Rising Irish violin star David Tobin has performed as soloist with leading orchestras including the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and National Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonieorchester Aachen and Poltava Symphony Orchestra Ukraine.
A much in-demand musician, David has performed at prestigious events such as Salzburg Festival, Lucerne Festival and the BBC Proms. His recent highlights include making his conducting debut at Carnegie Hall with the New York Concerti Sinfonietta and touring with Budapest Festival Orchestra.
David will curate a new series titled Echoes of Europe in the National Concert Hall this Autumn. These chamber music concerts feature some of Europe's most exciting young musicians, including cellist Anouchka Hack, violinist Elly Suh and Pianist Fiachra Garvey, exploring repertoire from the European canon with a hint of the contemporary.
We asked David for his choice cultural picks...
FILM
Tár. Released in 2022 and nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, this is a very interesting movie about the role of a conductor in an orchestra. I'm sure everyone has asked themselves at one point or another what a conductor actually does. Coincidentally I watched this on the flight back from New York after my Carnegie Hall conducting debut. I hope I don't have the same fate as Maestra Lydia Tár (Cate Blanchett).
MUSIC
Hollywood Soundstage by Sinfonia of London and John Wilson, an orchestra I love to perform with. Sit back and enjoy. Some of the best film music ever written, performed by one of the world's best orchestras.
BOOK
Against the Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa.
THEATRE
Not a play but I would recommend going to see Irish National Opera productions of Faust and La Bohéme coming up in October and November.
TV
I don't watch TV unfortunately. Too much fiddling around (with my violin, of course).
GIG
I had an amazing experience last month co-leading the West Eastern Divan Orchestra in Berlin with Maestro Daniel Barenboim.
ART
Abbas Moayeri. Not only my uncle but an incredible Persian Miniature painter. He died during the pandemic unfortunately but will be remembered forever. Please Google his name and enjoy his wonderful art.
TECH
Plantnet. Ever see a flower, leaf or tree and wonder what it is? This app is free and will give you all the answers you are looking for!
THE NEXT BIG THING...
The Echoes of Europe series at the National Concert Hall. Come and enjoy some of Europe's best young musicians. You won't regret it. Accessible and inclusive for all, no matter which music you usually listen to. Hope to see you at the first concert on September 7th.
The Echoes of Europe series takes place on Thursday September 7th, Wednesday 20th September, Thursday 5th October and Thursday 9th November 2023 - find out more here.
