During Autumn 2023, Ailbhe will perform all the Bach Cello Suites over three evening recitals at the United Arts Club, Dublin 2. Each concert will include a programme of two suites and an introductory talk to these famous works by the masterful Johann Sebastian Bach. Here are the details of each concert and links for tickets:
Bach Solo Cello Suites 2 & 5 Solo cello recital and introductory talk 📅 October 25th at 7:30pm 📍 United Arts Club, Fitzwilliam St., Dublin 2 🎟 Tickets on Eventbrite here
Bach Solo Cello Suites 1 & 6 Solo cello recital and introductory talk 📅 November 22nd at 7:30pm 📍 United Arts Club, Fitzwilliam St., Dublin 2 🎟 Tickets on Eventbrite here
The United Arts Club is an intimate yet vibrant social venue for the arts in the heart of Georgian Dublin with a full bar on the premises.
The first recital in this series, where Ailbhe performed Suites 3 & 4, took place on September 20th to a packed house.
"McDonagh plays with flawless technique, faultless intonation, and a strong yet meltingly sweet tone." Fanfare Magazine
Irish cellist Ailbhe McDonagh is an international soloist, chamber musician and recording artist who performs worldwide.
As a composer published with Boosey&Hawkes, Ailbhe has a large collection of chamber, orchestral and pedagogical works to her name.
Upcoming concerts
Culture Night 2023 With Lynda O'Connor (violin) & Máire Carroll (piano) 📅 September 22nd 📍 Whale Theatre, Greystones, Co. Wicklow 🎟 Get tickets
Bach Solo Cello Suites 2 & 5 Solo cello recital 📅 October 25th 📍 United Arts Club, Fitzwilliam St., Dublin 2 🎟 Get tickets
Bach Solo Cello Suites 1 & 6 Solo cello recital 📅 November 22nd 📍 United Arts Club, Fitzwilliam St., Dublin 2 🎟 Get tickets
Shostakovich, Brahms, McDonagh & Golijov With Ficino Ensemble 📅 December 6-10th 📍 5 concert nationwide tour 🎟 Get tickets: Listowel / West Cork / Kilkenny / Cork / Dublin
Mozart, McKay & Penderecki With Ficino Ensemble & Finghin Collins 📅 January 24th to February 4th, 2024 📍 8 concert nationwide tour 🎟 Get tickets: TBC
New release: Irish Isles Suite
In 2023, Ailbhe wrote and published her second orchestral work the ‘Irish Isles Suite’ with the support of the Arts Council of Ireland. This is a 13 minute work in three movements.
Each movement of the Irish Isles Suite is based on one specific island off the coast of Ireland, namely Achill Island, the Blasket Islands and Tory Island. This piece was recorded by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra with conductor David Brophy.
Cello teaching and masterclasses Ailbhe is a lecturer at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. For private one-on-one cello lessons and masterclasses please get in touch. Ailbhe is available to teach internationally with in-person or online classes. Here is a recent masterclass for the National Concert Hall of Ireland.
Popper Études project
During 2021, Ailbhe was joined by American cellist Katie Tertell where they learned one Popper study each week, recorded a live discussion of practice tips and performed it live to each other. Each of these videos gives two professional cellists’ practice approaches to each of the 40 études. This is an excellent resource for cellists learning and practicing these études. Click here to learn more about the project.
