World class live music featuring some of Europe’s leading classical musicians, award-winning Irish traditional musicians, a folk supergroup and a Grammy Award winner

Put a spring in your step with our 2019 Concert Series, which once again provides a unique opportunity to hear world class chamber, traditional and roots music in intimate venues across Ireland – all at a very affordable price. From January to May, 43 concerts take place in 23 venues, quality live music presented by Music Network to audiences across 16 counties. Details at musicnetwork.ie.

Commenting on the season, Music Network’s CEO Sharon Rollston says, “We’re off to a high-flying start as two of traditional music’s most sublime voices share a stage: Scots songbird Siobhan Miller and Corca Dhuibhne’s own Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh are joined by accordionist extraordinaire Damien Mullane and multi-instrumentalist Anna Massie on guitar, banjo and mandolin.
In February, it’s “Inspiring Bach” as Irish violinist Claire Duff and French harpsichordist Benjamin Alard come together in a new Music Network collaboration to remind us why Bach’s music continues to inspire and move audiences worldwide over 250 years after his death.
Then buckle up as Grammy Award-winning singer Rhiannon Giddens and Italian accordion player & percussionist Francesco Turrisi whisk you away on a globe- and genre-trotting musical tour – meeting rootsy folk, blues and gospel along the way.
And if you are still up for more, April brings the passionate and vibrant cello playing of Raphaela Gromes, showcasing some spectacularly virtuosic compositions with her long-term collaborator, pianist Julian Riem.
In a rousing season finale, things step up a gear the minute French-Canadian folk supergroup De Temps Antan start tapping those clogged feet, with David Boulanger’s masterful fiddle playing complimented by Pierre-Luc Dupuis on harmonica and accordion and the hypnotic rhythms of guitarist Éric Beaudry.”
“We are particularly pleased to announce that Jane O’Leary and Kevin Volans have been invited by Music Network to create new music for our upcoming season”, adds Rollston, “continuing our work of regularly commissioning Irish composers. Claire Duff and Benjamin Alard will premiere O’Leary’s composition in February and Volans’ new work will premiere on our April tour with Raphaela Gromes and Julian Riem.”
Music Network’s mission is to make live music available and accessible to as many people as possible, giving Irish audiences the chance to experience the very best in international chamber, jazz, roots and traditional music in venues throughout Ireland at affordable prices. All tours are co-promoted with a network of valued partner promoters across the country in order to develop local capacity to provide musical activity. In addition, Music Network connects its tours with music education programmes and groups around the country including Music Generation participants, primary, second and third level students, Music Capital Scheme awardees, and music schools and groups nationwide.
Music Network tours are funded by the Arts Council. Tickets for all regional concerts are available from individual venues (booking fees may apply); single tickets for Dublin concerts range from €10 – €20 (including complimentary programme) and can be purchased by calling Music Network on (01) 475 0224 or booking online at www.musicnetwork.ie. All our concerts offer great music at very reasonable prices, but our Dublin Season Tickets offer particularly outstanding value for money. For our Spring 2019 Season holders of a season ticket can see all the above concerts in Dublin city centre from just €65, and connoisseurs of classical music can enjoy both chamber ensembles from €25. Online booking fees apply.

Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Siobhan Miller, Damien Mullane & Anna Massie (Ireland/Scotland)
On Tour 16th – 26th January 2019

Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, voice/flute
Siobhan Miller, voice
Damien Mullane, accordion/melodeon
Anna Massie, guitar/banjo/mandolin

“One of the earthiest and most distinctive voices, not just in traditional circles, but anywhere” – The Irish Times [on Nic Amhlaoibh]
“One of the best Scottish traditional singers on the planet” - Folk Roots [on Miller]
“A subtlety of approach to his art that leaves you in awe of the simplistic beauty of it all” – Irish Music Magazine [on Mullane]
“Anna Massie’s deft banjo and guitar compelling at the heart” - MOJO

Kickstart the year with a vocal match made in heaven, featuring the ethereal voice of award-winning Scottish songstress Siobhan Miller and the honeyed tones of Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, recent winner of RTÉ Folk Awards ‘Best Traditional Folk Track of the Year’.
Winner of the 2018 BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Traditional Track, Miller was recently lauded as “the finest young interpreter of Scots traditional song”, while highly-acclaimed singer and flautist Nic Amhlaoibh is best known for her performances as a solo artist and with Irish super group Danú, and her work as a TV presenter.
Gifted accordionist Damien Mullane brings his unique creative talents to the collaboration. Winner of numerous All-Ireland titles on both accordion and melodeon, Mullane has collaborated with stars from a wide range of genres including Ronnie Wood, James Taylor and Sting. Completing the line-up, fleet-fingered guitarist and banjo player Anna Massie is renowned for her work with Blazin’ Fiddles and such luminaries as Bella Hardy, Julie Fowlis, Kate Rusby, Capercaillie and Eddi Reader.
Expect these players to strike sparks off each other!

