Drums and Guns at Lir

I went to see Drums and Guns, a words and music presentation devised by Iain Burnside with a dozen performers drawn from the vocal programmes at RIAM  Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Juilliard School.  We heard a great range of material based on the theme of war and insurrection in a semi staged format. The set list is posted below. There was much to enjoy and  I was moved, amused and thoroughly entertained over the 70 minutes. I loved the tongue twisting music hall songs beautifully enunciated  by the Guildhall ladies. There three baritone combination was richly sonorous.

 Pushed to pick a stand out moment,  Dutch baritone, Rick Zwart gave me goose bumps with his acapella rendition of Eric Bogle's, And the Band Played Waltzing Mathilda with the company joining in a Stephen Foster-esque final chorus.  It was as if I'd  never heard this song before .  I don't think Bryn himself could have delivered a better version of All Through the Night delivered in Welsh by Mr Zwart with all male chorus.  Irish performers  among the party were Sarah Brady,  Eadaoin Copeland, Callan Coughlan and Sean Boylan. The Guildhall team were Claire Lees, Felicity Turner and Michelle Santiago and Rick Zwart.  Representing Juliard were Julia Wolcott, Dominik Belavy Adam Rothenberg Matthew Swensen.

More of this kind of thing please!

ps I was delighted to meet musical legend Brush Shiels in the foyer. Brush tells me he is busy gigging in Germany and Holland.

 

Tús Maith for Ortús

I caught the final recital of a weekend festival dedicated to chamber music by a young ensemble, some of whom are still in their teens. My review appeared in Wednesday's Irish Examiner.

The  finale was as Francis Humphreys comprehensive programme note eloquently put it ‘a triumphant blaze of sound’

Ortús have made a tús maith. With the support of mentor Adrian Petcu and the imprimatur of board members at West Cork Music Festival and pianist Barry Douglas, the future looks bright, a future these young players have shown  willingness and flair in shaping for themselves. We wish them well.

Vivre Musicale: Schumann Song Studio at RIAM

Mezzo Eimear McCarthy Luddy

On Wednesday, Vivre Musicale a collective of singers and musicians attached to the Royal Irish Academy of Music presented an evening of work by Clara and Robert Schumann. I regret I missed songs by Clara but there was enough of a feast in two song cycles from Robert's Liederjahr from two excellent young singers and a Fantasiestucke on clarinet from Berginald Rash. Baritone, Sean Boylan was an animated lovelorn protagonist in a rendition of Heine's texts  Liederkreis op 24. Boylan's ability to get to the heart of a text was apparent when I hear him in Ennis at a recital in 2014. My, Irish Examiner  review here. Sean tells me he is off to London to study at the Guildhall and we wish him well.

  Eimear McCarthy Luddy was a new name to me. The mezzo-soprano gave a moving and vivid rendition of Frauenliebe und Leben, composed shortly before his wedding to Clara. The eight texts tell the tale of  a woman's heart from the headiness of new love,  the joy of motherhood and a poignantly prescient final text on the pain of widowhood. We were reminded what a remarkable woman, Clara was to maintain a career as a concert pianist and support her eight children, the eldest who was in his early teens when Robert died. McCarthy Luddy's programme note concluded with this quote from Clara 'What have I possessed and lost! And yet how long have I gone on living and working. Where does one ...find the strength? I found it in my children and in art-they have sustained me by their love and art too has never played me false.

But back to our soloist ,  McCarthy-Luddy had a lovely purity of tone with an elegant  platform presence wearing a floor length, black and ivory gown.  Reading her biography, I note that she began formal training with Eimear Quinn and is currently working towards a Masters in performance with Owen Gilhooly.I am looking forward to hearing her again.

All were well served by Seho Lee on piano- Accompaniment Teaching Fellow at RIAM

Both singers, I believe are involved in Drums and Guns at The Lir Weds 9th March.

