WIN!! Christmas Crackers Giveaway!

Thanks to everyone who entered our Christmas Crackers Twitter Giveaway. All winner have now been contacted! More special offers coming soon!

As the season of giving is almost upon us, we are getting into the spirit of things a little early with thanks to Kevin Hough Productions! The first 20 people to email us HERE will win a free pair of tickets to Christmas Crackers on Wednesday 2 December at 8pm. Join Ellen McElroy, Damian Smith, Special Guests Arklow Shipping Silver Band, and presenter Kevin Hough for an evening of Christmas popular Songs, Carols and Poetry, Featuring all your Seasonal Favourites,
HOW TO ENTER: Simply reply with your NAME and contact telephone number to info@nch.ie making sure to use TWITTER OFFER in the subject line. The first three received will also win a limited edition National Concert Hall Mouse! Good Luck!

Come to The Cabaret! Artist Profile: Ute Lemper

Few artists can enthral an audience like the renowned vocalist and actress Ute Lemper. Her career is vast and varied. She has made her mark on the stage, in films, in concert and as a unique recording artist and interpreter of sultry Berlin cabaret, French Chanson and the works of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill.


Ute was born in Münster, Germany in 1963. After graduation from the Dance Academy in Cologne and the Max Reinhardt Seminary Drama School in Vienna, she started performing in Stuttgart with roles in plays by Fassbinder and others. She went on to dazzle audiences in Europe and worldwide in musical theatre roles - Velma Kelly in Chicago (London, New York, Las Vegas), Lola in The Blue Angel, Peter in Peter Pan (both in Berlin), Cats in Vienna and Sally Bowles in Jérôme Savary's Paris production of Cabaret. Yet she returned again and again to the dark, complex and powerfully creative German past, in solo concerts like Kurt Weill Recital and Berlin Cabaret Evening; in symphony concerts, including The Seven Deadly Sins and Songs from Kurt Weill; in Pina Bausch's Kurt Weill Revue; and on the discs Ute Lemper Sings Kurt Weill (Vols. I & II), The Threepenny Opera, The Seven Deadly Sins, Mahagonny Songspiel, and Berlin Cabaret Songs (comprising works of songwriters censored or persecuted by the National Socialists).

Ute's edgy aesthetic and repertoire also reach far beyond Germany. Though she says, "I cannot stress enough my life's journey exploring repertoire inspired by art of the Weimar Republic," she points out that this art also "reflects other philosophical and cultural horizons, other political matters, and other times." In order fully to explore and comprehend the history she inherited, Ute has naturally and with brilliant success taken up material from other European traditions and from the United States. Ute has explored the French chanson from Edith Piaf, Jacques Prévert, Joseph Kosma and Serge Gainsbourg to the Belgian poet Jacques Brel. She also explored the contemporary alternative rock repertoire – from Tom Waits, Elvis Costello to Nick Cave on her Punishing Kiss album – and finally created her own original material which can be heard on the latest album But One Day...

Ute has just recorded and co produced, with Todd Turkisher, a complete album with her own original songs. She wrote music and lyrics and together with her band, arranged a unique song cycle of unusual stories about places, cities, lives and love.

Following a remarkable début with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in 2007, hailed by the Irish Independent as 'brilliant, stunning and totally captivating', she returns on Tuesday, December 1 to command and mesmerise with her elegant, eloquent, inimitable style.

Signature Series: Ute Lemper with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Tuesday, December 1. Show 8pm. Tickets from €25.
Click HERE for booking info.

Quick Guide to Composers: George Enescu (1881-1955)

A Life Less Ordinary

• George Enescu - a prodigious musician since his early childhood is renowned for his violin virtuoso performances as well as his well-known Romanian Rhapsodies.
• Enescu was born in Liveni, northern Romania. He entered the Vienna Conservatoire at seven, to study the violin, graduated when he was 13. It is there where he first met Brahms, whose influence is evident in Enescu's early works.
• In 1923 he made his debut as conductor with the Philadelphia Orchestra in New York. He appeared as a conductor with many American orchestras, and in 1936 it is believed that he was one of the candidates considered to replace Toscanini as permanent conductor of the New York Philharmonic.
• In 1935, he conducted the Orchestre Symphonique de Paris and Yehudi Menuhin (who had been his pupil for several years starting in 1927) in Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major. He also conducted the New York Philharmonic between 1937 and 1938.
• He lived in Paris and in Romania, but after World War II and the Soviet occupation of Romania, he remained in Paris.
• His generosity and conviviality were legendary. Between the two World Wars, George Enescu seemed to be at the height of his powers, conducting the New York Philharmonic and numbering among his pupils Yehudi Menuhin. But his long exile from Romania following the communist take-over took its toll on him, practically and psychologically, and he died in poverty in Paris in May 1955.

Remus Azoitei and Eduard Stan’s Internationally acclaimed recordings of George Enescu's complete works for violin/piano on 2CDs (2007/8) have inspired an international tour of cultural capitals, bringing the work of this brilliant Romanian composer and musician to a live, world-wide audience.



Catch them on their only Dublin show tonight in the intimate setting of The John Field Room for what promises to be a very special concert. Show 8pm. Tickets: €18. Click HERE for more information.

(Sources: www.enescusociety.org  www.festivalenescu.ro  )

Flicka Bids Us Farewell!

Just two days to go until beloved Opera Star Frederica Von Stade performs the Irish leg of her Farewell Recital Tour at The National Concert Hall with an evening of beautiful French Melodies, German Lieder and more. Frederica von Stade has enriched the world of classical music for three decades with her appearances in opera, concert, and recital. The mezzo-soprano is well known to audiences around the world through her numerous featured appearances on television including several PBS specials and "Live from Lincoln Center" telecasts. She has made over sixty recordings with every major label, including complete operas, aria albums, symphonic works, solo recital programs, and popular crossover albums and is a six-time Grammy nominee. Dont miss this opportunity to see one of the most beloved musical figures of our time.

Frederica von Stade- Thursday 12th November 2009, 8pm. Tickets from €30. Limited Tickets available. Click HERE for more information.

Licence To Thrill - The Music of 007

Tuxedos, martinis and billionaire villains are all core elements of any James Bond Film, but nothing communicates the essence of the film’s content, plot twists and the suave agent himself, quite like the best Bond Themes.

For decades, top contemporary singers and songwriters have been commissioned to put their stamp on the James Bond Franchise, from songs by John Barry, Tim Rice and Paul McCartney to the powerhouse performances of Carly Simon, Shirley Bassey and even A-Ha!
Making a welcome return to The National Concert Hall on Sunday, 8th November, Ellen McElroy and Eoin Cannon will perform the most infectious Bond themes recorded. Featuring such hits as "Nobody Does It Better", Man with The Golden Gun", "Thunderball", "Diamonds Are Forever", "Goldfinger", "Live and Let Die and of course the powerful "Bond Theme".
Starring Ellen Mc Elroy, Eoin Cannon with the 007 Big Band and presented by Kevin Hough
Tickets from €25/8pm Show. Click HERE for booking information.

LEIPZIG GEWANDHAUS ORCHESTRA REVIEW

06/09/2009
Reviewed by Pat O’Kelly

The National Concert Hall opens its new season with a visit by one of Europe’s oldest orchestras – the Leipzig Gewandhaus. Tracing its ancestry back to 1743, the ensemble’s worldwide reputation is certainly justified.

Under its Italian music director Riccardo Chailly, the programme not only honours the 200th anniversary of Mendelssohn’s birth but also his tenure as the orchestra’s principal conductor in the 1830s.

In his ‘Hebrides’ Overture - a stunning seascape reflecting his visit to the Scottish Isles in 1829 - the Gewandhaus strings are at their most seductive expressively floating Mendelssohn’s melodic inventiveness.

Maestro Chailly maybe allows the woodwind over-pointed emphasis but then underlying eddies and turbulent swells in the music create unsettling fascination.

Stricter musical form arrives with Mendelssohn’s First Piano Concerto. Palestinian artist Saleem Abboud Ashkar reveals the delicacy of the composer’s elegant phrasing and makes the central ‘song without words’ Andante particularly lyrical.

The somewhat empty flourishes of the outer movements find the soloist no less attuned to their bravura-fingered fireworks.

The second half of the evening is awash with exotic Russian character. Mussorgsky’s ‘Night on a bare mountain’ has the biting precision of Rimsky-Korsakov’s vivid arrangement while his piano ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’ spring to life in Ravel’s masterly orchestration.

The Gewandhaus players capture every fleeting nuance and every lingering dramatic gesture. Each of the sketches tells its own story be it a lumbering Polish oxcart, the twittering women of Limoges or the cavernous depths of Roman Catacombs.

But, under Chailly’s direction, this is a performance of enormous stature and massive proportion culminating in Kiev’s ‘Great Gate’. Kremlin bells toll majestically and the NCH resounds with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra’s magisterial refulgence.

