Winter Chamber Music Festival 2024

Fidelio Trio Winter Chamber Music Festival 2024

Immerse yourself in a weekend of unforgettable music at the twelfth FIDELIO TRIO WINTER CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL, from Friday, 22nd November to Sunday, 24th November 2024, at Belvedere House, DCU, Drumcondra, and The National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin. Presented by GlasDrum and curated by the internationally renowned Fidelio Trio, this year’s festival promises to be an exciting and intimate journey through Irish traditional sounds, cutting-edge contemporary music, and timeless classical masterpieces.

The festival kicks off in spectacular fashion on Friday, 22nd November, with a concert unlike any other: "They Danced While the Musicians Played", featuring the world-class uilleann piper Cillian Vallely of Lúnasa. In this spellbinding collaboration, the Fidelio Trio and Vallely blend the soulful, haunting tones of the uilleann pipes with a modern piano trio, bringing you new works by some of Ireland’s most celebrated composers. Inspired by artist John B. Vallely’s evocative paintings, these compositions burst with energy, colour, and tradition. The programme also includes music by the late, legendary Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, a stirring mix of classical and traditional sounds that will transport you straight to the heart of Irish culture.

If you love music and nature, don’t miss the free lunchtime concert on Saturday, 23rd November at 1pm, set against the stunning backdrop of the National Botanic Gardens. Take a moment of serenity as the Fidelio Trio presents "Music from Bohemia", featuring Jessie Montgomery’s Duo for violin and cello, alongside rarely-heard works for two violins and viola by Dvořák and Martinů. We are delighted this year to collaborate with renowned guest artists; Irish Violinist Maighréad McCrann, Concert Master of ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra and Professor of violin at the University of Performing Arts in Graz, and one of the UK's most sought after chamber musicians, Scottish Violist Fiona Winning. This unique setting makes for an unforgettable afternoon of live music, perfect for families, friends, and nature lovers alike.

Saturday night brings an extraordinary world premiere: Richard Causton’s If I Could Tell You, a deeply moving new work commissioned especially for the festival. Causton’s piano trio is unveiled alongside two monumental works of the classical repertoire: Schumann’s Piano Trio in D Minor Op. 63 and Brahms’ electrifying Piano Quartet in G Minor Op. 25. The 7:30pm concert will be preceded by an insightful pre-concert talk with the composer, offering a rare glimpse into the creative process behind this new masterpiece.

Finally, the festival concludes on Sunday, 24th November, with a celebration of Ailís Ní Ríain’s thought-provoking new work, Born unfixed to bend and break and leave behind, followed by a tribute to Gabriel Fauré on the 100th anniversary of his passing. The event closes with Schubert’s magnificent Piano Trio in E flat major, a timeless work.

This festival is an unmissable opportunity to experience world-class live performances in an intimate setting, right in the heart of Dublin. Whether you’re a lifelong classical fan or just looking for something extraordinary to do this winter, the Fidelio Trio Winter Chamber Music Festival promises to captivate, inspire, and delight.

Book your tickets now and be part of a weekend where tradition, innovation, and passion come together for a truly unforgettable experience

Tickets available from eventbrite.ie. Full programme available at this link.

The Fidelio Trio Winter Chamber Music Festival is brought to you by GlasDrum in partnership with Music at DCU, with funding from the Arts Council Festivals Investment Scheme. The event is supported by RTÉ Supporting the Arts, and the Saturday lunchtime concert at the National Botanic Gardens by the Office of Public Works.