 The next Vivre Musicale  presentation is an Opera Gala Thurs March 24th 7pm Organ Room Tickets €10/5


For mother's day here are a few of the lines of Schumann's Woman's Heart, text 7 on the joys of a baby at the breast

Du lieber , lieber engel du,
Du Schauest  mich an und lachelst dazu
An meinen Herzen, an meiner Brust,
Du meine Wonne, du meine lust














 

Wireless Folk: Reg Meuross at the Lord Edward

Photo Mik Kenny

I came across English folk troubadour, Reg Meuross  at a gig in Sheffield last year and found his gentle understated style and thoughtful lyrics  very beguiling. Hearing that he was on an Irish tour, I made a beeline for the final evening at the Upstairs Room at the Lord Edward Pub in Dublin. It was a rare and wonderful evening when artist, environs and  audience all seemed be chime to make a harmonious  experience on many levels.

First and foremost, the artist; with his mahogany hued, Mariachi style guitar held high across his chest, Meuross, singer and raconteur took us on a journey  through his well crafted songs and engaging stories laced with a wry self deprecating humour drawn from his life as a travelling troubadour. We heard songs from his back catalogue and some from his new album, December. Historic figures - pilgrim fathers, suffragettes , highway men, Wallace Hartley, the Titanic violinist turn up with figures personal; to Meuross. An encore 'Good With His Hands', was a moving tribute to his father who was a carpenter.What made the performance all the more thrilling and remarkable was that it was delivered without the aid of an amplification. Sitting quite close to the singer  I noticed his extra long nails. Wouldn't  18th century harpists have killed for  acrylic?.

The venue: The  famous Tavern is named after Lord Edward Fitzgerald who was the 5th son of the Duke of Leinster, C in C of the United Irishmen, who helped plan the Abortive Rebellion of 1798 against the Crown with Robert Emmet, Wolfe Tone and Napper Tandy. The upstairs room,   a cosy  space lined with leaded windows looks across to Christchurch Cathedral whose bells added an occasional counterpoint to the proceedings.

When we were greeted warmly on arrival  by our  host, fear an tí,  Peter Grogan. This is rare enough to merit mention. One of my pet peeves is being greeted by the staff at my local arts centre who peer at a computer screen and ask me yet again 'Have you booked with us before'? No-' hello, nice to see you' Aaagh!

Peter hosts a regular monthly folk session at the venue on the first Tuesday of the month. The pub houses a seafood restaurant and Beshoff's Fish and Chip Shop is next door.



 

Far Flung Trio at the Theatre Royal

Malachy Robinson : The Far Flung Trio Tour 2016 from Culturefox.tv on Vimeo.

Bach Sonata no 2 in A major
Kreisler La Folia Variations
Klezmer tunes inc Hava Nagi
Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody
Bach Toccata & Fugue in D minor acc solo
Piazzola Two Tangos arr Wiebecke-Gottstein
C&W no Why Did You Leave Me
Edith Piaf La Vie en Rose Hymne l'Amour. L'Accordeoniste
Offenbach Overture to Orpheus
Encore: Cinema Paradiso theme Morricone

The Far Flung Trio finished their 2016 tour at the Theatre Royal, Waterford last night where they presented an eclectic entertaining set of repertoire. The bijou dimensions of the Victorian theatre suited the compact ensemble. The acoustic was fine and no amplification was required. Most of it worked very well. The folk origins of Liszt's  Hungarian Rhapsody were more apparent than in the virtuoso piano version. Dunne's arrangement of a famous Bach toccata reminded us that the accordion is essentially a portable organ. The only number that left me wanting more was the one that the trio did not arrange themselves. Piazzola demands the wheeze of a plaintive  reed evoking the spirit of an Argentinian  bandoneon. Spirited as the string duo rendition was , it lacked that vital colour. Robinson, a recent addition to the Hunka/ Dunne  duo proved his versatility in adding a vocals to a Buck Owens Country & Western number and a devilish  triangle to the Offenbach.

