The beautiful venue of Christ Church, Fermoy was packed to capacity for the recent Evening of Classical Music and Song that took place on Sunday, April 8.
The concert marked the first public performance of a piano concerto in Fermoy, and included an ambitious classical repertoire with works by Albéniz, Bach, Brahms, Field, Haydn, Mozart, Schumann and contemporary works by Irish composer, Aidan Duggan.
The audience was left utterly thrilled and delighted by the wonderful performances on this special evening.
The evening began with a bilingual introduction in Irish and in English by local man, Tadhg Ó Síocháin who opened the concert followed by a riveting rendition of Dichterliebe 1-4 by Schumann performed by tenor Orison Carlile, and pianist, Aidan Duggan.
This was followed by the opening piano solo of the evening by local Fermoy girl, Gormfhlaith Ní Shíocháin Ní Bheoláin (17) who performed Brahm’s Intermezzo Opus 118 no. 2 with great emotion and tenderness, followed by a compelling performance of Brahm’s Romance Opus 118 no. 5 for solo piano by Aidan Duggan.
Next to the stage were two young boys from 5th and 6th class in Gaelscoil de hÍde, Fermoy, Amhlaoibh Ó Síocháin Ó Beoláin (11) and John Lonergan (12), who wowed the audience with stunning renditions of Bach’s Inventio no. 1 and Rumores de la Caleta Opus 71 by Albéniz.
Aidan Duggan and Gormfhlaith Ní Shíocháin Ní Bheoláin (soloist) returned to the stage for an electrifying and beautiful performance of Haydn’s Piano Concerto Hob. XVIII: 11 with Duggan performing the orchestra part. The concerto performance received a standing ovation with shouts of ‘Bravo!’ from the crowd.
The second half resumed with tenor Orison Carlile, accompanied by Aidan Duggan, who performed three Irish Art Songs: 'Macushla', 'Gortnamona', and ‘Then You’ll Remember Me’.
This was followed by an enchanting special guest performance by gifted young musician, Liam Fleming (18), who gave a masterful performance of the 2nd Adagio movement of Mozart’s clarinet concerto KV622.
Duggan and Carlile then returned to the stage to perform two original compositions by Duggan: ‘A Flower is Looking Through the Ground’ and ‘Bed in Summer’, much to the delight of the audience.
The young soloist, Gormfhlaith Ní Shíocháin Ní Bheoláin, performed the final solo piece of the evening: Nocturne no. 4 by Irish Romantic composer, John Field.
After thanking the select Vestry of the Fermoy Union of Parishes, teachers, friends, and the wonderfully attentive audience in Fermoy, the young pianist returned to the stage to perform all three movements of the joyous and daring KV381 piano duet by Mozart with her teacher, Aidan Duggan.
This was received to great applause and yet another standing ovation! Following the extraordinary success of the Evening of Classical Music and Song, there are rumours that the founding of the Fermoy Classical Music Society will follow.
