Classical concert a great success at Christ Church
A large crowd attended the concert of classical music and song organised by Fermoy Classical Music Society on Saturday, 13th April.
The venue – Christ Church – has superb accoustics and provides a beautiful setting for musical performances. And, of course, it is spacious enough to accommodate a large crowd comfortably.
The programme was rich and varied featuring a mix of established musicians and singers and younger but very talented performers. At the outset, the audience was addressed by Reverend Clodagh Yambasu. Speaking in flawless Irish as well as in English, Reverend Yambasu said that she was delighted to welcome such a large attendance to the concert and that she was looking forward to a great evening of music and song.
A FEAST OF MUSIC AND SONG
The centrepiece of the programme was Bach’s Harpsichord Concerto No. 5 in F Minor BWV 1056, played beautifully on two pianos by Amhaoibh Ó Síocháin Ó Beoláin and his teacher Aidan Duggan, the winners of the prestigious Feis Maitiú Concerto competition, 2024.
Other delightful performances included Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata played by Aidan Duggan, Mozart’s Sonata in D for 4 hands K.381 played by Aidan and his former pupil, Gormfhlaith Ní Shíocháin Ní Bheoláin and Aloys Fleischman’s Mall Siansach from Sraith do Phianó played by Gormfhlaith. Accompanied on piano by Aidan Duggan, Orison Carlile, tenor, gave beautiful performances of Mozart’s Dies Bildnis ist Bezaubernd Schön, of Return to Sorrento by Ernesto de Curtis, of Una Furtiva Lagrima by Gaetano Donizetti and of Cardillo’s Catari, Catari!
Pauline O’Mahony, soprano, gave thrilling performances of two songs by Pergolesi: ‘Stizzoso’, ‘Mio Stizzoso’ and ‘Se Tu M’ami’, again with piano accompaniment by Aidan
Duggan. Micheál Lane, tenor, accompanied on piano by Amhlaoibh Ó Síocháin Ó Beoláin, gave a memorable performance of ‘La Vie en Rose’.
YOUNGER PERFORMERS
A distinctive feature of the musical society’s concerts is the opportunity they afford to hear young musicians who possess exceptional talent. All have gained prestigious awards for their playing. This year’s concert featured: Aaron and Elliot Passaquay, Róisín Fleming, Seán Finn, Máiréad O’Donoghue, Mia Tobin, Brigid Mahon, Evan Logue, Ava Hallinan, Ava Rose Moher and Lucia Miao.
The audience was treated to delightful performances in different styles by these talented musicians playing the music of Bonis, Charpentier, Chopin, Culleton, Debussy, Kabalevsky, Liszt, Mayerl and Robinson.
THANKS
The society’s chairman, tenor Orison Carlile, thanked the event’s sponsors: Avondhu- Blackwa - ter Partnership, Cork County Council, Dairygold Ltd. and Synergy Credit Union, Fermoy for their generous support. Speaking at the end of the evening, the chairman pointed out that the society’s aims are to make live classical music available at a reasonable cost (tickets cost a modest €10) and to provide a platform for local musicians and singers. He said that the Fermoy area is particularly fortunate in having a wealth of musical talent.
The work of the society’s highly talented musical director, composer and renowned piano teacher, Aidan Duggan, was a key factor, he said, in ensuring that the society was in a position to draw on an extensive pool of top-class musicians. He thanked Aidan for his work in preparing for the concert and for the huge part he played throughout the evening, both as an individual performer and as accompanist.
The chairman thanked Reverend Yambasu and the members of the Church of Ireland community for making the magnificent Christ Church available and for their enormous contribution to ensuring the success of the event.