Co-Artistic Directors Cathal Breslin (Derry) and Sabrina Hu (USA) have once again curated a fantastic feast of music welcoming guest artists Finghin Collins (piano), Kristīne Balanas (violin), Gerard McChrystal (saxophone), The Creviston Duo (saxophone/piano) and the Hellas Ensemble from Derry.
Gala concerts will take place in the stunning setting of the Great Hall at Ulster University Magee and audiences will be treated to varied programmes of classical music from across the ages and right up to the present day.
On Thursday 13 March, Finghin Collins and Cathal Breslin will present Mozart, Rachmaninov and Milhaud for two pianos, along with a very special performance of a selection of movements from Gustav Holst’s much-loved The Planets.
Friday 14 March will see a dazzling display from two of the world’s top saxophone artists, Gerard McChrystal (Derry) and Christopher Creviston (USA), alongside pianist Hannah Creviston and WCMF Co-Artistic Director Sabrina Hu (flute).
The ensemble will perform a brilliant programme of music from the Americas to Europe, including music by Jean-Baptiste Singelée, Charles Koechlin, Andy Scott, and Irish composers Linda Buckley and Michael McGlynn.
On Saturday 15 March, Latvian street musician and rock singer turned virtuoso violinist, Kristīne Balanas, will delight with a passionate and elegant performance of Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and Ravel on her 1694 ‘Rutson’ Stradivarius violin alongside Co-Artistic Director Cathal Breslin (piano).
Closing the Festival on Sunday 16 March, audiences can experience the beauty of music and poetry intertwined in a captivating lunchtime performance inspired by Seamus Heaney’s Sonnets from Hellas.
The Hellas Ensemble, founded by Greek and Irish bouzouki players and composers Nikos Petsakos and Martin Coyle, celebrate Heaney’s love of Greece and its profound influence on his work, with narration from Derry-born TV and theatre actor, Ruairi Conaghan.
For tickets and information visit walledcitymusic.com
