Midwinter Festival: STANFORD
Friday, January 21, 2022 to January 23, 2022
10.00 – 25.00
For its 2022 Midwinter Festival, Music for Galway shines a light on a largely unsung hero of music history, the Irish composer Sir Charles Villiers Stanford. While many music-lovers might have a passing acquaintance with some of his choral music, the scope and breadth of his extensive musical output is worthy of far greater recognition. The influence and legacy of Stanford as one of the 20th century’s most important composition teachers is hard to overstate.
Throughout the weekend, alongside chamber and vocal works by Stanford himself, we hear music by composers who influenced him, and also by many of the composers who studied with him in London.
“Mr. Stanford’s music is dramatically significant, as well as beautiful in itself. It has, moreover, that quality so are among modern composers – style.” The Times, London
“Stanford’s teaching seemed to be without method or plan. His criticism consisted for the most part of “I like it, my boy,” or “It’s damned ugly, my boy” (the latter in most cases). In this, perhaps, lay its value.” His pupil, Edgar Bainton
For those who are in Galway, it will be worth visiting the foyer of the Town Hall Theatre to peruse Music for Galway’s Exhibition presented as part of its 40th Anniversary Season celebrations. Using materials from the special collection at the NUI Galway Library, it looks at the achievements and highlights of the last four decades. This exhibition will be launched with the Midwinter Festival and continue until the end of February.
Sharon Carty mezzo-soprano | Finghin Collins piano | ConTempo Quartet | John Finucane clarinet | Ríona Ó Duinnín flute | John Leonard bassoon | Hannah Miller horn | Dominic Dudley double bass | Christopher Bowen tenor | Collegium | RIAM Student Quartet | Jeremy Dibble musicologist
Following the government announcement on 17 December, the event times have had to be rescheduled. Each concert has been shortened and one additional concert has been added to allow the full programme of music to be presented. We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause.
Friday 21 January – 6.00pm
Town Hall Theatre
| SCHUMANN / STANFORD / BRIDGE | Selected songs |
| REINECKE | Flute Sonata “Undine” Op. 167 |
| STANFORD | String Quartet No. 6 Op. 122 |
Saturday 22 January – 2.00pm
St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, Galway
Collegium | Mark Duley director | Finghin Collins piano
| PARRY | Music when soft voices die |
| WOOD | Full fathom five |
| GRAINGER | Brigg Fair |
| WOOD | Come sleep |
| VAUGHAN WILLIAMS | Turtle Dove |
| PARRY | My delight and thy delight |
| STANFORD | Op 53 Praised be Diana |
| Op 49 Corydon | |
| Op 110 Heraclitus | |
| Op 119 The Blue Bird | |
| Op 119 Chillingham | |
| COLERIDGE TAYLOR | Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast |
Saturday 22 January – 6.00pm
Town Hall Theatre
| SCHUMANN | Adagio and Allegro Op. 70 for cello and piano |
| STANFORD | Fantasy No. 1 for clarinet quintet in G minor |
| REBECCA CLARKE | Selected songs |
| MURIEL HERBERT | Selected songs |
| SAMUEL COLERIDGE-TAYLOR | Clarinet Quintet Op. 10 |
Sunday 23 January – 11.00am
Town Hall Theatre
| FRANK BRIDGE | Three Idylls for string quartet |
| STANFORD | Clarinet Sonata Op. 129 |
| REBECCA CLARKE | Viola Sonata |
Sunday 23 January – 3.00pm
Town Hall Theatre
| BRAHMS | FAE Scherzo |
| SAMUEL COLERIDGE-TAYLOR | Nos. 1 and 2 from Four African Dances |
| REBECCA CLARKE | Selected songs |
| MURIEL HERBERT | Selected songs |
| WILLIAM HURLSTONE | Phantasie for String Quartet in A minor |
| STANFORD | Nonet in F major Op. 95 |
Sunday 23 January – 6.15pm
Town Hall Theatre
FILMS:
That’s None of My Business – Two men of distinction recall their youthful attempt to desegregate a Royal Philharmonic Orchestra concert in Jackson, Mississippi, 1963. Premiere of short film by Charles Kaufmann.
Samuel Coleridge Taylor and His Music in America, 1900–1912 – Full feature documentary by Charles Kaufmann
Total running time of the two films: 90 minutes
Friday 21 January to Monday 28 February
Foyer of Town Hall Theatre
EXHIBITION: 40 Years of Music for Galway
Booking through the Town Hall Theatre: www.tht.ie | 091 569777
In person tickets:
Main concerts: €20/€18 |Students (full time) €10 | MfG Friends €16
Choral concert: €15/€13.50 | Students (full time) €6 | MfG Friends €11
Film: €8/€7
Talks: Free
Festival Ticket: €95/86 | MfG Friends: €82
As per current government guidelines, all attendees must produce proof of immunity (vaccination cert or recovery cert) and photographic ID upon entry with the exception of children who must be accompanied by an adult. Masks must be worn at all times when inside the venue.
Streaming tickets:
All Town Hall Theatre concerts and film will be available to watch as a live stream and will be available for a further 72 hours.
Main concerts: €15
Film: €8/€7
The Midwinter Festival is sponsored by MJ Conroy and NUI Galway
ConTempo Quartet is presented in association with Galway Music Residency
