AILISH TYNAN
ULSTER ORCHESTRA GERARD MCCHRYSTAL
MARGARET KEYS
GEORGE HUTTON
KIM VAUGHAN
SHERMAN-PETCU DUO
Co-Artistic Directors
Sabrina Hu
Cathal Breslin
Welcome to the 15th Walled City Music Festival 2024 – an exciting celebration of musical diversity, family, art, innovation, and the incredible musical talent from the historic Walled City of Derry. As Artistic Directors, we are thrilled to present an engaging line-up of performances that promise to enchant, inspire, and captivate audiences of all ages.
Our opening concert celebrates underrepresented works, performed by the esteemed Piatti Quartet. We are delighted to collaborate and perform alongside the Quartet in this performance at the stunning Christ Church. The concert will explore hidden gems of female and underrepresented composers with music by Amy Beach, Ina Boyle, the contemporary Irish composer Deirdre Gribbin, and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor - our journey through diverse styles promises a unique and exquisite musical odyssey.
The festival’s commitment to inclusivity continues with the wonderful Ulster Orchestra, led by the dynamic conductor David Brophy with soprano Ailish Tynan and pianist Cathal Breslin. Families are invited to join us for an unforgettable Gala concert featuring beloved film scores, timeless opera hits, and popular orchestral classics.
We are delighted to introduce new music duo Nathan Sherman and Alex Petcu in a showcase of new Irish compositions, in collaboration with the Contemporary Music Centre Ireland and the PRS Foundation Beyond Borders scheme. And don’t miss an enchanting evening with one of Ireland’s finest sopranos, Ailish Tynan, in the magnificent Great Hall at Ulster University Campus Magee. Accompanied by pianist Cathal Breslin, Ailish will deliver a sumptuous programme featuring works by Fauré, Schubert, Wolf,
and a selection of traditional Irish folk songs, marking a delightful St Patrick’s Day weekend recital.
Finally, celebrate St Patrick’s Day with us at Sons and Daughters, a gala variety concert honouring Derry’s musical heritage that cuts across many styles of music, featuring soprano Margaret Keys, tenor George Hutton, cellist Kim Vaughan, saxophonist Gerard McChrystal, and Festival Co-Artistic Director Cathal Breslin on piano. Join us at the stunning Christ Church after the St Patrick’s Day parade at 4.30 pm for a truly unforgettable experience.
The 2024 Walled City Music Festival invites you to embark on a journey of amazing discovery, where the walls of Derry echo with the melodies and harmonies of our exceptional international artists. We look forward to sharing these extraordinary moments with you, creating memories that resonate long after the final notes fade away.
Sabrina Hu
Cathal Breslin
7.30PM 7.00PM 2.00PM 7.30PM 4.30PM
15
Hidden Gems with Piatti Quartet & Friends
Christ Church Ulster Orchestra
Gala Variety Concert Guildhall
17
Music
Beyond Borders:
Sherman-Petcu duo
White Box, Foyle Arts Building
The Art of Song with Ailish Tynan and Cathal Breslin
Great Hall, Magee
Sons & Daughters of Derry
Christ Church
Visit our website: walledcitymusic.com
Get tickets:
ticketsource.co.uk/walled-city-music
7.30PM
Michael Trainor (violin), Emily Holland (violin), Miguel Sobrinho (viola), Jessie Ann Richardson (cello), with Sabina Hu (flute) and Cathal Breslin (piano).
The opening gala concert of the 2024 Walled City Music Festival welcomes the distinguished Piatti Quartet (UK), renowned for their ‘profound music making’ (The Strad) and ‘lyrical warmth’ (BBC Music Magazine).
The prize-winning quartet are famed for their diverse programming and for passionate interpretations across the spectrum of quartet writing, and will perform alongside Co-Artistic Directors of the Festival Sabrina Hu (flute) and Cathal Breslin (piano) in the beautiful and atmospheric setting of Christ Church.
The concert promises an exquisite journey through unfamiliar music that is fast gaining
in recognition, including the rich romanticism of American composer Amy Beach, the contemporary brilliance of Belfast-born Deirdre Gribbin, the lesser-known beauty of Ina Boyle, and the musical genius of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.
Programme
Amy Beach:
Theme and variation for flute and string quartet op.80 (1916)
Deirdre Gribbin:
Somewhere I have never travelled (2015)
Ina Boyle:
String Quartet in E minor (1934)
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor:
Piano Quintet in G minor, op.1 (1893)
Get ready for a musical journey the whole family will love! Northern Ireland’s premier symphony orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, is conducted by the dynamic David Brophy in an unforgettable listener-friendly concert featuring beloved film scores, timeless opera hits and popular orchestral classics.
