Martin Hayes fiddle
Dennis Cahill guitar
Pre-concert talk with Martin Hayes at 7.15pm
Undoubtedly the greatest Irish fiddler of his generation, Martin Hayes’ playing defies ordinary descriptions; like a modern-day Paganini, his intensity and soulfulness harnesses breathtaking technique and overflowing improvisations. Sidestepping the trap of empty virtuosity, he strives for what he calls ‘the lonesome touch’ – a melancholy and honesty that encapsulates the struggles from which Irish folk was born.
With his long-time musical partner, Chicago-based Dennis Cahill, they have achieved the delicate balance of tradition and creativity – as Martin Hayes writes, ‘Irish music is the expression of the universal muse… it represents the experience and aspirations of a collective of musicians spread through time. The music is more than just one point of view. It is many things. It is dance music, it is music of community and sharing. It is music to listen to, music to remember by, and to express through.’
£18, £10
(Concessions available)
C2
See Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill play here:
and talk about the music: