This special composer-led series sees leading Irish composers Ann Cleare, Anselm McDonnell, Garrett Sholdice, Ian Wilson and Jane O’Leary respond to Beethoven’s creative legacy. Each concert features a new commission by the composer presented in a concert of their own curation.

Dušica Mladenović, violin
Hugh Tinney, piano

“A quarter million miles from the moon”, Deirdre McKay (vn & pno, 7’)
“Sonata for violin and piano”, Ljubica Marić (vn & pno, 24’)
“Sonnatura”, Ian Wilson (vn & pno, 20’ WP)
“Sonata for violin and piano”, Bernd Alois Zimmermann (vn & pno, 17’)
Composer’s response
Ian Wilson –
My programme centres on the violin & piano sonata, a format developed by Beethoven from the rather lighter works by his predecessors into something that really works as a dramatic form and an equal pairing of instruments. The programme focuses on mid-20th-century sonatas by Serbian composer Ljubica Marić and German composer Bernd Alois Zimmermann and a new work of my own which seeks a novel way to deal with the essence of sonata form. My piece, “Sonnatura”, took inspiration from the nature element in Beethoven’s work (especially evident in his “Pastoral” Symphony) and the “circle” works by artist Richard Long.

Ian Wilson has composed over 200 works in many different genres which have been performed and broadcast on six continents. He is a member of Aosdána, Ireland’s national association of creative artists, and his music is published by G. Ricordi & Co. Ltd and Universal Edition.

Pianist Hugh Tinney has made a major contribution to Irish concert life for over forty years, in multiple solo recital series, chamber music series, and frequent concerto appearances. He has played chamber music with many distinguished individuals and groups. He has recorded solo, chamber and concerto repertoire for several CD labels.

Dušica Mladenović is active as a soloist and chamber musician in Serbia and throughout Europe and is a permanent member of the acclaimed Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra. She has premiered works by Ian Wilson, Dejan Despić, Mirjana Živković, Dušan Radić and many other Serbian composers.