Too late to catch them on this tour but Theatre Royal has booked another chamber ensemble for April 16th. The Esposito Quartet with members drawn from the Irish Chamber Orchestra and RTE CO will perform work by their namesake, Schubert and Haydn.
http://www.theatreroyal.ie/events/esposito

More chamber music  recitals in March April via Waterford-Music who present Trio di Parma  and Chloe Hanslip with  Danny Driver upstairs in the Georgian Large Room. 

 

 

Mystery Man Paul Tiernan at the Coastguard Station

The name of singer songwriter Paul Tiernan was hitherto unknown to me. The poster pic of the artist in top hat and false music hall moustache suggested a performer with a theatrical sensibility and the addition of violinist Marja Gaynor, a major mover and shaker on the classical scene in Cork suggested a performer of some substance. The duo drew an near capacity house to the upstairs gallery at Tramore Coastguard Station on Friday night for a programme of bittersweet, elegant self penned songs (with a few covers) infused with the spirit of French chanson

A skilful player, Tiernan at times used his guitar like a percussion instrument, tapping the strings to release an eerie floating harmonic. His dark wry lyrics and appealing melodies reminded me at times of Randy Newman and Gilbert O Sullivan. He was wonderfully well-aided and abetted by the Gaynor who added mellifluous lines and Grapelli-esque riffs on violin. The whiff of a boulevard was evoked with interludes on a demonic melodica and drones on a gaudy concertina. Gaynor displayed her penchant for early music with a rumbustious Baroque partita.

Local lass, Anna McSweeney was in fine voice accompanying herself on guitar in a short supporting set.

A look through Tienan's biography shows an impressive music pedigree name checking big names among his  collaborators and citing excellent reviews from international music press.  He is promoting his 6th solo album, The Mystery of Others on this tour. If you've not heard him yet, let Paul Tiernan be a mystery to you no longer.  Do catch him on the remaining dates on this tour.


Thurs 25th Feb  White Horse Inn Ballincollig with Grainne Hunt and Marja Gaynor

Thurs 3rd March Hole in the Wall Kilkenny  with Marja Gaynor

Sunday 20th De Barras Clonakilty with The Vespertine Quartet
 

Joey Whelan & El Sombrero at the Copper Coast

 

It was a mucky, rain sodden night  in the South East on Saturday but there was slow release  of sunshine  over an evening of music , food, wine and chat at the Copper Coast Centre in the Waterford seaside village of Bonmahon.
It was my first trip to the centre, part of a UNESCO Global Geopark no less! The history of the  Bonmahon copper mining industry featured in a film shown at the Imagine Arts Festival in 2013and featured on this blog post Bonmahon copper minining on film . The centre housed in a converted church, makes for a convivial  performing space. We sat at long tables  under a vaulted timber ceiling sipping tempranillo . There are arched timber doors, a stone wall lining and a little bar in one corner.

The heat of a Spanish sun was conjured from a guitar by the fingers of Joey Whelan in two sets of works by Tarrega, Piazzola, Villa Lobos, Granados, Scarlatti, Albeniz and others, all performed from memory. Whelan added spoken programme notes and his performance was assured, very polished and quite enthralling.








The event was associated with West Waterford Food Festival and opened with an address from the chairman. There was food for body as well as the soul as during the interval,  Mexican nibbles were  served courtesy of  El Sombrero who operate out of Dunhill Eco Park.

It was an evening of many parts that combined to make a memorable  occasion. It was extraordinary, that while many live music events struggle to attract an audience, in this  relatively  remote part of West Waterford quite a way from any major conurbation,  on a miserable rainy evening, there was a audience of 50 patrons gathered. John Galloway was a gracious MC and  sombreros  off to Copper Coast manager, Catherine Kavanagh on a fabulous PR job.

