The Irish Chamber Orchestra has commissioned the talented Cork-born composer, Sam Perkin, to write a new encore for the ensemble. His much-anticipated Beginnings is an intimate work that contains fragments from the first piece or musical memory of each player in the orchestra.
Perkin received his first commission in 2015 from the ICO, which resulted in his shimmering Nimbus for String Orchestra. The orchestra recently performed Nimbus again to great success at the Kilkenny Arts Festival 2018.
Waves for Solo Percussionist and String Orchestra, which followed in 2016-18, was an attempted self-cure for tinnitus and the orchestra received standing ovations on its world première tour.
The Arts Council of Ireland supported both commissions. Perkin wrote Pause to commemorate the 1916 Easter Rising and dedicated it to the late nationalist and fellow Corkonian, Thomas Kent. The orchestra performed Pause as part of its own 1916 centenary celebrations.
Sam, a graduate of CIT Cork School of Music, received the highest honours in both his undergraduate and post-graduate studies. He has an Artist Diploma in Composition from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse in Lyon, one of world’s leading music colleges.
The Irish Chamber Orchestra will perform Beginnings in Dublin’ Christchurch Cathedral on Thursday September 13 and UCH, Limerick, on Friday September 14 in a thrilling ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN programme. The performances mark the return of charismatic Corsican conductor, Jean-Christophe Spinosi who tackles two of Beethoven’s influential Symphonies – his groundbreaking First and epic Fifth.
The Limerick-based orchestra is resident at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick and is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland/An Chomhairle Ealaíon.