Monday October 31 8 pm
Alice Tully Hall Lincoln Center
Tickets: Lincoln Center web site
Haydn: Symphony No. 96 in D Major, HOB I:96 (“The Miracle”)
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto (Left Hand), No. 4, Op. 53
Ó Suilleabhain: Termo?n
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7, Op. 92The Irish Chamber Orchestra has gained a reputation as a vibrant, refreshing, and influential force on the classical and contemporary music scene, excelling in a large range of repertoire from the baroque to modern day masterpieces. Leon Fleisher returns to the Lincoln Center and joins the orchestra, performing Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto (Left Hand) No. 4, Opus 53, a work for which he has set the standard. The ICO’s program includes Termon, a specially commissioned work by Irish composer Michael O Suilleabhain to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11, along with Beethoven’s popular Symphony No. 7, described by Wagner as “the apotheosis of the dance” (its cinematic, second movement recently featured in the soundtrack for the Oscar-winning film, ‘The King’s Speech’), and Haydn’s Miracle Symphony No. 96.This concert is part of an eight-city U.S. tour Fleisher performs with the Irish Chamber Orchestra (ICO) and is a cornerstone of Culture Ireland’s year-long program, Imagine Ireland: A Year of Irish Arts in America 2011. The tour marks the first time the full 38-member Irish Chamber Orchestra appears in America, and offers a unique chance to hear ‘Termo?n’ set amongst some of the outstanding works of the classical music repertoire. ‘Termo?n’ is derivative of the Irish An Tearmann, meaning ‘place of sanctuary’ and is an expression of solidarity with those who suffered as a result of the 9/11 attacks and of the deep, rich and unbreakable bond between Ireland and America. The work for Uilleann Pipes and Strings will be performed by Pádraic Keane, this year’s recipient of the Gradam Ceoil TG4 Music Award – Young Musician of the Year. Commissioned by the American Ireland Fund, ‘Termo?n’ had its world premiere on September 11, 2011 at a special event organized by the U.S. Embassy, Dublin.
About Leon Fleisher
Pianist, conductor, and mentor Leon Fleisher is unanimously regarded as one of the greatest musicians of his generation. When his career was interrupted in 1965 due to a neurological affliction disabling his right hand, Fleisher continued his career, focusing on repertoire for left hand and forging a renewed life in music. He has since returned to two-handed playing, as documented in Nathaniel Kahn’s 2006 Oscar- and Emmy-nominated documentary Two Hands. Fleisher’s memoir, My Nine Lives, has received superlative endorsements from leading artists and critics and will be released in paperback on November 1, 2011 (Anchor Books, an imprint of Knopf-Doubleday). http://www.leonfleisher.com
About the ICO
Working with Artistic Partner Jörg Widmann, the Limerick-based Irish Chamber Orchestra is a world-class ensemble and one of the Ireland’s foremost cultural ambassadors. They have built a reputation for the highest level of musical excellence and are a fresh and vibrant force on the international music scene. The ICO has toured China (Singapore), Australia, and over 10 countries throughout Europe. The Sunday Business Post asserts that the ICO “can match the finest of small orchestra in the world for imaginative andvigorous performances, [and] bristles with attitude.” http://www.irishchamberorchestra.info
About Imagine Ireland
Imagine Ireland is Culture Ireland’s year of Irish arts in America. Featuring over 500 events across more than 40 states, the year-long season features theatre, music, film, literature, visual events, dance and architecture. Culture Ireland is the national agency for promoting Irish arts abroad. http://www.imagineireland.ie
###