Experience the magic of orchestral music with guest performances by one of Ireland’s leading sopranos, Ailish Tynan, and Derryborn pianist Cathal Breslin.
John Williams:
Indiana Jones – Raiders of the Lost Ark: Raiders March
Bedrich Smetana:
Overture: The Bartered Bride
W.A. Mozart:
‘In uomini, in Soldati’ from Cosi fan tutte
Giacomo Puccini:
‘Vissi d’arte’ from Tosca
P.I. Tchaikovsky:
The Nutcracker: Waltz of the Flowers
Sergei Rachmaninov:
Variations 17 & 18 from Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini
FRIDAY 15 MARCH 7.00PM
P.I. Tchaikovsky: Finale of Piano Concerto No. 1
Johann Strauss: Overture: Die Fledermaus
Giacomo Puccini: ‘Oh Mio babbino caro’ from Gianni Schicci
W.A.Mozart:
‘Alleluia’ from Exsultate jubilate
Camille Saint-Saens:
Bacchanale from Samson & Delilah
Trad. arr. Harty: The Londonderry Air
John Williams:
Star Wars: Throne Room and End Title
2.00PM
Walled City Music Festival is delighted to present new music duo, Nathan Sherman (viola) and Alex Petcu (percussion) for an afternoon of brand-new compositions in partnership with the Contemporary Music Centre Ireland and the PRS Foundation Beyond Borders scheme.
Featured composers include Derry-born Kevin O’Connell, award-winning Armagh composer Áine Mallon, internationally-acclaimed Ed Bennett, and the Swedish maestro Karen Rehnqvist, alongside an exciting recent work from Nick Roth and a world premiere from established Irish composer Benjamin Dwyer.
This concert will also feature a pre-concert chat with some of the composers and the Director of CMC, Evonne Ferguson, meeting those who have created the music and exploring the inspiration for their works.
Supported by PRS Foundation’s Beyond Borders, a co-commissioning and touring programme run in partnership with Creative Scotland, Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Arts Council of Ireland / An Chomhairle Ealaíon.
Kevin O’Connell*: Encuentro
Aine Mallon*: Arboreal
Ed Bennett*: Twister
Benjamin Dwyer: Lagantong (first performance)
Karin Rehnqvist: I Thought the Sea Would Sing to Me
Nick Roth: Sophia x Bythos
*Beyond Borders commission
Welcome to a magical evening with one of Ireland’s finest sopranos, Ailish Tynan, in the beautiful setting of the Great Hall, Ulster University Campus Magee, accompanied by Co-Artistic Director of the Festival and pianist, Cathal Breslin.
The former BBC Singer of the World has established herself as one of the foremost operatic singers in the country and performs regularly with the top orchestras and in recital at festivals and venues across the UK and Ireland.
Ailish will perform a sumptuous programme of Fauré, Schubert and Wolf, as well as a selection of traditional Irish folksongs on this St Patrick’s Day weekend recital.
SATURDAY 16 MARCH
7.30PM
Gabriel Fauré:
Cinq Mélodies ‘de Venise’ (1891) Op. 58
Franz Schubert: Ständchen (Horch horch die lerch)
Nacht und Träume
Gretchen am Spinnrade
Die junge Nonne
Ave Maria
Hugo Wolf: Blumengruss Ganymed
Gleich und gleich
Kennst du das Land
Auch Kleine dinge
Mein Liebster ist so Klein
Trad. arr. Hughes: The Spanish Lady
Frank Bridge: Goldenhair
Muriel Herbert: Lake Isle of Innisfree
Samuel Barber:
Solitary hotel
Edmund Pendleton: Bid adieu
Trad. arr. Hughes: Tigaree torum orum
MARCH 4.30PM
MARGARET KEYS (SOPRANO)
GEORGE HUTTON (TENOR)
GERARD MCCHRYSTAL (SAXOPHONE)
KIM VAUGHAN (CELLO)
CATHAL BRESLIN (PIANO)
Happy St. Patrick’s Day and welcome to this late afternoon gala variety concert celebrating the musical sons and daughters of Derry with an eclectic and wide-ranging programme of Irish melodies, hits from the musicals and popular classical works.
The fifteenth Walled City Music Festival comes to a rousing finish with soprano Margaret Keys, tenor George Hutton, cellist Kim Vaughan, saxophonist Gerard McChrystal and Co-Artistic Director of the Festival, Cathal Breslin (piano).
