ENJOY ARDEE BAROQUE FROM COMFORT OF YOUR HOME

Audiences invited to sit back and enjoy free concerts from the comfort of their own home

Ardee Baroque, which has taken place in the Deeside town since 2004, is moving online this year so that music lovers can still enjoy a weekend of early music events but from the comfort on their own homes.

The acclaimed Irish pianist Finghin Collins will be joined by members of the Irish Baroque Orchestra, Claire Duff, violin and Sarah McMahon, cello in the opening concert on Saturday November 28 at 7.30pm.to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Beethoven.

While not a typical baroque composer, Beethoven’s early years were spent writing for baroque instruments. For this performance, Finghin plays on a 1994 copy by Paul Poletti of a Walter fortepiano. Anton Walter was an exact contemporary of both Mozart and

Beethoven and so it will be fascinating to travel back in time and hear these three early works as they might have sounded more than two centuries ago.

Claire Duff and Sarah McMahon will play a second concert on Sunday at 3pm concentrating on the music of Bach. Bach’s works for unaccompanied string instruments were often considered oddities,however today they are deemed an essential part of the solo string repertoire and require adept players to express much of the rich polyphonic textures.

The festival also includes an online masterclass on Saturday on baroque playing techniques, which are often likened to their similarities with traditional styles. Violinist Marja Gaynor performs with both the Irish Baroque Orchestra and Camerata Kilkenny. Her recordings and past projects have seen her combine her love of baroque and traditional Irish music which should make for a fascinating event.

Ardee Baroque was formed by Louth County Council Arts Office and the Irish Baroque Orchestra in 2004. Over the years, Ardee Baroque’s theme has reflected the town’s historical and geographical importance and has successfully merged the worlds of classical and traditional music. It has played host to some of the finest Irish and international artists.

All events over the weekend are available to watch for free but registration is required through Eventbrite. Full details on www.ardeebaroque.com