The classical string ensemble the Donegal Camerata make a welcome return on Sunday afternoon with a concert at Conwal Church in Letterkenny.
The concert has been made possible by the return to Donegal on holiday of Lucia Spacirova, who plays violin and viola with the ensemble. Lucia moved back home to Slovakia in 2017.
Joining Lucia for the performance will be Orsolya Szabó-Yélamo on violin, Victor Yélamo on cello and Michael McGinty on double bass. The programme includes works by Leopold Mozart, father of Wolfgang Amadeus, marking the 300th anniversary of Leopold’s birth; Beethoven; Elgar; Dvorak; Piazzola; Brahms; and Irish composer Vincent Kennedy.
Victor Yélamo said they’re very much looking forward to the concert, part of the 2019 ‘Sundays in Conwal’ concert series.
“We had a very busy time with Donegal Camerata for several years and it’s great to get this opportunity to play together again,” he said. “The piece we’re playing from Vincent Kennedy is called ‘Memories’ and that’s very appropriate as we have many happy memories from those years.
“This ‘Sundays in Conwal’ series is now well-established. We’d like to thank the Rev David Houlton and the Select Vestry for allowing us to use this historic church and for all their support and help.”
Tickets are €10/€5 and doors open on Sunday at 2.30pm, with a 3pm start. The programme is expected to take an hour.
The VEC String Teachers Ensemble will be performing at the Regional Cultural Centre on 17th April at 8pm. Pictured are the quartet, Orsolya Szabo-Yelamo (violin), Michael McGinty (double bass), Victor Yelamo(cello) and Lucia Spacirova (violin). Photo: Paul McGuckin
Conwal Church is one of the oldest buildings in Letterkenny and was already established when Leopold Mozart was born in 1719. So it’s an excellent setting for the works which will start Sunday’s programme, both from 1760 – movements from his Divertimento for string trio No. 3 in D and his Divertimento in G Major No. 1.
Those are followed by Vincent Kennedy’s ‘Memories’ for two violins, part of the Kilcormac Cantata which he composed in 2011. Vincent is in Donegal this weekend in his role as conductor of the Donegal Youth Orchestra.
Next the Donegal Camerata will play 6 Landler in D Major for Two Violins and Bass by Beethoven, from 1865. Then it’s closer to home with three short pieces by English composer Edward Elgar.
The concert finishes with an international tour – a Humoresque from the Czech composer Dvorak; an Argentinian tango from Piazzolla; and finally a Hungarian dance from a German composer, Brahms.
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