Weekend Roundup from Rain Sodden South East

Finghin Collins

Christchurch Cathedral 

It was a weekend of grey skies and  floods threatened to submerge the island. On Saturday evening, amid the  shuffle of falling raindrops, the elegant 18th century interior space of Christchurch Cathedral resounded with the Latin American rhythms of beguines, tangos and two steps and  blue notes of jazz, (A preview of the evening here). While red shirted rugby fans mulled ruefully over sporting events in The Munster Bar,  Finghin Collins gave a bravura rendition of the solo piano part of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue with the Waterford Concert Orchestra under conductor Kevin O Carroll . At the close of the first half, audience and orchestra members  rose to their feet to applaud the virtuoso pianist.  I have to declare an interest,  as a member of the string section.  Clarinetist, Stephen Mackey shimmered in the opening opening of the emblematic work. The huge brass and wind section showed they were well able to swing it in arrangements by Bernstein, Cole Porter. Trumpet player Mitch Cuss sparkled in an homage to  'Satchmo' .  Sinead O Carroll also featured as piano soloist in the opening work Danzon by Mexican composer, Marquez. Inclement weather didn't deter patrons and in many years of attending events here, I can't remember seeing it as full as it was last night with a capacity house adding to the sense of a gala occasion. I can report that both soloist and conductor wore summer white jackets. There  was a very sociable buzz with much meeting and greeting during the generous interval. Among the patrons, we met  composer, Gerry Murphy who tells me he is working on a commemorative piece for 1916. Secretary of Cork Operatic Society,  Deirdre Long told me that work has begun on the next production Der Vampyr. A very special evening in Waterford. Great to have been there and to be a part of it!
'.

Dominic Finn 

  On Saturday morning, choral composer and Director of Music at St. Colman's Cathedral Cobh made it through wind and rain and arrived in Waterford to lead a workshop in liturgical music at St John's Pastoral Centre. Finn presented an attractive and  varied selection of  liturgical music by contemporary Irish and American composers and the ensemble drawn from choirs from around the county quickly got to grips with some serious 4 part harmony.  An engaging and good humoured facilitator, Finn shared some of his views on style and substance of liturgical music. ' A gospel acclamation should be joyful, uplifting and driven'  he said. He spoke about matching music to the surroundings. What might resonate in a great cathedral space maybe being different to what might suit a more modest parish church.

@fidleir @ArtsCathedral thanks

and bravo to Kevin and all the members of the orchestra for fine, spirited performances!
— Finghin Collins (@FinghinCollins) February 9, 2014

Neil Brand The Big Score

After a long journey on rain sodden highways, it was a relief to collapse in front of the telly on Friday evening. I don't usually mention TV programmes on these reports but Neil Brand's documentary of film music was so good that I am making an exception and  noting it here. The Sound of the Cinema was aired on Friday night, BBC 4. In the first episode, Brand gave fascinating insights into the work of 30's film composers of Steiner, Korngold and Hermann. Among the highlights, he travelled to Hollywood to peer into the hand written scores of classic movies,  The Adventures of Robin Hood and Psycho and  met one of a rare musical species, silent movie organist Bernie Anderson There are two more episodes airing on Friday evenings. I recommend staying in or setting your recorder.

First published 9th Feb , amended 10th Feb

http://cathydesmond.blogspot.ie/2013/07/credo-amen-day-at-irish-church-music.html

http://cathydesmond.blogspot.ie/2011/07/movies-in-cathedral.html

From Broadway to the Viking Triangle, Waterford

Finghin Collins with iguana ?

It is 90 years since Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue was premiered in New York. Across the pond, plans are in train to mark the anniversary of this seminal moment and you can read all about it here in this post from a New York based blogger, James Abbott.  But  the good news is that for Irish music lovers, you don't need to book a plane ticket to hear this 'great serious opus of the jazz age' . In the very anniversary week of its' premier, the Waterford Concert Orchestra under conductor Kevin O Carroll will give the first ever performance of the work in the medieval port city , Waterford. The soloist is Finghin Collins, a pianist who combines a flourishing international solo career with being a major player in shaping the Irish classical  music scene. He is Artistic Director of New Ross Piano Festival and Music for Galway.

The performance takes place in Christchurch Cathedral  on Saturday 8th February at 8pm.  The rest of the programme has a Latin slant with works by Bernstein, Cole Porter and Marquez.  There is a perfect storm of events in the Viking city on the 8th Feb with Jack L in the Theatre Royal and not too far away in Railway Square, opera diva Renee Fleming appearing live from the Met via the Odeon Cinema Screen. I'll be in Christchurch in the viola section. I am looking forward to it!



And to whet your apetite have a listen to the composer  himself at the piano in the recording below. The Klezmer influence in the opening clarinet solo is striking.



Here is the Walt Disney  animated version form Fantasia 2000.
Fantasia 2000 - Rhapsody in Blue by R174