Bass clarinettist, Deirdre O’Leary, and percussionist, Alex Petcu have come together to create a programme of funky rhythms and wildly beautiful sounds, full of eccentricity and wit. Their first ever performance as a duo will feature the world premiere of Barry O'Haplin's 'Heaving Moss'.
A new duo with big plans, Alex and Deirdre have played together for many years in Crash Ensemble and other groups. They share a dynamic energy and a passion for innovative performances.
The programme will include the world premiere of Heaving Moss, written specially for the event by composer and guitarist Barry O’Halpin, alongside music by Ross Edwards, Unsuk Chin, David Lang, Susan Kander, Kevin Free, Adam Scott Neal and JS Bach. Full programme below.
About the Musicians
An Irish musician of Romanian origin, Alex Petcu has quickly established himself both nationally and internationally as a percussionist of the finest calibre. His recent appearances as a soloist with both RTE orchestras and Irish Chamber Orchestra are some of his main highlights so far. An active freelance musician, Alex performs with a wide variety of ensembles and in a range of settings including the Crash and Hard Rain Ensembles, Bangers and Crash Percussion, the professional orchestras in Ireland, as a soloist at various festivals, as a theatre musician and much more. His debut album, "Alex Petcu: In Time" has recently been released on the RTE lyric fm label.
Clarinet and bass clarinettist, Deirdre O’Leary is best known for her energy on stage and her sensitivity as a chamber and orchestral musician. She has been a member of Crash Ensemble since 2003, touring internationally and recording. She was a founding member of Prey Trio, touring, commissioning, arranging and devising with them, and subsequently cofounded Cassiopeia Wind Quintet with whom she has played many international chamber music festivals and toured Ireland. She has also toured internationally and recorded with Berlin-based s t a r g a z e, and has performed, filmed and recorded two albums with the medieval jazz group Anakronos. She plays regularly with the Irish National Opera orchestra and is working on an ongoing project for the outreach dept. of the National Concert Hall.
“Deirdre O’Leary’s clarinet solo to open the slow movement was a quiet revelation of neglected beauty.”Irish Times
