINx45yUe_3XhS4m7bQO3ghScrRNwxE8T2eukfrPjXouXbZTkOz6hSpj9xxoSLLwwP2hPFTB_XhI12-8-SADBeVaoOOghZIumNN8ai-RW1wBR_uYPyUBZWWQDkgMNex41BDhMbAdRbx6RsnWZYhk5MI0kBcOSgPoizDKH_ZcQ/s320/IMG_9259.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSADsgXOJXqA0UiEytyBbPWI5K4uNd1wXzJmU99HaGHCFVO94nYNViTVLQ71QQ65f4nUg-BeWWKV0BWEh-cvFRvWMY07Gy4_bEqJydgowElDpRWT67Nqx3u45Aurmr8zMoB-GYs2lr1xqdOqo4oVrluPGHWditKKQ5NIATBCkgqm0tNdMFXNns8ileQ/s4032/The%20Fiddlemakers%20Workshop.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSADsgXOJXqA0UiEytyBbPWI5K4uNd1wXzJmU99HaGHCFVO94nYNViTVLQ71QQ65f4nUg-BeWWKV0BWEh-cvFRvWMY07Gy4_bEqJydgowElDpRWT67Nqx3u45Aurmr8zMoB-GYs2lr1xqdOqo4oVrluPGHWditKKQ5NIATBCkgqm0tNdMFXNns8ileQ/s320/The%20Fiddlemakers%20Workshop.jpg" width="240" /></a><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.cathydesmondstringschool@gmail.com</div>Cathy Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032146147358267682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491569710507705729.post-91935579234428067012022-08-30T16:24:00.020+01:002022-08-30T21:57:53.299+01:00Glenarm Festival of Voice; Co Antrim <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZUza-vOJ20a87Z6rX9kfUHdoclHVOvkyspzaeykgOYAvCXPjFn25ThHd_S_hmdvEsL_oiUVGHqbpBOynTGOeGQy5oYcIV5a-uLU8R7kEvZRWUpV7aSw1P5MI5x6fQNjuoqc0oyMmD5i9Co9mlfj5pBFs7wLS4Vvt-0Z48OopXJW9EkVlVrdYB_6ABw/s680/lbapHlp4.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="680" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZUza-vOJ20a87Z6rX9kfUHdoclHVOvkyspzaeykgOYAvCXPjFn25ThHd_S_hmdvEsL_oiUVGHqbpBOynTGOeGQy5oYcIV5a-uLU8R7kEvZRWUpV7aSw1P5MI5x6fQNjuoqc0oyMmD5i9Co9mlfj5pBFs7wLS4Vvt-0Z48OopXJW9EkVlVrdYB_6ABw/w640-h351/lbapHlp4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><br />Antrim is a long way from my base in the South East but arriving home from a week exploring Scotland's West coast, the ferry dropped me in Larne a short hop from the village of Glenarm and fortuitously in the nick of time to catch the last day of the weekend festival dedicated to singing, part of a development programme for young singers by Northern Ireland Opera. At St Patrick's Church, a 'select audience' gathered to hear a song recital by soprano Soraya Mafi and pianist Simon Lepper. Fresh from a lead role in Glyndebourne, the soprano presented an appealing programme concluding with a clutch of settings of Irish texts, only one of which I had heard before. For a singer used to a big auditorium, Mafi handled the acoustic of the bijou venue comfortably demonstrating her strength and colour but never overpowering, giving succinct and clear introductions to each number. She revealed that although her name is Persian, her mother is from Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo. Entry was free gratis to all and I look forward to catching the radio broadcast in early September in my kitchen thanks to a couple of unobtrusive suspended mics. Although not new, the wonders of radio technology never cease to amaze me. A top notch presentation by a duo on top of their métier that could as easily have graced the stage of the Wigmore Hall as a rural parish church on the Antrim coast.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6o0juu0bNYmar3j2zWu5hXoKsQWd_xPL3az6Sj1sKPIzj1koMDLx1kj-L_Ngk7F95USA-ixn4UV-eg4V-UdGhwrEKVXhdsK0exqGsnlmGm3-FuVnRlP9Ilsto6s-ZsgFslFFVO7DEWBZRT6DzqHMPp1H4BF5JYtlXiOt1m7JDelhm-mUhSNN6BEb0OA/s1024/PHOTO-2022-08-30-21-20-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6o0juu0bNYmar3j2zWu5hXoKsQWd_xPL3az6Sj1sKPIzj1koMDLx1kj-L_Ngk7F95USA-ixn4UV-eg4V-UdGhwrEKVXhdsK0exqGsnlmGm3-FuVnRlP9Ilsto6s-ZsgFslFFVO7DEWBZRT6DzqHMPp1H4BF5JYtlXiOt1m7JDelhm-mUhSNN6BEb0OA/w640-h480/PHOTO-2022-08-30-21-20-30.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Outside Broadcast Unit in situ in Glenarm.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><p></p><p>Later in the evening, the competition finale took place across the road in the Church of the Immaculate Conception and it was good to see a good crowd gathered to hear the five finalists. The distinctive plummy tones of MC Sean Rafferty gave the event that Radio 3 vibe. Unusually for a vocal competition we heard all the competitors in a a selection of ensemble numbers as well as solo items. It made for a very convivial event as did the cup of tea served in the adjacent school hall. It was good to meet Cork soprano Niamh O Sullivan and Fr Eugene O Hagan of the vocal trio The Priests.</p><p>Each of the five singers were impressive and I hope to hear them all gain. I loved Owen Lucas' rendition of a setting of Ledwidge by Michael Head. My pick for the winner though was Michael Bell, one of the most experienced singers on the platform. The jury's selection was Owen Lucas who was also the audience favourite. Hannah O Brien won the Song prize with a song titled Bid Adieu with music and lyrics composed by James Joyce. I have no doubt I will hear Heather Sammon, a mezzo from Wicklow and David Kennedy a baritone from Galway again. Owen Lucas can be heard next in the NI Opera production of La Traviata and Michael Bell and Hannah O Brien are off to the Wexford Opera Factory. Doireann O Carroll accompanied the Song Prize.</p><p>I wound up the evening at McCollum's Pub in Cushendall where it was fun swapping tunes with a merry band of brothers from Derry in the Front Parlour. #DiscoverNorthernIreland. Bravo tutti! A most entertaining day!</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iaUbmDG9FWchS3FWTIQVgWjVVszhmj05-TpTQJ3Nq9AbVVfv2EPUK38NnmsCg29-0yF2N-1lSBqQ56HqIHo3qYvfMiO4q-NIIGbwD6Ykf0HrnBppKKZbKQtJkcD4gB7QGalViB3te7IcDJa8kI1ImiyXW7LcN1m1WKR36z-3ZVnbmOMdhr7hfoQVUw/s320/IMG_4737.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iaUbmDG9FWchS3FWTIQVgWjVVszhmj05-TpTQJ3Nq9AbVVfv2EPUK38NnmsCg29-0yF2N-1lSBqQ56HqIHo3qYvfMiO4q-NIIGbwD6Ykf0HrnBppKKZbKQtJkcD4gB7QGalViB3te7IcDJa8kI1ImiyXW7LcN1m1WKR36z-3ZVnbmOMdhr7hfoQVUw/w200-h150/IMG_4737.jpg" width="200" /></a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.cathydesmondstringschool@gmail.com</div>Cathy Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032146147358267682noreply@blogger.com0