Tom Humprhies at The National Concert Hall

Read Tom Humphries article on his experience at The National Concert Hall in The Irish Times.

England's First Family of Folk at The National Concert Hall

Having collected three Mercury Music Prize nominations and two MBE's, the Waterson Family are one of Britain's most successful and influential folk bands. Bringing the 2009 ESB Beo Celtic Music Festival to a close on Sunday 29 August, these ambassadors of British Folk music will take over the Main Auditorium in what will be a memorable evening of folk music- past, present and future.

Eliza Carthy is winner of 2 Mercury Prize nominations over a 15 year career during which she has performed and recorded with a diverse array of artists from Paul Weller to The Wainwrights, Nick Cave and Joan Baez. Martin Carthy’s (MBE) settings of traditional songs with guitar have influenced a generation of artists, including Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Billy Bragg and many more. Norma has also been awarded the MBE and was the first folk artist to be nominated for a Mercury Music Prize. The extended Waterson Family concert is a memorable evening with folk music’s most emotive singers and last celebrated a unique concert performance in the Royal Albert Hall in 2007.

Norma Waterson, Martin Carthy and Eliza Carthy were also part of Hal Wilmer’s Rogue’s Gallery, Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs and Chanteys which was on tour last year and joined artists such as Tim Robbins, Suzanne Vega, Beth Orton, Shane McGowan, Neil Hannon, Pete Doherty, Martha Wainwright, Julie Fowlis, Gavin Friday, Teddy Thompson and many more featuring songs from the two disc compilation Pirates of the Caribbean starring Johnny Depp.

Join us for their National Concert Hall debut as part of ESB Beo Celtic Music Festival. Tickets from €20. Main Auditorium, 8pm.

Neil Cowley Trio-Free Digital Download

The magnificent Neil Cowley Trio play The John Field Room, on 14th July, 8pm and exclusive to ticket holders who apply before 10th July, a digital download of their new ‘Revolution’ EP is available absolutely free of charge!
This digital only EP features their version of the Beatles track 'Revolution no.9' recorded for Mojo magazines recent 'White Album Recovered'. Also included on the EP are 3 original and previously unreleased tracks.
On purchasing a ticket from the National Concert Hall box office, you will be given a ticket order number. This can then be used to collect your free ep by emailing this ticket number to office@note.ie This is an exclusive offer for their only Dublin date.
See you there!
Tickets: €20 Euro

Andy Irvine, Hazel O'Connor and Freddie White in Headline Summer Series

Kicking off a series of three one-off gigs in the intimate setting of The John Field Room, founding member of the groundbreaking Planxty, Andy Irvine will perform a one off solo show tomorrow, July 8th at 8pm. Expect Irish traditional songs, dexterous Balkan dance tunes, and a compelling canon of his own material . Tickets: €22.50 (Concessions: €20) Click HERE for more details.

On Thursday, 16th July, 8pm. Hazel O'Connor, accompanied by Cormac & Ruairí De Barra returns to her Celtic, soul folk roots in a captivating and intimate performance. Although her Debut album "Breaking Glass" catapulted her to fame in 1980, Hazel's work has spanned traditional, Rock, Pop, Blues and Soul. Not to be missed! Tickets: €20 (Concessions: €18) Click HERE for information.

Freddie White brings the series to a close on Wednesday 22nd July, 8pm. Expect to hear many of his stunning interpretations and originals in an evening of high quality renditions from a legendary career spanning four decades. Whether interpreting songs by his favourite writers, such as Randy Newman, Tom Waits, John Hiatt and Guy Clark, or performing his own compositions, Freddie’s live performances are nothing short of legendary. Tickets: €20 (Concessions: €18) Click HERE for concert details.

Whats on in July & August?

Click the below image to launch the full July & August digital calendar in a new window.

Zakir Hussain Percussion Masterclass: World-renowned tabla virtuoso

Zakir Hussain is one of the greatest tabla players ever, appreciated beyond the field of percussion as a phenomenon in the world of music at large. A classical tabla virtuoso of the highest order, his consistently brilliant and exciting performances have not only established him as a national treasure in his own country, India, but an international star.

He is holding a percussion masterclass on Thursday 18th June @ 3.30pm at The National Concert Hall and its only €5 ! Come and learn about Zakir’s technique and tradition as he mentors Ireland-based percussionists in this intimate, once-in-a-lifetime event. To book tickets - go here.

Watch a clip of Zakir performing below.