WALLED CITY MUSIC IS DELIGHTED TO PROGRAMME A SERIES OF INSPIRATIONAL AND INCLUSIVE WORKSHOPS LED BY VISITING ARTISTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN FOUR LOCAL PRIMARY AND POST-PRIMARY SCHOOLS, AS PART OF THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL.
TUESDAY 12 MARCH, LONG TOWER PRIMARY SCHOOL AND LISNAGELVIN PRIMARY SCHOOL
The Ulster Orchestra will visit two primary schools in the city to deliver their ‘Inspiration Workshops’ programme, which is designed to inspire and nurture a love of the orchestra and orchestral music. The aim is to take young people on an interactive journey of discovery, interlaced with live performance by Ulster Orchestra musicians of well-known music from TV, film & gaming.
ULSTER ORCHESTRA REHEARSAL WORKSHOPS
TUESDAY 12 MARCH, LUMEN CHRISTI COLLEGE AND ST. MARY’S COLLEGE
The Ulster Orchestra will visit two post-primary schools in Derry to work with their orchestral ensembles. The professional musicians will lead sectional and/or tutti rehearsals to help build the ensemble’s confidence, develop their musicianship and performance skills, and nurture their love and enjoyment of orchestral music.
Cathal Breslin has been praised worldwide as one of the most exciting pianists of his generation with critical acclaim such as “superb intensity and passion” (Cleveland Plain Dealer), “energizing” (Belfast Telegraph), and “a deep connection to the music” (Tampa Oracle), and “noble poetry” (The Independent, London). Born in Derry, Northern Ireland, a growing international career has taken him to concert halls throughout Europe, U.S.A. and Asia.
As a chamber musician, Cathal performs as a member of Trio Festivale, and in duo recitals with leading international artists including flutist Sir James Galway, violinists Augustin Dumay and Dmitry Sitkovetsky, flutists Sabrina Hu and Richard Sherman, and cellists Jan Vogler and Raphael Wallfisch.
He is currently Assistant Professor of Piano at Arizona State University, School of Music, Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.
Sabrina has enjoyed an exciting international performing career in many prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall in New York City, the National Concert Hall in Ireland, Beijing University in China, and Seoul, Korea.
Sabrina’s performances have been broadcast live on BBC radio and TV, and have been described as “warm, sensitively balanced and flexible” with “emotional engagement... expressive depth” by the Irish Times.
Originally from Houston, Texas, Sabrina’s early studies were at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. She then attended the Mannes College of Music in New York City, Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England, and in 2008, Sabrina completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Michigan State University.
Since their prizewinning performances at the 2015 Wigmore Hall String Quartet Competition, the Piatti Quartet have performed all over the world, made international broadcasts from many countries, and commissioned and recorded some of the most major and impressive works added to the quartet canon in recent years.
Accolades in 2023 included Gramophone’s ‘Editor’s Choice for the Month’ with the NMC label, a five-star review from BBC Music Magazine with Delphian and in 2022 they were nominated for ‘Recording of the Year’ with both Limelight and Gramophone for their collaborative disc on the Hyperion label.
Contemporary music has been ever present in their repertoire. Major commissions and dedications have stemmed from Mark-Anthony Turnage, Emily Howard, Charlotte Harding, and Joseph Phibbs whilst they have premiered a mesmerising number of new works over the years.
Historical research into quartet music that has been undiscovered or deserves to be better known has led to the premiere recording of Ina Boyle’s (Ireland) String Quartet in E minor, and performances of lesser-known quartet gems by Ralph Vaughan Williams, E.J. Moeran, Rachmaninov, Ireland, Haas, Ulmann, and Durosoir.
The quartet’s name is dedicated to Alfredo Piatti, a 19th Century virtuoso cellist who was a professor at the Royal Academy of Music (the alma mater of the founder of the quartet) and also a major exponent of chamber music and contemporary music of his time.
Founded in 1966, the Ulster Orchestra has been at the forefront of musical life in Northern Ireland for over 50 years and the Orchestra’s full-time musicians form the region’s only professional symphony orchestra. In 2019/20 the Ulster Orchestra appointed Daniele Rustioni as its Chief Conductor, becoming the Orchestra’s Music Director in 2022/23.
With a mission to enrich the lives of people living in Northern Ireland, those visiting, and those who encounter it through international touring and regular radio and TV broadcasts with both BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Radio 3, the Orchestra strives for excellence in all it undertakes, be it regular concert performances, learning and community engagement programmes, or creative collaborations across the arts.
The Ulster Orchestra’s recordings are gaining global critical acclaim, with a recent CD of music by Kurt Weill on SOMM records garnering praise such as “The Ulster Orchestra gets into every nook and cranny of this neglected piece (the brass are particularly outstanding)” (BBC Classical Music). The Orchestra also regularly records for labels such as Hyperion, Naxos, Chandos and Toccata Classics.
