A new work by the Irish composer Michael Doherty will feature alongside concert reliables from Schumann and Shostakovich when The Gealán Quartet performs in Ballina next month.
The Gealán Quartet comprises musicians Maria McGuinness (violin), Eoin Ducrot (violin), Fiachra de hOra (viola) and Paul Grennan (cello). Formed in 2021, the Gealán Quartet is composed of four of the most gifted young musicians of their generation.
Derry-born Michael Doherty is enjoying a busy career as a composer and orchestrator for films, as well as for BBC and Channel 4 TV productions and for the concert hall.
The Gealán Quartet has commissioned Michael to write a new string quartet for the group’s Irish autumn tour and will be presenting his Quartet No. 3, which is based on two Ukrainian folk songs.
Dmitri Shostakovich composed his heart-rending eighth quartet in Dresden in 1960. Its official dedication to ‘the victims of fascism and war’ was imposed by the Soviet authorities. But this disguises a wider dedication to victims of all totalitarianism, the Russian composer himself included after his music came into conflict with Stalin.
Robert Schumann beautiful A minor quartet is also on the programme for Ballina. The German composer is regarded as one of the Romantic era’s greatest composers, although his life was cut short while still only in his 40s.
This Ballina performance by The Gealán Quartet is part of the National String Quartet Foundation’s Autumn Concert Tour series around Ireland.
It takes place in Ballina Arts Centre on Wednesday, November 8 and tickets are priced at €18 and €16.
You can book online at www.ballinaartscentre.com, by email at info@ballinaartscentre.com or by telephone on 096-73593.
The tour is sponsored by The Arts Council and RTE Lyric FM.
