Hannah awes crowd at Brehon’s classic night

FOR those lucky enough to be at the classical concert in the Brehon Hotel last Wednesday, it was a night to savour and remember.

The concert was proudly arranged by Eileen O’Donoghue and the Management of The Brehon Hotel Killarney.

It featured Concert Pianist Santa Ignace, currently studying in Mozarteum University Salzburg, and one of her former students Killarney native Hannah Sherry who is now attending Repton School in England.

The program began with Hannah’s performance of Schumann Fantasiestücke No 2.

Seventeen-year-old Hannah played with the panache and confidence of a seasoned performer, captivating the audience from the very start with her opening piece.

She then concluded with one of the most difficult Nocturnes by Chopin op. 48 No 1, which impressed not only her former teacher Santa, but everyone who was there, with the entire crowd responding with spontaneous applause.

Hannah then introduced her teacher, Santa, who lived and taught in Kerry and Cork for many years and who is also a Master’s graduate from the CIT School of Music.

She presented a programme of Chopin’s Four Ballades and Medtner ‘s Sonata Reminiscenza. The first piece, by Medtner, a contemporary of Rachmaninov, Schostakovich and Prokofiev, exemplified the nostalgic depth of early 20th century romantic revisionist music.

Santa continued the performance with Chopin’s Four Ballades which, she said, explore and exhaust every technical and emotive possibility of the instrument for which they were composed.

Santa’s performance was warmly appreciated and acknowledged, and everyone who attended agreed it was a great success. It was a night to remember for all who attended and especially for these two dedicated accomplished musicians – Hannah Sherry and Santa Ignace.

Those who missed last week’s concert had the chance to hear Santa perform again on Saturday June 4 at Intermediate School Killorglin during the K Fest programme.

Santa is also giving Piano Master classes at the Killarney School of Music from June 13 to June 17.

Mary Murphy, Eithne Coffey, Hannah Sherry, Santa Ignace and Joan O’Sullivan at the Piano Evening with Santa Ignace and Hannah Sherry in The Brehon Hotel, Killarney, on Wednesday night. Picture: Eamonn

Santa Ignace with Hannah , William, Liz and Paul Sherry at the Piano Evening with Santa Ignace and Hannah Sherry in The Brehon Hotel, Killarney, on Wednesday night. Picture: Eamonn Keogh