On Tour 16th – 26th January 2019

Wednesday 16th January, 8pm, The Sugar Club, Leeson Street, Dublin 2, €20 / €15 / €10, 01-4750224 / musicnetwork.ie, promoted by Music Network

Thursday 17th January, 8.30pm, The Dock, Carrick-On-Shannon, €16 / €14, 071-9650828 / thedock.ie

Friday 18th January, 8pm, Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda, €16 / €14, 041-9833946 / droichead.com

Saturday 19th January, 8pm, Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, €15 / €12, 074-9120777 (An Grianán) / regionalculturalcentre.com

Sunday 20th January, 8pm, Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire, €20 / €18 / €10, 01-2312929 / paviliontheatre.ie

Tuesday 22nd January, 8pm, National Opera House, Wexford, €17 / €15, 053-9122144 / nationaloperahouse.ie

Wednesday 23rd January, 8pm, Station House Theatre, Clifden, €15 / €12 (on the door), 095-21699 (info only), promoted by Clifden Arts Society

Thursday 24th January, 8pm, St. John’s Theatre & Arts Centre, Listowel, €15 / €12, 068-22566

Friday 25th January, 8.30pm, Ionad Cultúrtha, Baile Mhúirne, €20 / €15, 026-45733

Saturday 26th January, 8pm, Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, €18 / €16 / €10 (under 13), 057-9122199 / birrtheatre.com

Inspiring Bach (Ireland/France)
On Tour 16th – 22nd February 2019

Claire Duff, baroque violin
Benjamin Alard, harpsichord

“All the excitement of a high-wire act” – The Irish Times [on Duff]
“Alard’s playing is a delight with striking agogic expressive power” – Gramophone
“Stylish solo violin playing” - Gramophone [on Duff]
“He brings both decorum and brilliance to the Italian Variations” – BBC Music Magazine [on Alard]

Irish violinist Claire Duff’s playing has been described as “full of fire, flair and brilliance”. For this tour, she is joined for the very first time by the dazzling young French harpsichordist Benjamin Alard, diving deep into Bach’s powerful musical meditations on suffering, loss – and redemption. There’s never been a better time to rediscover the aching beauty of the ultimate composer.
Both are renowned for their performances of baroque repertoire, in particular Bach. Duff is leader of the Irish Baroque Orchestra and performs throughout Europe as a soloist and ensemble player. She has led Florilegium, I Fagiolini, English Touring Opera and The Kings Consort, and co-led the Academy of Ancient Music and The English Concert.
As a recitalist on both harpsichord and organ, Benjamin Alard has performed in festivals and venues around the world. A member of baroque orchestra La Petite Bande, he also performs chamber music with violinist François Fernandez and in a harpsichord duo with Élisabeth Joyé. Organist at Saint-Louis-en-l’Île in Paris, he oversees an annual series of keyboard concerts dedicated to the music of J.S. Bach.
Audiences will hear a new work by Irish composer Jane O’Leary, commissioned by Music Network, which offers a contemporary reflection on the resonances of Bach.

Programme:

Archangelo Corelli (1653-1713), Sonata No. 5 in G Minor
J.S. Bach (1685-1750), Adagio in G Major, BWV 968
J.S. Bach (1685-1750), Fugue in B Minor, BWV 579 on a theme by Corelli
J.S. Bach (1685-1750), Sonata for violin and basso continuo in G Major, BWV 1021
J.S. Bach (1685-1750), Sonata No. 4 in C Minor for violin and harpsichord, BWV 1017
J.S. Bach (1685-1750), “Italian concerto”, BWV 971
Jane O’Leary (b. 1946), New Music Network Commission
J.S. Bach (1685-1750), Sonata No. 6 in G Major for violin and harpsichord, BWV 1019

On Tour 16th – 22nd February 2019
Saturday 16th February, 8pm, St. Finian’s Church, Dublin 2, €20 / €15 / €10, 01-4750224 / musicnetwork.ie, promoted by Music Network

Sunday 17th February, 8pm, Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, €18 / €16 / €10 (under 13), 057-9122911 / birrtheatre.com

Tuesday 19th February, 8pm, Station House Theatre, Clifden, €15 / €12 (on the door), 095-21699 (info only), promoted by Clifden Arts Society

Wednesday 20th February, 8pm, Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire, €20 / €18 / €10, 01-2312929 / paviliontheatre.ie

