Cellist and composer Ailbhe McDonagh’s new violin concerto, The Irish Four Seasons, has been released by Avie Records UK in August. This fresh take on Vivaldi’s classic is performed by violinist Lynda O’Connor and the newly-formed Irish classical ensemble Anamus, under the direction of conductor David Brophy. The world premiere occurred earlier this month at the Ballaghaderreen Arts Festival in County Roscommon.
Composed in 2022 specifically for Lynda O’Connor, McDonagh’s concerto draws inspiration from Antonio Vivaldi’s original 18th-century work.
“Occasionally, you create a piece that just comes together perfectly,” McDonagh told The Strad magazine. “Although this is a classical composition, I wanted to incorporate elements of traditional Irish music. For instance, in the Spring movement, I’ve included a touching Irish air surrounded by a lively reel. In Autumn, there’s a slip jig, a traditional compound-time dance. While the overt Irish references are few, their presence significantly shapes the overall identity of the piece.”
Ailbhe McDonagh, 41, hails from Dublin. She performs internationally as a soloist and chamber musician and has several studio albums. She also serves as a professor of cello at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin.
