Daughters on hand to mark centenary of great composer’s birth

THE three daughters of one of Ireland’s greatest composers were presented with a birthday cake yesterday to mark the centenary of their father’s birth.

Ruth, Anne and Maeve Fleischmann were the guests of honour at a special brunch at the Crawford Gallery on Cork’s Emmet Place as the city marked Aloys Fleischmann’s centenary.

Fleischmann was born in Munich to Irish-based German parents in 1910.

A composer, conductor and musicologist, he became professor of music at UCC in 1934 — a post he held until his retirement in 1980.

A highly influential figure in musical life in Ireland, he founded the Cork Symphony Orchestra in 1934, and the Cork International Choral and Folk Dance Festival in 1954, and he worked with Joan Denise Moriarty to set up the Cork Ballet Company in 1947.

Thousands attended his funeral Mass at Cork’s North Cathedral in 1992.

His family and friends who gathered yesterday heard Máirín Quill hail his inspired and tireless contribution to culture and arts.

“He cared greatly about Cork city and Ireland, he gave his best and he expected the best,” she said.

“He had a very prodigious ambition for Ireland, he knew the country could excel, having achieved political independence, he believed that the country could come of age, culturally.”

Hundreds of people attended the Aloys Fleishmann Centenary Concert at the Cork School of Music last night featuring the RTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet.

Today, the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at UL and UCC’s School of Music will present a seminar celebrating Fleischmann’s life and work.

* For a programme of the Aloys Fleischmann Centenary Celebration visit www.corkcity.ie/aloysfleischmann.