Thursday 21st February, 7.30pm, The Large Room, City Hall, Waterford, €17 / €15 (conc.) / €5 (students) on the door, promoted by Waterford Music

Friday 22nd February, 8pm, St. John’s Theatre & Arts Centre, Listowel, €15 / €12, 068-22566
Rhiannon Giddens & Francesco Turrisi (USA/Italy)
On Tour 5th – 16th March 2019

Rhiannon Giddens, voice/fiddle/banjo
Francesco Turrisi, percussion/accordion

“Her voice is a perpetually soulful marvel” – New York Times [on Giddens]
“Delicate, wistful, engrossing” – The Irish Times [on Turrisi]
“Her songs are wise and deeply-felt, her singing powerful and refined” – Rolling Stone [on Giddens]

Fasten your seatbelts as Grammy Award-winning songstress and multi-instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens and Italian jazz maestro Francesco Turrisi take you on a musical voyage of discovery from Africa and the Middle East across to Europe and the Americas. The duo discovered a shared creative ground after their paths crossed a few years back, spanning gospel, jazz, blues, country and folk, and this is their first nationwide tour of Ireland.
Giddens’ debut album was described by the Guardian as a “solo debut of phenomenal vocal power, effortlessly jumping between gospel holler, tender folk song, and lachrymose country ballad”. Her star continues to rise with US TV performances on The Late Show and The Tonight Show, and the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Bluegrass and Banjo.
The powerhouse singer’s versatility is matched by accordion and piano player Francesco Turrisi. Dubbed the “musical alchemist”, his lyrical, culture-bridging collaborations include early music, Balkan jazz and contemporary ensembles as well as performing with such luminaries as Bobby McFerrin, Dave Liebman, Wolfgang Muthspiel, The King’s Singers and flamenco master Pepe el Habichuela.

On Tour 5th – 16th March 2019
Tuesday 5th March, 8pm, The Sugar Club, Dublin 2, €20 / €15 / €10, 01-4750224 / musicnetwork.ie, promoted by Music Network

Wednesday 6th March, 8pm, Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire, €20 / €18 / €10, 01-2312929 / paviliontheatre.ie

Thursday 7th March, 8pm, National Opera House (Jerome Hynes Theatre), Wexford, €17 / €15, 053-9122144 / nationaloperahouse.ie

Friday 8th March, 8.30pm, Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely, €18 / €16, 0402-38529 / courthousearts.ie

Saturday 9th March, 8pm, Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick, €20 / €18, 061-953400 / limetreetheatre.ie

Sunday 10th March, 3pm, Siamsa Tíre, Tralee, €16 / €14, 066-7123055 / siamsatire.com

Tuesday 12th March, 8pm, Station House Theatre, Clifden, €15 / €12 (on the door), 095-21699 (info only), promoted by Clifden Arts Society

Wednesday 13th March, 8pm, glór, Ennis, €16 / €14, 065-6843103 / glor.ie

Thursday 14th March, 8pm, Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, €15 / €12 (conc.), 074-9120777 (An Grianán) / regionalculturalcentre.com

Friday 15th March, 8pm, The Black Box, Belfast, £16 / £12, movingonmusic.com, promoted by Moving on Music

Saturday 16th March, 8pm, Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, €15 / €12, 045-448327 / riverbank.ie

Raphaela Gromes and Julian Riem (Germany)

On Tour 3rd – 11th April 2019

Raphaela Gromes, cello
Julian Riem, piano

“A truly exciting and brilliant delivery” – The Strad [Gromes/Riem CD review]
“Gromes combines sincere expression and needlepoint brilliance” – Gramophone
“I was so impressed listening to the Gromes Riem Duo performing the Debussy Sonata” – Yo-Yo Ma
“Stylish piano playing” – Gramophone [on Riem]

We are very pleased to share details of a superb duo joining our already amazing 2019 concert line-up. Raphaela Gromes is an exceptional young cellist who has quickly garnered a slew of rave reviews for the incredible intimacy of her playing, her musical imagination, and thrilling virtuosity. Add to this her symbiotic duets with partner Julian Riem and you’re set for a truly inspiring evening.
Winner of many international prizes, Gromes has performed extensively throughout Europe in prestigious venues like the Tonhalle Zurich, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Konzerthaus Berlin and Konzerthaus Wien, and several composers have already dedicated cello concertos to her, including Valentin Bachmann and Mario Bürki.
A renowned soloist and award-winning pianist, Julian Riem has appeared with many of Europe’s leading orchestras. He is a passionate advocate of contemporary music and a sought-after chamber musician: in addition to his work with Raphaela Gromes, he is a member of the Munich Horn Trio and the Velit Quartet.
On this tour the duo will perform a new piece by Kevin Volans commissioned by Music Network.

