Press release 21/11/2017

Royal Irish Academy of Music and National Gallery of Ireland present an exciting new series of music-making with major names from the music world.

RIAM/NGI International Visiting Artists Series \ Tickets from www.riam.ie

The Royal Irish Academy of Music partners with the National Gallery of Ireland to present the inaugural RIAM/NGI International Visiting Artists Series, a joyful and diverse new programme featuring musicians of world renown.  The four-concert series takes place over six months (between December 2017 and May 2018) in the Shaw Room of the National Gallery of Ireland, and features such household names as Sir James Galway (Thursday, December 7th) and pianist John O’Conor (Sunday, February 18), as well as Chinese guitar sensation, Xuefei Yang (Sunday, February 4) and charismatic violinist, Daniel Rowland (Sunday, May 20).  All four artists are members of the RIAM’s impressive roster of International Visiting Artists who pay regular visits to the Academy to work with the next generation of musicians. 

Speaking about the partnership, Deborah Kelleher, Director, Royal Irish Academy of Music said: "We're delighted to collaborate once again with our neighbours, the National Gallery of Ireland, in the provision of high calibre live music in Dublin.  The magnificently restored Shaw Room provides the perfect backdrop for our wonderful new series, which will undoubtedly be a welcome addition to Dublin's musical calendar. We value the experience which hosting these International Visiting Artists brings to staff and students of the Academy, and the pleasure these artists give audiences through their exceptional music-making.” 

Also speaking on the renewed collaboration, Sean Rainbird, Director, National Gallery of Ireland said: “Our public has many happy memories of music performed at the National Gallery of Ireland. Performers often comment on the lovely acoustics of the Shaw Room. Following the reopening of the historic wings, I am delighted we are collaborating again with the RIAM on a series of concerts, which are sure to be as memorable as those in the past.”

Globally renowned flautist, Sir James Galway, opens the inaugural RIAM/NGI International Visiting Artists Series, in his own inimitable style with a feast of flute playing with members of the RIAM’s distinguished Teaching Staff, and his partner in life and music, Lady Jeanne Galway. Regarded as the supreme interpreter of the classical flute repertoire and a consummate entertainer, Sir James Galway’s appeal crosses all musical boundaries. His concert on Thursday, December 7 is bound to be a musical highlight.

Chinese guitarist Xuefei Yang is one of the few guitarists whose artistry connects with audiences far beyond the guitar fraternity.  An exceptional artist, she is recognised as one of the world's greatest advocates of the guitar, performing frequently with the world’s leading orchestras and collaborating with such distinguished artists as Ian Bostridge, Rosalind Plowright and Sir James Galway. On this special occasion, Xuefei Yang collaborates with the vibrant 20-strong GuitaRIAM in a programme that celebrates the richness of her instrument on Sunday, February 4.

Described as “a pianist of unbounding sensitivity” (Gramophone), John O'Conor has garnered great critical acclaim for his masterly playing for over 40 years. His unanimous First Prize at the International Beethoven Piano Competition in Vienna in 1973 opened the door to a career that has brought him all around the world. One of Ireland’s finest musical ambassadors, for his concert in this series on Sunday, February 18, he collaborates with members of the Academy Chamber Ensemble – Fionnuala Hunt, Sebastian Liebig, Simon Aspell and Christopher Marwood - in a concert of chamber music greats by Dvořák and Beethoven.

The inaugural RIAM/NGI International Visiting Artists Series comes to a spirited conclusion on Sunday, May 20 with the charismatic violinist Daniel Rowland, hailed as a highly versatile and adventurous artist on the international music scene. A passionate chamber musician, he has performed with artists as diverse as Ivry Gitlis, Heinz Holliger, Gilles Apap, Marcelo Nisinman, Martin Fröst, Elvis Costello and Lars Vogt. Daniel joins forces with the stylish and vibrant RIAM Chamber Orchestra for a performance of the perennially popular Four Seasons by Vivaldi, alongside Piazzolla’s tango-inspired The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires. An energetic and enjoyable way to end this first series.

RIAM/NGI International Visiting Artists Series

Venue (four concerts):  The Shaw Room, National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square, Dublin 2

Admission: €20 / €15 / €10 per concert

Tickets: www.riam.ie

Thursday 7 December 2017 / 6.30pm
Sir James Galway, flute
Lady Jeanne Galway, flute
Dearbhla Brosnan, piano
William Dowdall, flute
Susan Doyle, Ríona Ó Duinnín and Vourneen Ryan, flute
Ailbhe McDonagh, cello

Programme
Haydn: Trio No 1 C major for Two Flutes and Cello Hob IV:1 London
Boismortier: Concerto for Five Flutes in G Major, op 15, no 1 
Gaubert: Sonata No 3
Morlacchi: Il Pastore Svizzero
Doppler Andante and Rondo, op 25

Sunday 4 February 2018 / 3pm
Roland Dyens: Concert en Si
Xuefei Yang, guitar

Programme
Handel: Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
Roland Dyens: April Song and Austin Tango
Vincent Lindsey Clark: Pulsar
William Kanengiiser: Carmen Suite

Sunday 18 February / 3pm
John O'Conor, piano
Fionnuala Hunt and Sebastian Liebig, violins 
Simon Aspell, viola 
Christopher Marwood, cello

Programme
Beethoven: Sonata for Violin and Piano in F major, op 24, Spring
Dvořák: Piano Quintet in A major, op 81

Sunday 20 May 2018 / 3pm
RIAM Chamber Orchestra
Daniel Rowland, director

Programme
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons
Piazzolla: The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires

For further information on the RIAM/NGI International Artists Series email Mary Folan  - [email protected]