Streams and dreams in Killaloe

Katherine Hunka promises an ‘electrifying series of concerts’ as Killaloe Music Festival enters the digital realm

SAINT Flannan’s Cathedral in Killaloe will provide a stunning backdrop for a feast of “electrifying” music during the June Bank Holiday weekend.
Delving into new digital realms, the Killaloe Music Festival will invite both national and international audiences to enjoy an eclectic music mix through a special series of free live-streamed concerts, presented by RTÉ Lyric FM’s Paul Herriott from June 4 to 6.
Working in her first year as artistic director, Katherine Hunka, promises a series of “electrifying” concerts.
As well as celebrating the music of Bach and Mendelssohn, there will be premieres of new work reflecting modern times, a late-night concert with the fabulous Zoë Conway, and a chance for younger artists to take centre stage.
Katherine is delighted that the ninth annual festival is showcasing so much talent from Ireland and abroad who will provide performances of the highest calibre.
Hailing from London, Katherine was born with music in her bones. After her studies in the Royal Academy of Music and Indiana University, she found her love for academia and has since been both a guest and resident professor in many prestigious colleges around the world.
Since 2002, she has been the leader of the Irish Chamber Orchestra and has had many renowned international tours from West Cork to Singapore and everywhere in between.
As well as her hugely successful solo career, she is also a member of the fun “Far Flung Trio”.
Even if people aren’t fans of classical music, Katherine insists the virtual audience will not be disappointed.
“All the music will be very accessible. A lot of the classical music we play could be turned into a trad tune and vice versa. I think the concerts will give people a real lift, particularly in the midst of a pandemic.
“We will have musicians from Berlin and the United States of America playing together with Irish performers, which is very exciting.”
Last year, the music festival had to be cancelled, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, though there were some virtual performances.
Musicians broadcast from various different locations and sent in recordings of their performances.
This year, however, the festival is going ahead live from St Flannan’s Cathedral albeit without an audience in line with Covid-19 restrictions. It is expected that in the region of 18 musicians in total will be showcasing their wide repertoire of talents.
“It all has to be so well organised because of Covid-19. Nobody can meet and all the musicians have to wear masks and stay two metres apart,” says Katherine.
“Covid-19 has been so difficult for musicians. Music is really about interaction between audience and performer. It is what happens in the space in that minute.
“We are also going to broadcast the music out of the side of Killaloe Cathedral so people who are in the vicinity will be able to hear what we are playing instantly.
“There is something exciting about the live element and the fact it is not recorded. If people switch on, we are performing for you at that particular time.
“Anything can happen, you might drop your fiddle, but that is all part of the performance.”
Musicians are fortunate to be able to rehearse and perform in the cathedral, which she described as a “gorgeous centre point in the heart of Killaloe”.
“The inside of the cathedral is really beautiful. We only use the front part so that everyone can hear the music. The acoustics are lovely. The ceilings are very high. Visually, the cathedral is such a gorgeous place.
“When people are listening to the music they can appreciate the surroundings. It is a beautiful venue for the festival.
“I have never dreamt up a programme before and done it, so it is very exciting.”
Initially, there were plans to host some performances in other venues such as St Flannan’s Catholic Church. However, they had to be put on hold due to Covid-19 restrictions.
She said one of the frustrating aspects of the pandemic is the fact that so many musical performances have to be recorded, with the aim of perfection.
“Performance isn’t about perfection,” she says, “It is about delivering and improvising in the moment and that can make it even better.
“Last year, when I was planning this festival, I never envisaged we couldn’t have an audience. When I start planning next year’s festival, I am fully planning to have an audience in June 2022.”
She had to put a big emphasis on securing primarily local musicians as all participants must be able to quarantine before the festival in line with Covid-19 guidelines, if flying into Ireland.
One of the benefits of going online is the fact that more people at national and international level will tune in, who previously wouldn’t have been in a position to attend.
Katherine expects a lot of people she knows from the United Kingdom, who wouldn’t be in a position to travel to Killaloe, will listen to some of the musicians.
When the pandemic eventually ends and restrictions are no longer necessary, she believes future festivals will incorporate some element of live streaming.
Musicians will rehearse for about nine or ten hours for a few days before the start of the festival two metres apart.
