Violinist Mairéad Hickey and cellist Sinéad O'Halloran have curated the Ortús Chamber Music Festival in Cork from 21 February to 1 March. We asked Mairéad the BIG questions . . .
The Festival will take place in the Cork City venues the Aula Maxima in UCC, MTU Cork School of Music, and St Peter’s Cork, as well as Cork County concerts and events in Bantry, Tracton Arts Centre and Dripsey Castle Estate.
Mairéad and Sinéad, decided, in 2016, when they were still teenagers, to start an annual festival with the aim of bringing some the world’s finest young musicians to Cork and to give younger Irish musicians an opportunity to perform.
This year, Mairéad will perform with international musicians from France, David Moreau (violin), Pierre Antoine Cordon (viola) and Jérémie Moreau (piano), Dutch cellist Alexander Warenberg (cello), Spanish double bassist Luis Cabrera, Sergio Bucheli (lute) from Mexico together with Irish musicians Marja Gaynor (violin, viola), Aoife NicAthlaoich (cello) and Miriam Kaczor (flute).
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I'm a classical violinist from Cork and am this year's artistic director of the Ortús Chamber Music Festival
How would you describe your music?
I play classical music in lots of different forms - chamber music, orchestral music and solo.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Growing up in Cork, the Vanbrugh Quartet were one of my major musical influences. Others include David Oistrakh, Itzach Perlman, Andràs Schiff, Maria Callas, Sergiu Celibidache, Mate Bekavac - just to name a few.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Probably listening to my dad playing with one of his bands - I used to fall asleep in his guitar case backstage.
What was the first record you ever bought?
The David Oistrakh complete collection.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Robert Schumann's Scenes from Childhood.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"Peu m’importe si tu m’aimes, Je me fous du monde entier , Edith Piaf Hymne à l'amour."
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Schubert's String Quintet.
Where can people find your music/more information?
I'll be performing at the Ortús Chamber Music Festival in Cork from 21st February to 1st March with a really special group of musicians. Details about the artists, programme and tickets are all available here.
Alan Corr
