Lumen - The Music Of Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin: A Celebration of the Light (Dublin/Limerick)
The National Symphony Orchestra, in collaboration with the family of the late Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin and in association with the University of Limerick, proudly pays tribute to Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin with Lumen: A Celebration of the Light in Dublin and Limerick in September.
As Ireland’s premiere music venue, the National Concert Hall is delighted to honour the late Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, widely regarded as one of the most talented academics, pianists and composers of his era, with its 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award. Recognising the significant impact and contribution Mícheál has made on the musical life of Ireland over the course of his career, the Award will be presented to Mícheál’s family on the evening.
The third and final concert in a trilogy devised by Mícheál with the National Symphony Orchestra (Elver Gleams, 2017; Between Worlds, 2018), Lumen will feature some of Mícheál’s most significant and popular orchestral works conducted by David Brophy and performed by a host of leading names including sean-nós singers Iarla Ó Lionáird, Lillis Ó Laoire and Síle Denvir; flute player Mike McGoldrick; saxophonist Kenneth Edge; traditional percussionist Mel Mercier; uilleann piper Mark Redmond; fiddlers Liz Doherty, Zoë Conway, Aidan O’Donnell and Katie Boyle and cellist Neil Martin.
Highlights will include orchestral pieces featuring the singing of Iarla Ó Lionáird (Port na bPúcaí and An Buachaill Caol Dubh) as well as Templum, the liturgical sonic meditation, and the passionate love song Bean Dubh an Ghleanna, both for soprano sax and orchestra; Termōn, for pipes and orchestra; Francesco Walks for fiddle quartet, pipes, harpsichord and string orchestra; Oileán/Island featuring flute soloist Mike McGoldrick, and Fill Arís, Mícheál’s orchestral sean-nós settings of the poetry of Seán Ó Riordáin which received its world premiere in Mícheál’s last performance with the orchestra in 2018.
Mícheál’s frequent collaborator in music and Chair of Performing Arts at the Irish World Academy, Mel Mercier, will direct an ensemble of UL & UCC students, honouring Mícheál’s lasting legacy at both institutions: The Eklego Ensemble includes Karl Nesbitt on flute, Conor Arkins and Claire Egan on fiddles, Paul Clesham on concertina and Niamh O’Brien on harp.
Performers
National Symphony Orchestra
David Brophy, conductor
Kenneth Edge, soprano sax
Mike McGoldrick, traditional flute
Mark Redmond, uilleann pipes
Liz Doherty Fiddle Quartet (with Aidan O'Donnell, Katie Boyle and Zoë Conway)
Neil Martin, cello
Síle Denvir, Lillis Ó Laoire, Iarla Ó Lionáird, sean nós singers
Eklego Ensemble with Mel Mercier, bodhrán (with Karl Nesbitt, flute; Conor Arkins and Claire Egan, fiddles; Paul Clesham, concertina; Niamh O’Brien, harp)
Programme
Templum for soprano sax and orchestra
Bean Dubh an Ghleanna for soprano sax and orchestra
An Buachaill Caol Dubh for sean-nós singer and orchestra
Eklego: Sources for bodhrán, flute, fiddles, concertina and harp
Oileán/ Island for traditional flute and orchestra
Termōn for pipes and orchestra
Port na bPúcaí for sean-nós singer and orchestra
Francesco Walks for fiddle quartet, pipes, harpsichord and string orchestra
Athdheargú: Rekindling for fiddle and cello
Fill Arís for sean-nós singers, pipes and orchestra
Venues, Dates & Tickets
National Concert Hall Dublin | Friday 2 September 2022, 7.30pm | Booking here
University Concert Hall, Limerick | Saturday 3 September 2022, 7.30pm | Booking here