An important aspect of the Ulster Orchestra’s work is its annual touring programme of concerts, which brings live orchestral music to the heart of communities across the region, while its Learning and Community Engagement programme aims to connect the Orchestra with communities and individuals across Northern Ireland, both as audiences and participants.
American-born violist Nathan Sherman has been based in Dublin since 1999 and enjoys a career collaborating with other adventurous musicians. His curiosity and eclecticism allows him to present work ranging from Schütz and Purcell, to experimenting with heavy metal and aquariums. Nathan is a tireless commissioner and his “commanding and assured” performances (Journal of Music) have brought him around the world.
As founding member and Artistic Director of the acclaimed chamber group Ficino Ensemble, Nathan performs a vast amount of music and has released two albums. Folk Songs, including works by Luciano Berio was included in the Guardian’s Top 10 of 2022 and best of Bandcamp’s contemporary classical. The group also enjoy creating opportunities for younger composers through their yearly workshop series.
Nathan has premiered over 100 works and his work has been presented on radio stations worldwide. Current projects a new album with percussionist Alex Petcu and their debut album Totemic was given four stars in the Irish Times. In 2024, Nathan will record an album new music for viola and electronics and present it at New Music Dublin and in the USA.
Nathan regularly plays with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, Irish Chamber Orchestra, Irish Baroque Orchestra, Crash Ensemble, and Evlana. In 2013, Nathan and his wife created the Offbeat Ensemble, a community orchestra in Dublin which regularly raises money to buy instruments for children.
An Irish musician of Romanian origin, Alex is quickly establishing himself both nationally and internationally as a percussionist of the finest calibre. His debut album, “Alex Petcu: In Time”, released on the RTE lyric fm label, showcases both seminal works and new contributions to the percussion repertoire. An active freelance musician, Alex performs with a wide variety of ensembles and in a range of settings. In particular, he enjoys working with composers to create new works that push the boundaries of what music for percussion can be. He is a member of Crash Ensemble. Their most recent work include the world premieres of large scale works by Andrew Hamilton, Barry O’Halpin and Donnacha Dennehy. He has also commissioned several new works for viola and percussion duo with Nathan Sherman, some of which have been released on CD on the Ergodos label. He also runs his own ensemble, the Bangers and Crash Percussion Group who play everything from intimate concerts and workshops, to massive projects that feature hundreds of instruments!
Aside from his performing activities, Alex is also assistant lecturer in percussion at the MTU Cork School of Music. He holds an MA in music performance, and an MSc and BSc in physics.
Irish soprano Ailish Tynan won the 2003 Rosenblatt Recital Song Prize at BBC Cardiff Singer of the World. She was a member of the prestigious Vilar Young Artist Programme at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and a BBC New Generation Artist, where she recorded and performed prolifically with the BBC orchestras and in recital.
Ailish’s operatic engagements include Mimì La bohème, Vixen The Cunning Little Vixen (Grange Park Opera); Gretel Hänsel und Gretel (ROH, WNO, Scottish Opera); First Lady Die Zauberflöte, Berta Il barbiere di Siviglia, Madame Cortese Il viaggio a Reims, Marzelline Fidelio, Podtotshina’s Daughter The Nose (ROH); Tigrane Radamisto (ENO); Papagena Die Zauberflöte (ROH, Teatro alla Scala); Despina Così fan tutte (Garsington Opera, Théâtre du Capitole); Héro Béatrice et Bénédict (Houston Grand Opera, Opéra Comique); Sophie Der Rosenkavalier, Nannetta Falstaff, Atalanta Xerxes (Royal Swedish Opera); and Miss Wordsworth Albert Herring (Opéra Comique, Opéra de Rouen).
A passionate recitalist, she performs internationally with pianists including Iain Burnside, James Baillieu, Graham Johnson and Simon Lepper. Her numerous recordings include Fauré Melodies; Nacht und Träume; An Irish Songbook; and Airs from another Planet with the Hebrides Ensemble.
Margaret Keys is a chart-topping and awardwinning Classical soprano from Derry. She has been hailed as a unique find: “Every once in a while an artist makes you feel truly humbled. Margaret Keys is one of those artists. She has a voice of pure warmth and beauty. (Universal Records)
Her most recent album “The Gift of Music” topped the UK Classical and Classic FM Charts, making her the first female from Ireland ever to achieve this.
Margaret has performed extensively throughout the world and has sung with some of the world’s leading orchestras and performers. She made her debut in New York’s Carnegie Hall in December 2016 and was selected to perform for Pope Francis in a special concert for his first visit to the USA which was broadcast to an audience of 1.5million.
