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THE Donegal Chamber Orchestra will today perform the “world première” of a new six-movement piece ‘The Inishowen Set’ especially composed for the string ensemble by John McLachlan.
The internationally esteemed Dublin born composer who lives in Redcastle has been working over the past few weeks with the orchestra ahead of today’s 3pm performance at Conwal Parish Church in Letterkenny.
Since 2010 the Donegal Music Education Partnership’s ensemble has successfully worked with one Irish composer per season, promoting new music and commissioning new pieces for their repertory. Ian Wilson, Derek Ball and Elaine Agnew were involved in music making with DCO in previous seasons.
John McLachlan is a freelance composer who is also active in the representation and promotion of Irish composers. He has had many articles on contemporary music published in various journals.
The Donegal Chamber Orchestra features classical string players from across county Donegal and is dedicated to helping students and amateur musicians achieve the highest level of excellence in performance.
The Orchestra was founded in 2006 by Hungarian violinist Orsolya Szabó-Yélamo (Violin resource tutor with Donegal Music Education Partnership) and Spanish cellist Víctor Yélamo (Artistic Director of the ensemble).
For their February today in Conwal Parish Church, they will perform John McLachlan’s ‘The Inishowen Set’ conducted by the composer himself who also will introduce his new piece to the audience.
The program will also include Karl Jenkin’s Palladio, Hindemith’s Five Pieces for Strings Op. 44, Mascagni’s Intermezzo from “Cavalleria Rusticana”, Britten’s Simple Symphony Op. 4, Tchaikovsky’s Elegy for string orchestra and Bartók’s Ten pieces “For Children“ Sz. 39 arranged for strings by Leo Weiner.
This concert is presented by the Donegal Chamber Music Society as part of their Sunday afternoon concert series “Sundays in Conwal” in association with Donegal Music Education Partnership. A recital of about 45 minutes of music. Admissions € 10/5. Tickets will be available at the door. For further information, (074) 9176293 / musiceducation@donegaletb.ie