Ailbhe McDonagh

Cellist & Composer

Cellist

Irish cellist Ailbhe McDonagh is a critically acclaimed and internationally recognised soloist, chamber musician, and recording artist.

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Composer

Published by Boosey & Hawkes, creating evocative and highly sought-after contemporary works for solo, chamber, and full orchestra.

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Educator

Professor of cello at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Ailbhe is a high-demand teacher and creator of the popular “It's a... Thing” book series.

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Highlights

New Release

Piano Nocturne No. 1

Piano Nocturne No. 1 is the lead single from an upcoming suite of five solo piano nocturnes recorded by Ailbhe in 2026.

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World Premiere

Fire & Sun

Fire and Sun is a new work for chorus, organ, and cello set to poetry by American poet Sara Teasdale. Commissioned by conductor John Doyle and the Dun Laoghaire Choral Society, it will receive its premiere on 15 November.

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Featured Album

Bach: Complete Solo Cello Suites

McDonagh plays as if the cello is an extension of her thinking as well as her body: there is a sense of unity of player and played that gives the suites a wholly pleasurable sense of cohesion.

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Upcoming Concerts & Events

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Nov062026

New Release

Piano Nocturne No. 1

Digital Release

Nov152026

World premiere17:00

Fire & Sun (new choral work)

Church of the Assumption, Dalkey, Dublin, Ireland

17:00

Nov212026

Composition performance19:30

Irish Four Seasons

Lorne Watson Recital Hall, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada

19:30

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Recent Compositions

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2026Choir, Cello & Organ

Fire & Sun

Fire and Sun is a 15-minute work for chorus, organ, and cello composed by Ailbhe McDonagh to poems by Sara Teasdale (1884–1933). Commissioned by conductor John Doyle and Dun Laoghaire Choral Society, it was premiered in November 2026.

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2026Cello & Piano

Storm

Storm for cello and piano was composed by Ailbhe McDonagh in 2026.

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2026Cello

Dance Suite for Solo Cello

Dance Suite for solo cello was composed by Ailbhe McDonagh in 2020.

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Press & Reviews

“McDonagh plays with flawless technique, faultless intonation, and a strong yet meltingly sweet tone.”

Fanfare MagazineBeethoven: Complete Cello Sonatas

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