BORIS BEREZOVSKY AT THE NATIONAL CONCERT HALL – 23/05/2009

Reviewed by Pat O’Kelly, Irish Independent

While not exactly keeping the best wine until last, the visit of Russian pianist Boris Berezovsky for the final recital in the National Concert Hall’s own 2008/09 celebrity series certainly means tasting the ‘crème de la crème’.

Here is an artist not only possessing incredible technique, which seems to have come naturally to him, but also enjoying unusual musical insight.

His choice of composers – Rakhmaninov, Chopin, Godowsky and Liszt – recalls legendary figures who were themselves phenomenal pianists and Berezovsky follows the path of these Herculean characters to stand in the upper echelons of today’s virtuosi.

He begins with Rakhmaninov’s First Sonata, itself something of a rarity due to its prodigious difficulty. Berezovsky ensures its melodic line is unerringly clear no matter how dense the surrounding textures.

The calmer central Lento has a constantly swaying undercurrent beneath its elongated lyrical phrases. The piece meanders quixotically but Berezovsky gives it a meaningful sense of purpose.

He makes the massive chordal sequences of the fiendish Finale resound like the bells of the Kremlin. The music is wildly self-indulgent, and even undisciplined, but Berezovsky’s interpretation raises it to Himalayan peaks.

Chopin’s First Scherzo is a shade too fast but a selection of his Studies in their original form and in Leopold Godowsky’s spectacular transformations are simply fantastic. The famous ‘Revolutionary’ Etude in Godowsky’s ‘left hand alone’ version loses some of its éclat but is still dazzling.

Five of Liszt’s Transcendental Studies come in awesome proportions with Berezovsky providing incredible variety through delicate pastel shading and outrageously flamboyant colour.

A musician of enormous stature, Boris Berezovsky is in class of his own.

Ulster Orchestra Special Tickets Offer

We would like to offer you two tickets for the price of one for The Ulster Orchestra on Wednesday 20th May @ 8pm. Featuring pianist Benjamin Grosvenor the programme includes Rachmaninov - Symphonic Dances, Grieg - Piano Concerto and Ravel –Bolero.

Please quote “Ulster Orchestra: Benjamin Grosvenor” or use the following promotional code SDM241 when making a booking online or by telephone through the Box Office Tel (01) 417 0000. Click here to book online: https://tickets.nch.ie/online/

Check out a clip from 2 years ago of Benjamin Grosvenor as a 14 year old:

Watch a selection of clips of our International Concert Season 09/10 performers

Freddy Kempf, piano
Sunday 18th October 2009 @ 8pm
Click here for more information.




Nicola Benedetti, violin performs with Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
27th October 2009 @ 8pm
Click here for more information.




Frederica Von Stade, mezzo soprano
Thursday 12th November 2009 @ 8pm
Click here for more information.




Charles Abramovic, piano
Monday 10th May 2010 @ 8pm
Click here for more information.




Angela Hewitt, violin
Tuesday 18th May 2010 @ 8pm
Click here for more information.




Lang Lang, piano
Tuesday 2nd February 2010 @ 8pm
Click here for more information.




London Symphony Orchestra
Monday 9th November 2009 @ 8pm and Saturday 15th May 2010 @ 8pm
Click here for information on Monday 9th November 2009 concert.
Click here for information on Saturday 15th May 2010 concert.

Marketing The National Concert Hall - cover story article.

Read the cover story article in Marketing, Ireland's Marketing & Media Monthly where Rosita Wolfe, Head of Marketing & Communications speaks about marketing The National Concert Hall and why the redevelopment of Earlsfort Terrace is going ahead as planned. Click on the image to read the pdf article.

"The Shamans of Bulgaria" perform on 10th June @ 8pm

Award-winning performers Elitsa Todorava and Stoyan Yankoulov blend authentic ethno folk with jazz and world music style through drumming and singing, turning a dramatic performance spectacle. This is a unique event not to be missed! They perform on 10th June 2009 @ 8pm at The National Concert Hall - book tickets online here.
Watch a short clip of The Shamans of Bulgaria performing below:

***New*** Digital Calendar of Events

Check out our new digital calendar of events for May/ June - click on the image below:

David Byrne Tickets Released!

This is hot off the press.......a few remaining seats for the David Byrne concert on Monday 6th April have been released for sale.
David Byrne will perfom for one night only in support of his new album "Everything That Happens Will Happen Today", his first collaboration with Brian Eno since the highly influential and critically acclaimed 1981 release "My Life in the Bush of Ghosts". Concert starts at 8pm. Book remaining tickets online here.