El Sombrero: Javier Garduno & Michelle Comerford

Irish Chamber Orchestra at the Mansion House

When I look back on my career one of the great joys will have been this chance to work with Gábor Takács-Nagy. He's a consummate musician!

— Ailish Tynan (@AilishTynanEire) February 11, 2016

Pergolesi Salve Regina in C minor
Haydn from The Seven Last Words of Christ Introduzione: Maestoso ed Adagio Mozart Kommet her ihr frechen Suender KV 146
Haydn from The Seven Last Words of Christ Il Terremoto (The Earthquake)
Schubert Salve Regina D676
Schubert String Quartet in D minor D810 Death and the Maiden

The Irish Chamber Orchestra tried out a new  venue for their Dublin concert this week. moving into town from their more usual base at the RDS and bypassing the salubrious portals of the  NCH where I heard them last. There was a near capacity crowd and a lively buzz at The Round Room at the Mansion House. I almost got caught with the 7.30pm  start time and soprano Ailish Tynan was just finishing her introduction as I took my seat.

The room is a very large circular, domed space  and  the orchestra were placed at floor level at one end. While the acoustic is not as good as other venues I have heard them play in, it was in many respects, a more satisfying  evening. As soon as I could, I moved to an empty seat in the front row. Not only did this dramatically improve the sound effect but it was  a joy to watch conductor Gabor Takács Nagy direct his forces and observe the  rapport between him and the excellent soloist. Ailish Tynan's performance had a chamber music  sensibility,  her glorious  voice blending  like another instrument with the strings rather than soaring above them.  Mahler's arrangement of Schubert's string quartet, Death and the Maiden was vivid and exciting.

Audience and performers mingled during the interval. We met our soloist, Ms Tynan, in an aisle cooing over a very well behaved guide dog.  Des Keogh was  there to support his daughter, Oonagh. The German ambassador was in the house and  the Lady Mayoress attended wearing  her chain of office.

As always from the ICO there was superb musicianship and clearly great empathy between conductor and ensemble and it was pleasant to be in the city centre.  I would like to see the ICO experiment with the room, perhaps placing the ensemble in the centre with the audience placed around them. I would suggest making a bee line for the seats nearest the musicians for best  acoustic experience.





 

McLoughlin & McCarney at Tramore Coastguard Station

Treeline encored at Tramore Coastguard Station

Tony McLoughlin Singer songwriter

Tramore Coastguard Station has a marvellous location perched on the cliff at  the seaside town with a view of the sweep of Tramore bay. A café operates on the ground floor and the upper floor houses an art gallery and hosts occasional music gigs. The venue  offers a chatter free alternative to the pub and patrons are free to byob. To date I have heard veteran balladeer, Andy Irvine ,  the inimitable Francie White and his Omega 3 (plus 1) here and last night, songwriter Tony McLouglin held court at the venue joined by ace guitarist, Mick McCarney. McLoughlin  in jeans and cowboy boots and with a languid drawl in his mellow vocal delivery had an air of Nashville denizen in his rugged stage presence. The songs were good in a bluesy, country vein and easy on the ear. McLoughlin's set was much enhanced by Mick McCarney's skilful guitar obligados and interludes. The late Brian O Donnell was remembered in a dedication and  another  to local Green candidate Grace O Sullivan who was in the house.  Here is the PR blurb.

'The Irish performer and songwriter Tony McLoughlin has created a catalogue of literate songs that shine a spotlight in the dark corners of our real lives, while at the same time blending elements of country,folk,americana,and rock into his overall sound.His lived-in voice and captivating melodies can take you places you’ve never been before.’         (Hotpress Magazine).
http://www.tonymcloughlin.com/
Tony will be joined by Guitarist Mick McCarney who began his professional career in music in the 80’s playing with Donegal soul funk band ‘Quarterdeck’. He has since played with the likes of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. ‘Naked Lunch'(Steely Dan Tribute band), Dolores Keane, Chiara Browne and Ben Reel.

