Experience Captivating Performances and Seasonal Charm This November 

The West Wicklow Festival is thrilled to unveil its Winter Weekend programme, offering a series of enchanting concerts from November 14th to 17th, 2024. This seasonal edition of the festival will bring together world-class musicians for unforgettable performances in the luxurious Manor House at Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort, promising a delightful experience for all music enthusiasts.

The Winter Weekend programme commences on Thursday 14th November at 8pm with Irish violinist Patrick Rafter and festival founder / pianist Fiachra Garvey, to celebrate the launch of their debut album with Rubicon Classics. This much-loved duo will perform a captivating programme beginning with the poignant Poème Élégiaque by Ysaÿe, inspired by Shakespeare’s tragic love story, Romeo and Juliet, and dedicated to Fauré, a work which Ysaÿe himself stated was “evidence of my desire to link music and virtuosity”. The connection to Fauré continues with Ravel’s Sonata No. 2 in G major. Having studied composition with Fauré, this sonata is hugely influenced by Ravel’s love of American jazz and blues music. The second half comprises Lekeu’s gargantuan Sonata in G major, a tour de force, full of energetic bursts of passion and dramatic climaxes.  The duo will sign copies of their new release following the performance.

The Winter Weekend will continue on Friday 15th November with a mesmerising concert featuring Irish clarinettist Carol McGonnell, English violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen, and pianist Fiachra Garvey. The trio’s programme will include the evocative and folk-inspired Trio for clarinet, violin, and piano by Khachaturian, followed by Stravinsky’s dynamic L’Histoire du soldat, inspired by the Russian tale of The Runaway Soldier and the Devil, and Milhaud’s spirited Suite Op.157b, written for the stage play The Traveller Without Baggage. This concert will also proudly include a new festival commission by the acclaimed Irish composer and video-game music sensation Eímear Noone, to commemorate the West Wicklow-born ballet icon Ninette de Valois. “For several years now I have wanted to commission a work to pay tribute to one of the greatest cultural icons from West Wicklow, Dame Ninette de Valois. A pioneer in so many respects, one of her greatest legacies was the establishment of the Royal Ballet. Born locally at Baltyboys House as Edris Stannus, Ninette’s story is one of great adventure! When I was contemplating a composer to approach with regards to writing this new commission, I immediately thought of Eímear Noone, particularly due to her close connection to the LA Ballet for many years.” (Fiachra Garvey, festival founder and artistic director). Concluding this concert will be Bartók’s vibrant Contrasts Sz.111, written for the American clarinettist Benny Goodman (a.k.a. “The King of Swing”).

The music continues on Saturday 16th November at 12 noon with a Rising Stars Concert that will showcase the extraordinary talents of South Korean violinist Jisun Min and Latvian pianist Didzis Kalniņš. The dynamic duo will present a stunning programme including Stravinsky’s ballet-inspired Suite Italienne, Mendelssohn’s lyrical Sonata in F major and Ravel’s fiery Tzigane. Min and Kalniņš will also perform an exciting world premiere of the winning composition from the West Wicklow Festival’s Composition Competition, in partnership with the Contemporary Music Centre.

On Saturday evening the acclaimed French piano trio, Trio Talweg, present a compelling programme starting with Britten’s French-influenced Introduction and Allegro, Schumann’s most celebrated and intensely romantic Piano Trio No.1 in D minor, Op.63, Irish composer Gerald Barry’s uniquely vivacious and rhythmical Triorchic Blues, and finishing with Ravel’s exquisite Piano Trio in A minor, M. 67, arguably the most loved of all piano trios. Trio Talweg’s pianist Romain Descharmes makes a welcome return to Ireland, following his success as 1st prizewinner of the 2006 AXA Dublin International Piano Competition.

The Winter Weekend concludes with an exquisite Sunday afternoon recital featuring Irish star soprano Anna Devin and pianist Fiachra Garvey. The wide-ranging programme will include songs and solo piano works by Chausson, Debussy, Ravel, Grieg, Gershwin, and Korngold. Two particular highlights will be Ravel’s exotic interpretation of Schéhérazade (the heroine of A Thousand and One Nights) and the roar of American jazz in Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue for solo piano.

Artistic Director Fiachra Garvey commented, “We are delighted to present this year’s Winter Weekend programme, which offers a rich and diverse selection of performances by outstanding musicians. The Winter Weekend is a celebration of the beauty and warmth of chamber music, set in the charming and festive atmosphere of West Wicklow. A special thank you to the management and all the staff at Tulfarris for making us feel so welcome. We hope you enjoy your experience at the concerts, as well as the wonderful facilities the hotel has to offer!” 

In addition to celebrating world-class performances, the West Wicklow Festival is committed to expanding its education and outreach programmes, making music more accessible to the wider community. We are thrilled to announce a new partnership with Baltinglass Further Education and Training Centre and Music Generation Wicklow to launch a 10-week course in Adult Music Appreciation and Education, running from September to November. This initiative responds to the increasing demand for adult music education, particularly among early school leavers.

This inclusive programme is designed to deepen community engagement with music education. Participants will explore the fundamentals of music under the guidance of local tutor Niall Hughes and benefit from masterclasses in songwriting and choral skills led by two distinguished guest artists. These sessions will illustrate how music can serve as a powerful tool for social engagement, from supporting underrepresented composers to advocating for climate action. Additionally, the course will emphasise the transferable skills gained through music education, such as creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Participants will showcase their experiences and learnings in a coffee concert on Sunday, 17th November, the final day of the Winter Weekend Festival.

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Tickets (€10-€35 +bkg fee) for the West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival’s concerts are now on sale from www.westwicklowfestival.com.

The West Wicklow Festival is funded by the Arts Council and supported by Wicklow Arts Office, the Apollo Foundation and RTÉ Supporting the Arts.