Katherine has lived in Ballina since 2002 since the Limerick-based Irish Chamber Orchestra made it known they were looking for a lead violinist, who is artistically responsible for what happens within the group. She now considers the picturesque village on the banks of the River Shannon as her family home.
In addition to liaising with the conductor, she also plays solo when required as the artistic lead.
The 48-year-old mother-of-two has been playing the violin since she was four.
“I can’t remember not playing the violin. My mother played the violin and I thought ‘this is what you do’. I always found it an incredible way of communicating. I was taught to read music, but I had a teacher from a very young age who believed in playing by ear a lot.
“I always play by ear and I play a lot of different styles. I think it is wonderful to be able to do both. I love playing jazz and folk music and play all types of music with the Far Flung Trio.”
Blessed with a heady cocktail of fun, energy and music, the trio, which includes Katherine on violin, Dermot Dunne on accordion and Malachy Robinson on double-bass, bring an element of joy and playfulness to every performance. The trio brought out a new compact disc before the start of the pandemic.
Robinson has written some new music for the festival, and the trio are looking forward to performing for residents of the Lakes Nursing Home, Killaloe outside the premises.
When Katherine was studying music as a student, she was playing the violin for four or five hours a day. Now, it can vary from an hour to six hours when she is rehearsing for a particular project.
“Some days I am playing for most of the day. Some days I am listening to grade A exams all day. Playing the violin is a joyful thing for me. There is a lot of administration being a musician now, particularly when I am planning a programme for the festival.
“It is lovely to have time, just me and my violin playing some tunes. My eldest son, Carl is very good on the piano and sometimes we play together. My younger son is more interested in jazz and rap.”
The festival is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland, Clare County Council Community Support Scheme and the council’s Creative Project Award.
She stressed the festival would not be possible only for the hard work of a voluntary committee, chaired by Trish Taylor-Thompson, who organise all the funding and the logistics.
Local musicians feature such as Diane Daly, who has produced an “incredible” performance of Obsession from Ysaye, which has been pre- recorded, and Joachim Roewer, who was a previous artistic director, and also lives in Killaloe.
Daly is course director of the MA in Classical String Performance in the University of Limerick where she also teaches Dalcroze, Kodaly and improvisation.
Roewer is a passionate teacher of viola and chamber music at the MA in Classical String Performance at the University of Limerick.
Through the works of Bach, Mendelssohn, and a world premiere by Malachy Robinson, the weekend festival will be an immersive family experience.
On Friday June 4, the festival opens with an enchanting version of J.S. Bach’s Chaconne from Partita No. 2 in D minor, performed by Katherine herself, and the echoing voices of Cómhar.
Friday’s programme will also include the Clarinet Quintet by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, featuring Carol McGonnell, clarinet, Diane Daly, violin, Siún Milne, violin, Joachim Roewer, viola, and Christopher Ellis, cello.
This year’s weekend festival will also include two late night concerts at 10pm. The young, talented cellist, Christopher Ellis will perform Bach’s first unaccompanied suite for cello.
Daly will captivate the audience with her unique take and imaginative interpretation of Ysaÿe’s Violin Sontata Op, 27 No. 2 with choreography and requisitelighting effects.
Saturday’s late night concert promises to be a fun and vibrant show with Zoë Conway, fiddle, John McIntyre, guitar and festival musicians.
One of the many attractive features of the festival is ‘The Rising Star’ emerging artist platform.
On Saturday, June 5 the Coffee Concert at 11am will introduce a thrilling performance from cellist Zoë Nagle playing works by Bach, Brahms and Martinů, accompanied by the German pianist Clara Siegle.
Saturday evening welcomes a blend of magical performances from the internationally acclaimed Irish pianist, Finghin Collins with cellist Christopher Ellis; an exclusive premiere of “For the Atoll“, a new work composed by Malachy Robinson with poetry by Jane Robinson. Far Flung Trio will perform this exquisite piece, reflecting the many changes the world is experiencing.
The final day of the festival will kick off with a special lunchtime concert featuring performances from Finghin Collins, piano, Carol McGonnell, clarinet and Hannah
Miller, French horn, inspired by the works of Robert Schumann and Felix Mendelssohn.
The hugely popular ‘Let’s Play Together’ Children’s Concert will include a series of performances under the musical direction of Diane Daly. These recitals will be aired on the festival website at 3pm on Sunday afternoon.
The festival will draw to a close with an evening concert at 8pm, celebrating the music of Schubert with an Irish line up of internationally acclaimed musicians including Hannah Miller, French horn, John Hearne, bassoon, led by Katherine Hunka.
The works of Charles Harper and Paul O’Brien will be explored and carefully curated by Patricia Haselbeck.

All events will be available through the festival’s reimagined website www.killaloemusicfestival.com

By Dan Danaher