The Irish Chamber Orchestra (ICO) has announced eleven concerts as part of its upcoming autumn/winter season, presenting works by Handel, Shostakovich, David Fennessy, Philip Glass and Mozart, as well as the world premiere of a new work by composer and trombone player Paul Frost. Performing with a number of soloists throughout the season, the ICO will visit venues in Dublin, Mayo, Limerick, Cork and Clare. 

Starting on 4 September, the orchestra will perform under the direction of Desmond Earley with organist Tristan Russcher and the Choral Scholars of University College Dublin for an evening of music by Handel, including his Organ Concertos Nos 4 and 7 and The Ways of Zion do Mourn. This performance will take place at St Michael’s Church, Dún Laoghaire, as part of the Dun Laoghaire Organ Concert Series. 

Also in September, violinist Katherine Hunka will direct the orchestra for a concert including the world premiere of a new work by Paul Frost, Trip. The work was inspired by the composer’s own daily thought processes and will be performed alongside Shostakovich’s Concerto No. 1 in C minor – featuring soloists Fiachra Garvey (piano) and Colm Byrne (trumpet) – and Philip Glass’ Symphony No. 3. The concerts will take place at the National Concert Hall (7 September), St Patrick’s Church in Newport, Mayo (8 September), and at University Concert Hall, Limerick (9 September).

From 12 to 15 October, German violinist Florian Donderer will direct the orchestra for a concert of works by David Fennessy, Haydn and Dvořák, visiting Ballina, Youghal, Bantry and Limerick; and in November, the ICO and the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the University of Limerick with a concert featuring current and former students including Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, who will perform music from her Róisín Re-Imagined collaboration with the ICO (24 November). 

Principal Conductor of the ICO Thomas Zehetmair will direct the orchestra for a concert of works by Mozart and Hartmann at the National Concert Hall on 30 November and at University Concert Hall in Limerick on 1 December. On 10 December, the orchestra will perform under the direction of concertina player and composer Tim Collins in a concert titled ‘Breith: A Clare Celebration of Irish Independence’ – a collaboration with musicians from Clare and based around the theme of the War of Independence. 

The ICO will also perform their annual Christmas concert in Limerick, the details of which are yet to be announced. 

For further information and tickets, visit: www.irishchamberorchestra.com