This year the New Ross Piano Festival presents the Irish debut of two very different pianists: Anne-Marie McDermott, ‘one of the great American pianists of her generation’, who has a major career as a soloist and chamber musician in the USA and beyond, but has never played in her ancestral home of Ireland; and the Romanian pianist Alexandra Dariescu, recently named by International Piano Magazine as ‘one of 30 pianists under 30 destined for a spectacular career’.

Anne-Marie, Alexandra and the festival’s Artistic Director Finghin Collins will be joined by outstanding Bulgarian violinist Svetlin Roussev and French cellist Marc Coppey for performances of three glorious piano trios.

The popular weekend coffee concerts will be given by François Dumont from France and Marcos Madrigal from Cuba. Young Waterford pianist Billy O’Brien will fill the new Friday coffee concert slot, a free event specifically geared towards younger ears. David Greilsammer will return to perform the fascinating late-night programme ‘Labyrinth’ from which he had to withdraw last year due to ill-health.

For the second year running the festival presents Jazz Piano Day, this year on Thursday September 27th, again curated by Phil Ware. The headline act will be Swedish pianist and composer Lars Jansson, who is acclaimed in Scandinavia and throughout Europe for his eclectic performances and improvisations.

For further information and tickets, visit www.newrosspianofestival.com.

Programme:

Wednesday, 26 September
7.30pm: Young Pianists Concert

Thursday, 27 September
1.05pm: Lunchtime Jazz – The Phil Ware Trio
8.00pm: Evening Jazz – Lars Jansson

Friday, 28 September
12.00pm: Coffee concert – Billy O’Brien
8.00pm: Main Opening Concert

Sautrday, 29 September
12.00pm: Coffee concert – Francois Dumont
3.00pm: Piano Masterclass with Anne-Marie McDermott
7.30pm: Evening Concert
10.00pm: David Greilsammer ‘Labyrinth’

Sunday, 30 September
12.00pm: Coffee concert – Marcos Madrigal
3.30pm: Closing concert