The Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra’s Celtic program marries elements of Irish traditional folk music with the Philharmonic Orchestra in both new arrangements of famous Irish airs and new compositions by Irish composers. Celtic mystical and folklore traditional musical elements are interwoven with symphonic orchestral color and structures, some featuring Irish instrumental soloists performing on the traditional Irish instruments of tin whistle/flute (Emer Mayock), fiddle (Frankie Gavin/Athena Tergis), Uilleann Pipes (Emer Mayock), banjo (Gerry O’Connor), bodhrán (Robert Harris), and voice (Regina Nathan). Featured composers are Antonio Cafallo, Jonathan Casey, Athena Tergis, Derek Dolan, Michael Fleming, Vincent Kennedy, Andreja Malir, Gloria Mulhall, Kevin Nolan, Anna Rice, Peader Townsend, Ken Tuohy, and J.J. Vernon. The program also includes: Inishlacken by Bill Whelan (composer of Riverdance), a double violin concerto for classical violin (Cora Venus Lunny) and traditional Irish fiddle (Frankie Gavin/Athena Tergis); a short suite by Patrick Cassidy based on the Battle of Aughrim, featuring Uilleann Pipes; and the Aria (Regina Nathan) from Cassidy’s cantata Deirdre of the Sorrows, based on the ancient Celtic legend of the same name.

The Februry 12th program:

The Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra

Derek Gleeson, Music Director

AND

Ireland’s Leading Pop Stars

Traditional Violin:  Frankie Gavin/Athena Tergis

Classical Violin:  Cora Venus Lunny

Uilleann Pipes and Irish Flute:  Emer Mayock

Traditional Violin and Banjo:  Gerry O’Connor

Bodhrán/Percussion:  Robert Harris

Soprano:  Regina Nathan

Program

1.           In Spirit: Overture –  Jonathan Casey featuring Uilleann Pipe soloist: Emer Mayock

2.           Aughrim Suite – Patrick Cassidy featuring Uilleann Pipe soloist:  Emer Mayock

3.           Deirdre of the Sorrows Aria from Oratorio – Patrick Cassidy Soprano soloist:  Regina Nathan

4.           Inishlacken – Concerto for two violins and orchestra (based on traditional Irish idiom), by Bill Whelan (composer of Riverdance): three movements Violin soloists:  Cora Venus Lunny and Frankie Gavin/Athena Tergis

Total duration first half program:  50 minutes approximately

 Intermission

Gala Celebration of Celtic Music

Original orchestral arrangements by Irish composers:  Jonathan Casey, Antonio Cafallo, J.J. Vernon, Peader Townsend, Andreja Malir, Michael Fleming, Vincent Kennedy, Kevin Nolan, Frankie Gavin/Athena Tergis, Ken Tuohy, Anna Rice, Derek Dolan, and Gloria Mulhall.