New orchestra is alive to the sound of Cork
Two Adrians, O’Mahony and Petcu, are behind this new project, and both are already heavily involved in music in the city.
But what led to the birth of this latest orchestral baby? Is there a place for it in a city brimming with music?
Most definitely, yes, says O’Mahony, the chairman.
“It’s something that comes out of my long-term involvement with the Cork Youth Orchestra. We were catering for musicians up to Leaving Cert, when they tended to leave. The CYO did set up a chamber orchestra to cater for the older players, but only the string group. We had players that had left CYO, maybe 10-15 years ago, saying ‘when are you going to do something for us’?”
There are many talented musicians in Cork who have jobs in other fields.
“The idea is that it will be a community-based orchestra with a steering group from the business sector and the music sector and involving everybody across the board, which will make it sustainable,” O’Mahony says.
Naturally, those who work at their music part-time will not be asked to commit to everything.
“We are going to be project-based. For our opening concert on April 11, we will need a big orchestra — 70-plus players. Fortunately, we already have a panel of over 100 who are eager to participate, and that is increasing by the week.”
O’Mahony pays tribute to the support they have received from both city and county council and is looking forward to working with them to advance Cork’s established musical reputation.
The inaugural event, under the baton of principal conductor, Tom Crowley, offers an exceptionally pleasant programme of familiar pieces, including Dvorak’s famous ‘Ninth (From the New World)’, Khachaturian’s Adagio (yes, the one they used for The Onedin Line) and Mendelssohn’s lovely ‘Hebrides Overture’.
Tickets for our inaugural concert are now on sale from Pro Musica #Cork or from @corkautism or @DFSCork pic.twitter.com/eMnANY03tq
— CorkConcertOrchestra (@CorkOrch) March 19, 2015
O’Mahony is sensible of the long tradition into which they are tapping.
“We’d like to continue the orchestra ethos that Aloys Fleischmann had. He was passionately involved with providing music wherever it was needed — not just in concert or recital, but for the opera, the ballet, light entertainment, and we would want to be there for all kinds of groups, too, to work with their projects.”
A not-for-profit voluntary group, Cork Concert Orchestra is firmly committed to assisting local charities.
Musical director, Adrian Petcu, is thrilled with the response to the fledgling organisation.
“All my life has been spent nurturing music and it was so wonderful to get over 100 people responding to our first invitation. They may be working in all kinds of different careers now, but have all kept music as an important part of their life. For them, the project is irresistible, because it gives them that chance to keep music in their lives.”
Exciting concert coming up from Cork's Newest Orchestra. Supporting @corkautism and @DFSCork Get your tickets !! pic.twitter.com/ienpmxGHY4
— CorkConcertOrchestra (@CorkOrch) March 5, 2015
He recalls his own involvement with Fleischmann’s orchestra and the incredible contribution that iconic figure made to music in the city.
“Always for the audience, it is an experience not to be forgotten, the live orchestra. It’s an emotional involvement, and the music grows on the listener,” says Petcu.
“For the musician, too, the passion of the playing is very different when you play for a microphone and when you play for an audience.”
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