Programme:
Ferruccio Busoni (1866-1924), Serenata for cello and piano in G minor, Op. 34, BV196
Giuseppe Martucci (1856-1909), Sonata for cello and piano in F-sharp minor, Op. 52
Kevin Volans (b. 1949), “cello:piano 2” in C Major (New Music Network Commission)
Gioachino Rossini (1792–1868), Une Larme, Theme and Variations for cello and piano
Gioachino Rossini (1792–1868), 3 songs from “Soirées musicales” (5. L’invito, 7. La gita in gondola, 8. La danza)
Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880), Hommage à Rossini
Bohuslav Martinu (1890-1959), Variations on a theme of Rossini in D Major, H.290

On Tour 3rd – 11th April 2019
Wednesday 3rd April, 8pm, St. Finian’s Church, Dublin 2, €20 / €15 / €10, 01-4750224 / musicnetwork.ie, promoted by Music Network

Thursday 4th April, 7.30pm, Curtis Auditorium, Cork School of Music, €20 / €15 / €10 / €5 (on the door), Corkorchestralsociety.ie, promoted by Cork Orchestral Society

Saturday 6th April, 8pm, Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, €15 / €12, 074-9120777 (An Grianán) / regionalculturalcentre.com

Sunday 7th April, 8pm, Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire, €20 / €18 / €10, 01-2312929 / paviliontheatre.ie

Monday 8th April, 8pm, Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, €17 / €14, 094-9023733 / thelinenhall.com

Wednesday 10th April, 7.30pm, The Large Room, City Hall, Waterford, €17 / €15 (conc.) / €5 (students) on the door, promoted by Waterford Music

Thursday 11th April, 8pm, National Opera House, Wexford, €17 / €15, 053-9122144 / nationaloperahouse.ie

De Temps Antan (Canada)

On Tour 1st – 10th May 2019

Éric Beaudry, voice, guitar, mandolin, bouzouki
David Boulanger, voice, fiddle
Pierre-Luc Dupuis, voice, accordion, harmonica, jaw’s harp

“World-class performers” – The Guardian
“De Temps Antan combine the best of new and old Quebec, highly recommended” - Folkworld
“They have enough power to drive a nuclear furnace.” – Folkwords
“With their pedigree, you’d expect something a bit special from De Temps Antan - and they certainly deliver.” – The Living Tradition

The incredible French-Canadian folk super group De Temps Antan have captured the hearts of audiences across the globe with their stunning interpretations of time-honoured melodies from Quebec’s musical past. Driven by the stomping “tac-tic-a-tac” of “les pieds” (a type of clog), their rough-hewn sound is an utterly infectious mix of boundless energy and joie de vivre.
The group’s live shows are dosed with catchy honkytonk tunes, uncontrolled laughter, and sudden, impromptu shifts in rhythm and harmony – so expect the unexpected! Three powerful vocals combine to create joyous harmonies; several of De Temps Antan’s songs also feature close-up call-and-response vocals that date back to the work songs of Quebec’s lumber camps.
And did we mention the delightful fiddle of David Boulanger, the explosive accordion playing of Pierre-Luc Dupuis and the superb guitar accompaniment of Éric Beaudry?
The music may be acoustic, but the results are electric!

On Tour 1st – 10th May 2019
Wednesday 1st May, 8pm, The Sugar Club, Leeson Street, Dublin 2, €20 / €15 / €10, 01-4750224 / musicnetwork.ie, promoted by Music Network

Thursday 2nd May, 8.30pm, The Dock, Carrick-On-Shannon, €16 / €14, 071-9650828 / thedock.ie

Friday 3rd May, 8pm, Station House Theatre, Clifden, €15 / €12 (on the door), 095-21699 (info only), promoted by Clifden Arts Society

Saturday 4th May, 8pm, Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, €15 / €12, 045-448327 / riverbank.ie

Sunday 5th May, 7pm, St. James’ Church, Dingle, €15, 087-3467632 / feilenabealtaine.ie, promoted by Féile na Bealtaine

Tuesday 7th May, 8pm, National Opera House, Wexford, €17 / €15, 053-9122144 / nationaloperahouse.ie

Wednesday 8th May, 8pm, Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, €17 / €14, 094-9023733 / thelinenhall.com

Thursday 9th May, 8pm, Triskel Christchurch, Cork, €15 / €12 (plus €1 booking fee), 021-4272022 / triskelartscentre.ie

Friday 10th May, 9pm, Fiddle Fair Marquee, Baltimore, 086-3753380 / fiddlefair.com, promoted by Fiddle Fair Baltimore
For further information/images please contact:
Louise Walsh, Communications Manager, Music Network: (01) 4750224 or pr@musicnetwork.ie