Ulster College of Music

Last minute reminder to come to the Ulster College of Music end of term recital at Fisherwick Presbyterian Church on Saturday 20th June at 4.30. We are celebrating our 60th anniversary this year , so this recital is the beginning of 6 months of celebration. As a special treat, some of the performers featured will be joined by tutors from the college. Looking forward to an organ piece and a quartet by Schubert for Flute, Guitar, viola and Cello. Adult tickets are £10 at door, and children are free, wth light refreshments provided. What a lovely way to spend an early evening in June!

We are pleased to invite you to our next Evening Chamber Music Recital taking place on Friday 10th April at 7.30 in the Ulster College of Music, 13 Windsor Avenue Belfast. Cecily Smith Nesbitt will be performing a mixture of traditional classical solo cello pieces including by Bach and Piatti, along with songs and improvisations used in her life as a hospital musician. She will be sharing and reflecting on her community music practice as part of the recital, and exploring the many ways the cello can be used to tell musical stories. Not to be missed!

The Ulster College of Music is looking forward to our March recital this Friday evening. The Rove Ensemble (Zuzanna Edmonds, Aisling Manning, John Murphy and Cecily Smith Nesbitt) will be performing a selection of iconic string quartets.

Shostakovich’s 8th Quartet, written over 3 days, is a beautiful and heartbreaking work dedicated to ‘The Victims of Facism and War.’

Schubert’s Quartettsatz, the first movement of an unfinished string quartet, was eventually premiered posthumously in Vienna in 1867, facilitated by Johannes Brahms. Warm, yet dramatic in parts, it is an excellent example of Schubert’s excellent quartet writing.

Contemporary cellist Giovanni Sollima’s Sonnets of Rondeaux is a wild, experimental, folk inspired ride, interspersed with thoughtful moments amidst the energy. Could you bear to miss such an exceptional programme?

Once again, we were blown away by the breathtaking skills of Orly Watson at the piano. The salon style atmosphere lends itself well to a relaxing and informal atmosphere in which to enjoy the music, and hot drinks and biscuits make you want to kick your shoes off and chat to your neighbour. The music choice was especially inspiring - 6 composers linked to Ireland in different ways. Their stories and interesting anecdotes were fascinating, especially to those of us whose knowledge of piano composition stops with Chopin or Clara Schumann! These unmissable recitals continue in March with the Rove Ensemble.

The Ulster College of Music would like to say a big congratulations to one of our tutors, Anselm McDonnell, following the success of his recent world premier. His latest work, the cello concerto ‘Hostile Summits’, was performed by Martin Johnson (cello), and the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland at the National Concert Hall in Dublin on 30th January.
Anselm received brilliant reviews, and was delighted at how well it was performed and received. Truly inspirational for our students in his composition classes.

The College has been very saddened to hear of the sudden death of one of our former tutors, the flautist Colin Fleming. He was much loved and respected as a teacher, and was himself a pupil of James Galway. He was a member of the Ulster Orchestra for more than 40 years and will be remembered through his many recordings.

The Ulster College of Music will be hosting our February recital on Friday 13th of the month. Orly Watson will be playing an Irish themed selection of works for piano. We will be treated to John Field (seen as the ‘inventor’ of the Nocturne), Ernest John Moeran (an Irish/English composer and collector of folk music), Michael Esposito (born in Italy, but with a lengthy professional life with the Royal Irish Academy of Music), and Belfast born Howard Ferguson, also known for his contributions as a Musicologist. Orly’s last recital was breathtaking and an outstanding success, so come early to get a seat and pre recital refreshments.

The Ulster College of Music are delighted with the brilliant achievement of one of our students. Belated congratulations to our Drama student, Gabriella Duffy, who is taught by our very own Jenny Long. Gabriella was awarded her LAMDA Grade 8 (Gold Medal) in Acting with top distinction. Well done Gabriella!

“Where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea” - join us at the Ulster College of Music this Friday evening for a gentle evening of music and recollection led by Norman Cairns and Winston Erwin of the Percy French Society. One of Ireland’s most famous songwriters and entertainers - who doesn’t know “Come Back Paddy Reilly” or “The Mountains O’ Mourne”? Pull up a chair and start the year with a recital that will warm the heart. See you in the College at 7.30!