Student Standby Scheme ....tickets only €5 !!!

Students can now avail of our "Student Standby Scheme" at the National Concert Hall on production of suitable student identification at the Box Office, subject to the discretion of the Box Office.

Where available, tickets can be purchased for only €5 one hour prior to a performance. Students can purchase one ticket per person for each event. Click here to view all upoming events in The National Concert Hall.

Please check with the Box Office on the day of the concerts for availability. Call (01) 417 0000.

Join our Royal Philharmonic "Scratch" Orchestra

Aged 12- 18? Play an instrument or Sing? We’re looking for young aspiring musicians to join our RPO Scratch Orchestra - in April 2009.

The RPO Scratch Orchestra is a unique experience for all young musicians. You will be supported by a team of world-class musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, who will help you every step of the way. Aimed at creating original compositions in different music styles, there are only a few requirements: to be willing to work as a team, come up with lots of great ideas … oh, and be prepared to enjoy yourself!

WHERE:
The National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2

WHEN:
Thursday April 23rd & Friday April 24th 2009
10am-4pm: Workshops

Sunday April 26th 2009
11:30am-1pm: rehearsal with members of the RPO
1:30pm: Performance with members of the RPO

The project is open to musicians aged 12-18,(Grade 4 or equivalent) and participation is free. All instruments from all cultures are welcome and there are no auditions. Places are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis* so please book early (Booking closes 17th April 2009). *Participants will also be selected according to instrument to ensure variety.

For more information or to book a place, please contact Carol-Ann McKenna on 01 417 0066 or email education@nch.ie.

Become an online music critic!

Have you ever fancied yourself as a writer for Hotpress or NME? Well now could be your chance to become a music critic!
Upload National Concert Hall performance reviews on our Facebook page and the best review each month will receive 1 pair of free tickets to an upcoming event. We will also publish your review on our blog.
Visit our facebook page here and get started!

Follow us on twitter

We have just joined twitter.

Stay connected with The National Concert Hall through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question:

What are you doing?

Join today to start receiving our twitter updates - click on this link.

New Learn & Explore Site

Check out our brand new site dedicated exclusively to children http://www.exploremusic.ie/ .

The site gives children the chance to learn and explore different aspects of The National Concert Hall. From learning the main workings and sounds of an orchestra in our Main Auditorium, to the traditional backdrop of Irish music in the John Field Room. Kids can also have fun with our interactive music games.

Liam Ó Maonalí performs on 4th March - watch clip below.

Liam Ó Maonalí plays music from his critically acclaimed new album To Be Touched on the 4th March @ 8pm. Check out a clip below of Liam performing.



To Be Touched is a birthing of his influences through the medium of song. He uses his first instrument the piano as a landscape for the wandering voice. Here are songs made of a desire to open the heart and to share deep feelings.

Tickets from only €18. Book online now.

Watch a clip of Malian performer - Habib Koité

In the ever-expanding landscape of 'world music', few performers are as widely recognized or revered as Malian guitarist, composer and singer Habib Koité. He performs in the National Concert Hall on 18th February @ 8pm with Bamada ,an extraordinary group of Malian musicians.



While many international artists reside fleetingly on the fringes of popularity, Koité's impact has been substantial and far-reaching, and his exotic blend of traditional Malian rhythms and melodies with more modern influences such as blues, jazz and rock has endeared him to legions of fans around the globe.

Book tickets online here.

Watch a clip of Bulgarian Acapella Folk Choir

Cosmic Voices from Bulgaria are one of the most popular Bulgarian folk choirs today and are set to perform at the National Concert Hall on 10th February @ 8pm.
Watch a clip below of one of their mesmerising performances:



Enjoyed this clip? Why not Book tickets for the concert here.!

Watch a clip of NCH Rising Star Redmond O'Toole

On Monday 26 January 2009, 8pm the National Concert Hall will play host to guitarist Redmond O’Toole as the National Concert Hall 'Rising Star' recitalist for 2009.

Redmond O'Toole has been described as one of the most outstanding young guitarists in Europe. He is the first in the world to adapt Paul Galbraith's groundbreaking technique and instrument. He performs on an 8 string guitar in the position of a cello connected to a resonating box. Recent concerts have brought him to Mexico, Holland, Italy and Germany. In addition to solo recitals Redmond also appears regularly with 'The Chieftains' and in duo with Cora Venus Lunny.

Check out a clip of Redmond performing below. Book tickets for the concert here.