Following these successes Margaret has performed and toured with West End star Alfie Boe, Russell Watson, Andrea Bocelli, Paul Potts and was special guest to the multiplatinum selling The Fron Male Voice Choir on their recent New York City and UK tours.
Margaret was invited to perform at HRH Prince of Wales Foundation for Children and Arts Concert, which was aired to an audience of 5 million on Classic FM and Sky Arts. Her high-profile performances have made a great impact on the world of classical music and thus prompted her appointment as the Irish Ambassador for HRH Prince of Wales Foundation for Children and Arts. She is also now a very proud ambassador and supporter of The Sick Children’s trust.
Born and raised in Derry City, George discovered his love for music at a young age, inspired by the rich cultural tapestry of his hometown. With a voice that effortlessly spans the realms of classical and contemporary music, he embarked on a remarkable journey that has seen him grace some of the world’s most prestigious stages.
From his early beginnings, honing his craft in local venues, to captivating audiences at the BBC Proms, his musical odyssey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Venturing beyond his homeland, he embarked on extensive tours across the United States, sharing the spotlight with the renowned Five Irish Tenors, and has toured worldwide with acclaimed vocal ensemble Anúna. George has collaborated with fellow luminaries such as Glen Hansard, Hozier, and Phil Coulter.
Now, on the brink of a new chapter in his career, George is currently preparing for the recording of his debut classical/crossover album.
Gerard McChrystal was born in Derry, studied in the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and was the first student to graduate from RNCM with three awards in 1986.
Gerard went on to study at The Guildhall School in London and during this year he reached the final of the RTE Young Musician of the year for the second time, won The Lombard & Ulster £15,000 Foundation on RTE’s The Late, Late Show with Gay Byrne, The Royal Overseas League (London), The Countess of Music Award, The Sir James Caird Travelling Awarded (Scotland), The Martin Music Award, The NFMS Award and appeared on the BBC’s Opportunity Knocks with Bob Monkhouse. Gerard won a scholarship to study at Northwestern University in Chicago with Fred Hemke and was awarded his Masters degree in 1988.
Gerard has performed in over 35 countries including China, USA, New Zealand, Korea, South Africa and Azerbaijan. He was an ambassador for Derry-Londonderry UK City of Culture 2013 and performed in the opening and closing concerts with artists including Snow Patrol, The Undertones, Liam O’ Flynn, Dana and James Nesbitt. He has made 15 CDs with orchestras including BBC NOW, Ulster Orchestra and London Musici. His saxophone series are published in London and Melbourne.
Gerard is Professor of Saxophone at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, London and also teaches at RWCMD, Cardiff. He is a Vandoren Artist.
Kim Vaughan
Kim Vaughan is a cellist and educator based in Edinburgh. She studied cello in Derry and Dublin and in 2000 was awarded the Northern Ireland Young Musician of the Year prize. She continued her studies at the Royal Northern College of Music from 2003 and in 2009 was a recipient of the Arts Council of Northern Irelands Young Musician’s Platform, which led to concerto performances with the Ulster Orchestra and a recital at the Belfast Festival at Queens, both recorded for BBC Radio Ulster.
Whilst at the RNCM she was a founding member of the Benyounes String Quartet, with whom she studied at the Haute École de Musique in Geneva under Gabor TakacsNagy. Here they won the conservatoire’s most esteemed Prix d’Exellence and went on to win the 2012 1st International Sandor Vegh String Quartet Competition in Budapest and second prize at the 2014 Orlando String Quartet
Competition. The quartet gave concerts to critical acclaim across the UK and Europe at venues such as Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room, King’s Place, Vienna Konzerthaus, St Martin in the Fields, LSO St. Lukes, and the Budapest, Mondsee, Aldeburgh, Verbier, Gstaad New Year, West Cork, and Aix-en-Provence Festivals.
Kim enjoys a varied career as a chamber musician and freelance player with orchestras such as the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. She teaches cello and chamber music at St Mary’s Music School and is part of the faculty at the National Youth String Orchestra and Young Chamber Music.
Kim plays an English cello made by William Forster from ca. 1770 for which she is grateful for the support of Harriet’s Trust.
THANK YOU!
Arts Council of Northern Ireland
Derry City and Strabane District Council
SPONSOR
KPMG PARTNERS
Ulster University
Ulster Orchestra
Cathal Breslin, Artistic Director
Sabrina Hu, Artistic Director
Matthew Greenall, Executive Director
Fiona Crosbie, General Manager
Rob Egan, Digital Marketing Officer
SPECIAL THANKS TO
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