Concert by Pianist John O'Conor & Cellist Ailbhe McDonagh with special guests.

The Irish pianist John O'Conor has been gathering wonderful reviews for his masterly playing for over forty years. Having studied in his native Dublin, in Vienna with Dieter Weber and being tutored by the legendary Wilhelm Kempff his unanimous 1st 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.

His recordings of the complete Beethoven Piano Sonatas led CD Review to say that he "by now should be recognised as the world's premier Beethoven interpreter" and his recent recordings of the complete Beethoven Piano Concertos with the London Symphony Orchestra and Andreas Delfs have also been greeted with acclaim. In the past two years he has released three new CDs on the Steinway label, one of Beethoven's Diabelli Variations and two of Haydn Sonatas. He has also been featured on tonebase.com with videos on teaching and discussing Beethoven and Haydn Sonatas. Last summer he recorded a CD of the complete Beethoven Cello Sonatas with the Irish cellist Ailbhe McDonagh.

"A pianist of unbounding sensitivity" (Gramophone) ;

"He represents a vanishing tradition that favors inner expression and atmosphere over showmanship and bravura" (Chicago Tribune) ; 

"Impeccable technique and musicality... it would be hard to imagine better performances" (Sunday Times - London) ; 

"This artist has the kind of flawless touch that makes an audience gasp" (Washington Post);

"Exquisite playing" (New York Times).

Irish cellist Ailbhe McDonagh is an international soloist, chamber musician and composer who performs throughout Europe, Asia and the USA.
She is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York and the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin. McDonagh gave her debut recital with celebrated Irish pianist John O’Conor at the National Concert Hall in Dublin, Ireland.

'Out of several performances of the Beethoven A major sonata heard over 30 years, McDonagh’s was the most musically complete and satisfying' (The Irish Times).

As a chamber musician, she performs with ‘The McDonagh Sisters’ with pianist Orla McDonagh. She is also a member of the Ficino Ensemble and the crossover traditional Irish music group, Trio Elatha where she plays traditional Irish music on the cello.
McDonagh is also an established composer with numerous compositions and commissions to her name.

We are delighted to invite John and Ailbhe (and our other special guests on the night) to the magnificent St Nathy's Cathedral in Ballaghaderreen, to perform for us.

General Admission Tickets to this event are €25+BF. Door tickets (If any remain) will be €30