Upcoming...Ailbhe's newly composed second string quartet, String Quartet No.2 "Lore Quartet", will be premiered by the Ficino Ensemble during their upcoming nationwide tour in December 2023. This piece was commissioned by the National String Quartet Foundation of Ireland and was featured as "Premiere of the Month" in the December issue of The Strad magazine. The first concert of the tour is at St. John's Theatre, Listowel on 6 December 2023. |
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"McDonagh plays with flawless technique, faultless intonation, and a strong yet meltingly sweet tone."
Fanfare Magazine
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.
As a composer published with Boosey&Hawkes, Ailbhe has a large collection of chamber, orchestral and pedagogical works to her name.
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.
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.
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.
Watch and listen
You can watch videos of Ailbhe's performances and compositions on her YouTube channel and listen to her albums on her Spotify page. Links below.
Here is one of Ailbhe's compositions which appears on the 2020 album 'Skellig'.
You can watch videos of Ailbhe's performances and compositions on her YouTube channel and listen to her albums on her Spotify page. Links below.
Here is one of Ailbhe's compositions which appears on the 2020 album 'Skellig'.
How to pronounce Ailbhe
Ailbhe is pronounced AL-vah. In Irish, the letters bh are pronounced like a v.
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Ailbhe is pronounced AL-vah. In Irish, the letters bh are pronounced like a v.
😀