Mark secures major gig for St Patrick’s Day
GOREY uilleann piper Mark Redmond has been asked to step in to the shoes of Liam O’Flynn at short notice and to perform the 45 minute orchestral suite ‘ The Brendan Voyage’ in the National Concert Hall on St Patrick’s night, which will be broadcast live on RTÉ Lyric FM.
Mark, (29), had just two weeks to learn and perform the solo piece for uilleann pipes piece backed by the National Symphony Orchestra, which was composed by Shaun Davey in the early 1980s.
The Gorey piper has performed at several high profile occasions including some of the 1916 celebratory events last year, but this could be one of his biggest challenges to date.
‘I have been asked to learn and perform “The Brendan Voyage”, ’ he said. ‘It is associated with renowned piper Liam O’Flynn and he has performed it ever since its debut in the early 1980’s. Liam, unfortunately has had some health issues recently and had to pull out at last minute.’
‘Conductor David Brophy phoned me and asked me would I take his place,’ he added. ‘ To shatter my nerves even more it will be performed in the National Concert Hall and broadcast live on Lyric FM. I have less than two weeks to prepare the almost 45 minute piece.’
Mark has performed as soloist with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra during the state visit of Queen Elizabeth II; the RTÉ Concert Orchestra; and with artists Glen Hansard, Declan O’Rourke and Jack L.