Galway Cathedral Recitals Summer Concerts 2008 29 June – 21 August 2008 Full information and copies of this press release at www.galwaycathedral.org/recitals It’s that time of year again! The annual series of summer concerts in Galway Cathedral begins with a special concert on Sunday 29 June, then continues with a concert each Thursday evening between 10 July and 21 August. Most of the concerts feature the Cathedral’s magnificent organ, recently rebuilt and now the most exciting instrument in the country. The concert on Sunday 29 June is given by Daniel Roth, world-famous organist of the Basilica of Saint-Sulpice in Paris, and begins at 8.00pm. Daniel Roth is particularly known for his performances of French 19th-century symphonic music, and his programme features both this and improvisations on submitted themes. The main series runs on Thursdays from 10 July until 21 August at 8.00pm each evening, and features the very finest of Irish and European talent. Germany, Spain and the Czech Republic are represented respectively by Marcus Strümpe (10 July), Aitor Olea Juaristi (17 July) and Hana Bartošová (24 July), who present exciting and varied programmes of music from five centuries and ten countries. Irish performers make up the latter half of the series. Peter Barley, organist of St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin (31 July), plays Widor’s third symphony as well as music by Irish composer Eric Sweeney. Niall Carroll, organ scholar of Galway Cathedral for the last two years, makes his debut solo recital on 14 August, while Cathedral organist Raymond O’Donnell plays two large French symphonic works on 21 August. Finally, an interesting and unusual concert will be presented by the Maynooth Guitar Orchestra on 7 August. This 20-strong group, the only active guitar ensemble in Ireland, performs arrangements as well as new music specially commissioned for the orchestra. Admission to each of the concerts is €12.00 (concessions €10.00) at the door. A Friend’s ticket, which gives admission to all eight concerts, is excellent value at €60.00: see the Galway Cathedral Recitals website (www.galwaycathedral.org/recitals) for details, as well as full programmes and further information on this year’s performers. Come to the Cathedral, enjoy good music in this wonderful setting, and afterwards meet the performers over a glass of wine! * * * * * * Contact details: Raymond O'Donnell Director of Music Galway Cathedral Galway Tel: 087 2241365 Fax: (091) 534881 Email: rod@iol.ie Web: www.galwaycathedral.org/recitals