Irish Chamber Orchestra leader Katherine Hunka teams up with popular Irish accordion virtuoso Dermot Dunne for a fun programme that includes Mozart’s timeless Eine Kleine Nachtmusic, concerti from baroque master Vivaldi and the sensuous tangos of Piazzolla.

Full programme
Mozart ‘Eine kleine Nachtmusik’ KV 525
Molique Concerto for Accordion and Strings
Piazzolla La Muerte del Ángel, La Resurrección del Ángel, Escualo, Oblivion, Adiós Nonino
Vivaldi Concerti for Strings in F major, RV 141 and D major, RV 121

The Irish Chamber Orchestra are currently undertaking a ground-breaking tour of China but will be back on the road countrywide in July visiting venues including Tuam (14th) , Wexford (16th), Kinsale (17th), Skibereen (18th), Portmagee (19th) and Kilkee (21st)

ICO leader Katherine Hunka directs and performs with renowned Irish accordion player, Dermot Dunne. Now performing regularly as a duo, Dermot and Katherine along with the Irish Chamber Orchestra present an exciting mix of music which ranges from celebrated classics and virtuoso show pieces to a selection of works with a strong Latin flavour.  The programme spans four centuries, blending precious gems from Vivaldi with the magic of Mozart to the wild passions of Piazzolla.

The virtuosic Vivaldi still enjoys a reputation that equals the international fame he enjoyed in his heyday.  He composed some 46 operas and over 500 concerti and other rarities which impacted hugely on the evolution of the baroque style and we feature two concerti for strings, his F major RV141 and his D major RV121.

There are few pieces of music more instantly familiar and well-loved than Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik.    Mozart’s sunniest and most enduring work quickly earned its place as one of the eighteenth century’s most popular and durable string serenades.  Eine kleine Nachtmusik has featured in no less than sixty film scores including Amadeus, Batman, Sophie’s Choice, Ace Ventura and many more.

As well as being a composer of enduringly popular tango-inspired music, Astor Piazzolla was a virtuosic performer on the bandoneon. The instrument’s unique positioning of buttons allows a rich variety of harmonies which Piazzolla exploited to the full. None of this extraordinary richness is lost when the music is transferred onto the classical accordion, as splendidly demonstrated by Dermot Dunne.  Piazzolla created compositions to showcase his star musicians and Escualo was written for Fernando Suarez-Paz a renowned tango violinist who performed in his band. La Muerte del Angel and La Resurreccion del Angel were composed for a film on the life of the Argentine writer, Jorge Luis Borges.  The ballad Oblivion was written for Marco Bellocchio’s film Enrico IV and was short-listed for a 1995 Grammy Award.  Finally, Adios Nonino, inspired by the death of Piazzolla’s father, became a classic and one his most popular works and features in this selection of sexy, tango-inspired compositions which have brought a welcome dash of colour to concert platforms around the world.

Dermot also performs a rare Accordion Concerto by Molique.

Don’t miss another showcase performance by the Irish Chamber Orchestra at a venue near you.  See www.irishchamberorchestra.com