While this was a good gig from a musical point of view, the paucity of audience did not help to create a lively ambiance or indeed can not have made it a profitable evening for the artists. Munster Express arts critic made these comments on the Tramore arts scene in a recent review '


'When this newspaper ran its Arts & Theatre look back at 2015, I had some emails from Tramore people who deplored the fact that I had not included the 'vibrant art community' at the Coast Guard Arts Centre. Looking back over my diary I found I had not received an invite from the Coast Guard Centre for months and I had thought it was going the way of some arts organisations. Apparently, I am no longer on their information or mailing/invite lists.

I have noticed that since arts events went from 'Arts Service' funding to a catch-all 'Tourism Development' funding, things seem to have deteriorated in Tramore.

I think the Coastguard Station is a great venue offering advantages over a pub setting but audiences will need to be wooed to this alternative in a concerted effort by  both the artists and the venue promoter.

Next week Paul Tiernan is joined by the fab Finnish violinist Marja Gaynor for a gig on Friday 19th . It looks very promising. https://www.facebook.com/paultiernanmusic

 

A Gem: Pearl Fishers Live in HD

No print slot this time  for this review of a recent Met Live in HD broadcast. It was quite a sociable occasion with a large attendance. The front of house team, under Peter Shanahan at the Odeon Waterford did a good job distributing a synopsis to all and there was even cake in the interval. Prosecco next week please:)

Next in the diary: Puccini's  Turandot

Review: The Pearl

Nadir's Aria from Bizet's The Pearl Fishers - Met lIve in HD from Larry Murray on Vimeo.

Fishers Met Live in HD Odeon Waterford ****

The Met production of  Les Pecheurs de Perles broadcast on Saturday drew a larger audience than usual to the Odeon in Waterford. To date, only Lehar’s Merry Widow has proved to have more pulling power than Bizet’s exotic potboiler based on a love triangle between rival fishermen and a Hindu priestess. The opera hasn’t been performed at The Met for a century and its’ ‘rarity’ tag earned it a slot at Wexford in 1971. Beyond one lollipop, would there be enough to sustain us over an evening?

Curtain up revealed a mesmerizing underwater tableau where three aerialists simulate diving for pearls, a triumph of modern stage machinery and the art of video projection. This coup-de-theatre gave way to an intriguing set - a ramshackle waterside village on stilts crammed with a chorus in oriental peasant costume.  The muted hues were brightened with twinkling lights set on many levels and depths.  The familiar operatic duet, ‘Au fond du temple  powerfully sung by the well matched hunky duo, baritone, Mariusz Kwiecien and tenor, Matthew Polenzani as friends and rivals, Zurga and Nadir. Leila (Diana Damrau) glides in by boat to take up the position of village vestal virgin.  The stand out moment was when Nadir, alone on stage reveals that despite an oath, he and Leila have had a liaison and in je crois entendre encore, he sings an aria of rapture and yearning with such tenderness and superb  high pianissimos that you could sense the audience melt.

They resume their romance but are discovered. Leila’s lapse is blamed for a tempest and both are condemned to death.  Zurga relents and contrives to allow their escape. The Act 3 grimy office looks like the set of a Cold War drama and seems at odds with the rest of the production.

With a superb cast and stunning visual effects, the tension was maintained over 2 ½ hours. The Met Orchestra under Noseda gave a convincing account of Bizet’s score. There are many rare operas that one is glad to see once. I ‘d like to see this one again and it got a thumbs up from the Waterford audience. Brief blips in transmission reminded us of the power and fragility of the technology allowing us to share the thrills of a great house with our transatlantic counterparts. With a tea-time slot, we were home in time for MOTD. 

Broadcast on RTE LyricFM on Jan 16^th available on www.rte.ie/LyricFM

Next Met LIve in HD  transmission  via Classical Arts Ireland Puccini Turandot Jan 30^th