World premiere of Ian Wilson’s An tIarthar, with the Donegal Chamber Orchestra.

With the help of the Arts Council’s "Artist in the Community Scheme" managed by Create and the Arts Council, Ian Wilson has engaged with the Donegal Chamber Orchestra over a sixth month period to create a new work for this dedicated string orchestra: An tIarthar. The aim of this scheme is to offer ensembles the opportunity to work closely with a professional artist on a regular basis. This award gave the musicians of the Donegal Chamber Orchestra the unique opportunity of working for the first time with a living Irish composer.
Founded in 2006 by Hungarian violinist Orsolya Szabó-Yélamo (Violin resource tutor with Co. Donegal VEC) and Spanish cellist Víctor Yélamo (Artistic Director of the ensemble) – as part of the Co. Donegal VEC Music Education Partnership, the Donegal Chamber Orchestra features 16 classical string players from across the county. The orchestra is dedicated to helping students and amateur musicians achieve the highest level of excellence in performance.  "This project with the DCO was an opportunity for me to work closely with these talented Donegal musicians and create a piece of music for them which reflects their personalities, their playing and their dedication to the DCO; uniquely, it allows them to influence the shape of the music” Ian Wilson.

The world premiere of An tIarthar, will form part of two concerts with the Spanish String Orchestra Concerto Málaga conducted by Italian Massimo Paris, in which the Donegal Chamber Orchestra will guest.

• Saturday 9th of October in the model arts centre, Sligo.
(Tickets: 071 9141405, Concert will be followed by a meet the artists wine reception)
• Sunday the 10th of October at An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny.
(Tickets: 074 9120777). (Pre-concert interview at 7:30pm with the composer)

You can hear more about this project in CMC's interview with Ian Wilson on the  homepage.