In the tinkling of a keyboard in the twinkle of an eye. The idea for a piano festival in New Ross found a gap in the arts market and the size of new Ross suited a small festival that always thought big. Now in its fifth year and is a firm favourite in the Festival calendar.
Due to the vibrant energy of Artistic Director Finghin Collins and the venue location at St.Mary’s Church New Ross overlooking the town and river has provided quality acts, virtuoso pianists, firm favourites and sparkling reputation makers. This is a weekend that is special and the audiences are warm, friendly and knowledgeable.
This year Chopin is celebrated as the 200th anniversary of his birth. The fine Chinese rising star Sa Chen, the French Lebanese virtuoso Abdel Rahman El Bacha will explore 24 Chopin preludes and Czech keyboard stylist Libor Novacek will render the Mazurkas.
There will be a Friday night concert at 8pm, a noon recital on Saturday 25th September, a 7.30pm one featuring Collins on Schumann who is also 200 years old. Collins will deliver the impressive Schubert Piano Sonata at a late 10pm Saturday recital.
On Sunday the Irish born Rebecca Capova will excite at noon and a Sa Chen section will feature a Chinese composer at 3.30pm along with others to close this bijou or boutique festival.
There will be lunchtime sessions on South Street, Friday and Saturday 24th and 25th.
