The Irish Seasons: Ailbhe McDonagh / Antonio Vivaldi Lynda O'Connor

• Antonio Vivaldi (1678 - 1741): The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in E Major, Op. 8 No. 1, RV 269 "Spring":
• 1 Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in E Major, Op. 8 No. 1, RV 269 "Spring": I. Allegro 03:26
• 2 Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in E Major, Op. 8 No. 1, RV 269 "Spring": II. Largo 02:50
• 3 Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in E Major, Op. 8 No. 1, RV 269 "Spring": III. Allegro 04:17
• The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in G Minor, Op. 8 No. 2, RV 315 "Summer":
• 4 Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in G Minor, Op. 8 No. 2, RV 315 "Summer": I. Allegro non molto - Allegro 05:44
• 5 Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in G Minor, Op. 8 No. 2, RV 315 "Summer": II. Adagio - Presto 02:30
• 6 Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in G Minor, Op. 8 No. 2, RV 315 "Summer": III. Presto 02:48
• The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in F Major, Op. 8 No. 3, RV 293 "Autumn":
• 7 Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in F Major, Op. 8 No. 3, RV 293 "Autumn": I. Allegro - Larghetto - Allegro assai/molto 05:12
• 8 Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in F Major, Op. 8 No. 3, RV 293 "Autumn": II. Adagio molto 02:31
• 9 Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in F Major, Op. 8 No. 3, RV 293 "Autumn": III. Allegro 03:06
• The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in F Minor, Op. 8 No. 4, RV 297 "Winter":
• 10 Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in F Minor, Op. 8 No. 4, RV 297 "Winter": I. Allegro non molto 03:30
• 11 Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in F Minor, Op. 8 No. 4, RV 297 "Winter": II. Largo 02:05
• 12 Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in F Minor, Op. 8 No. 4, RV 297 "Winter": III. Allegro - Lento - Allegro 03:29
• The Irish Four Seasons:
• 13 Vivaldi: The Irish Four Seasons: I. Earrach (spring) 06:02
• 14 Vivaldi: The Irish Four Seasons: II. Samhradh (summer) 05:26
• 15 Vivaldi: The Irish Four Seasons: III. Fómhar (autumn) 04:14
• 16 Vivaldi: The Irish Four Seasons: IV. Geimhreadh (winter) 05:55
• Total Runtime 01:03:05

Info for The Irish Seasons: Ailbhe McDonagh / Antonio Vivaldi

As responses to Vivaldi's The Four Seasons go, the world-premiere of The Irish Four Seasons by Ailbhe McDonagh instantly ranks amongst the most evocative and ear-catching. Presented alongside the "Red Priest's" monumental opus, in the debut recording by leading Irish violinist Lynda O'Connor, McDonagh's The Irish Four Seasons resonates with a shrewd synthesis of Baroque style and Irish culture.

O'Connor explains, "Irish and Baroque music are similar in many ways. The freedom to ornament, similarities in structure and the prominence of reinterpretation are apparent in both styles". O'Connor and McDonagh are frequently referred to as musical soulmates. In their most recent collaboration, they bring to bear Ireland's huge musical heritage.

Arranged over four movements - Earrach (Spring), Samhradh (Summer), Fomhar (Autumn), and Geimhreadh (Winter) -The Irish Four Seasons introduces new Irish airs inspired by Vivaldi's memorable melodies, creating an exciting and emotive work that proudly takes its place alongside the Baroque evergreen. Supported by her new, hand-picked ensemble Anamus under the baton of David Brophy, O'Connor brings these programmatic works - old and new alike - to palpable life.

"The most impressive moments of these two performances were provided by the long-breathed phrasing of Lynda O' Connor" (Michael Dervan, The Irish Times)

Lynda O’Connor, violin
Anamus
David Brophy, conductor

Lynda O’ Connor
is one of the greatest Irish violinists of her generation. Showing particularly early promise she made her debut solo performance at the age of four in the National Concert Hall, Dublin which began her international career as soloist, chamber musician and orchestral leader.

Lynda’s soloist career has included many memorable performances including Mozart Sinfonie Concertante with Nobuko Imai and Bach Double Violin Concerto with Chee Yun Kim alongside Camerata Ireland and a performance with Giles Apape and the International Mahler Orchestra at a Menuhin Tribute concert in Frankfurt. Lynda has also toured France performing Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. Other performances include Tchaikovsky, Saint-Saens, Beethoven, Bruch Bach and Mozart Violin Concertos with ensembles across Ireland, UK and the USA.

As a chamber musician, Lynda has collaborated with a dazzling array of artists including Barry Douglas, John O Connor, Michael Mchale, Finghin Collins, Alessio Bax, Celine Byrne, Fionualla Hunt and members of the Vanbrugh string quartet. Lynda made her debut USA broadcast in Boston with Barry Douglas. Lynda is a full time/founding member of several chamber ensembles including Ficino chamber ensemble, a large chamber group established by viola player Nathan Sherman, Trio Elatha, a classical/traditional crossover group with guitarist Brendan Walsh and cellist Ailbhe McDonagh, and a duo with pianist Alexander Bernstein. With these groups Lynda has enjoyed performances across USA, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Germany, UK and Ireland.

O’ Connor is in demand as an orchestral leader and performer, both at home and abroad, working with the International Mahler Orchestra, Irish Chamber Orchestra, Camerata Ireland, The RTE Concert Orchestra, The Wexford Opera Orchestra, The National Orchestra of Ireland, The Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra, The Blackwater Valley Festival orchestra, Plano Symphony Orchestra, Aalborg Symphony Orchestra among others. She has toured internationally with these orchestras including performances in Carnegie Hall, Cadogan Hall as part of the BBC Proms, China, Mexico, Washington as part of the Smithsonian Festival, Theatre des Champs-Elysees in Paris as resident artists with Camerata Ireland, St Petersburg, Moscow, Belgium, Germany, Warsaw as part of the International Beethoven festival, Spain, Shanghai, Beijing and Finland as part of the Naantali International Festival. Lynda appeared as guest leader with the Irish Chamber Orchestra at the Kilkenny Arts festival and has been appointed as one of two Concertmaster’s at the Wexford Festival Opera Orchestra.

Lynda has a keen interest in education and has been a member of the string’s faculty at the Royal Irish Academy of Music since 2016. She also is an active Suzuki violin teacher with a private practice at her home in Wexford.

In May 2024 Lynda will make her debut as a Naxos recording artist with the release of the album Folk Tales 2 alongside cellist Gerald Peregrine and pianist Antony Ingham. On August 2nd of this year Lynda’s debut solo album “The Irish Seasons” will be released by AVIERecords with a recording of Vivaldi Four Seasons and a new commission by Irish Composer Ailbhe McDonagh The Irish Four Seasons, produced by multi Grammy award winner Judith Sherman. Lynda will perform the world premiere of this piece with the ensemble Anamus at the Ballaghaderreen Arts Festival in August of this year. Lynda performs on a Gand and Bernardel violin form 1891.

Booklet for The Irish Seasons: Ailbhe McDonagh / Antonio Vivaldi