GMR present Lunchtime with ConTempo featuring a work by Deirdre McKay

Galway Music Residency’s Lunchtimes with ConTempo series continues this October with an exquisite programme of contemporary and Romantic music. The performance takes place on Tuesday 4 October at 1:10pm at St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church.

ConTempo Quartet will perform two contrasting pieces in these stunning surroundings. Irish composer Deirdre McKay’s mr shah stares to the heavens, was inspired by a period of contemplation on ‘the vast quietude of space’ and commissioned in 2012 especially for ConTempo. It includes annotations for the musicians such as “featherlight… like throwing a butterfly in the air” giving a hint at what to expect. This contemporary work is paired with Schumann’s String Quartet No. 3 in A major, of which the composer said “I have spared no pains to produce something really respectable—indeed, I sometimes think my best."

ConTempo Quartet is the resident ensemble of Galway Music Residency and was RTE’s Resident Quartet from 2014 until 2019. Praised as a “fabulous foursome” (Irish Independent) and noted for performances which are “exceptional” (The Strad) and “full of imaginative daring” (The Irish Times), ConTempo Quartet has forged a unique place in Irish musical life.

Programme

Deirdre McKay - mr shah stares to the heavens

Schumann -  String Quartet No. 3 in A major

Tickets

Tickets are free, however booking is recommended via Eventbrite.