• the217
• Stage
• The Dublin Philharmonic brings two nights of music to the Krannert Center

Related Media

See More About these Events

Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra »

• Event has already occurred
• Krannert Center for the Performing Arts »
  500 S. Goodwin Ave. Urbana, IL 61801
  (Show on map)

Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra: The Irish Spectacular »

• Event has already occurred
• Krannert Center for the Performing Arts »
  500 S. Goodwin Ave. Urbana, IL 61801
  (Show on map)

They were established in the mid-1700s as one of northern Europe’s oldest symphony orchestras, yet the late 1930s and World War II put the orchestra on such hard times that it folded. In 1997, Derek Gleeson reconstituted the orchestra, and for the first time ever they are touring the United States. With one of the act’s 49 stops being held at Krannert Center on both Feb. 26 and 27, two evenings of the Dublin Philharmonic will provide an original view on the Irish-American connection.

It seems only appropriate that the Dublin Philharmonic is providing us with such a unique program, as the orchestra has such a unique history. It was the pride of Irish classical music in performance for 150 years until national independence, the Great Depression and a forthcoming World War drew its non-Irish musicians home. Then the Irish Republic, under the sponsorship of the Irish National Broadcaster, established a national symphony: the RTE Symphony Orchestra and the RTE Light Orchestra. Today, these orchestras are the National Symphony of Ireland.

Dublin-born Gleeson studied piano, conducting and composition at some of Europe’s finest conservatories and music festivals. In his years as founder and music director of the revived Dublin Philharmonic, Gleeson slowly built up the orchestra’s reputation by acquiring first-rate musicians from both Ireland and Europe. He has managed a modest recording contract with Albany Records of the U.S. in an era when record labels were dropping most symphonies, guest conducted some of Europe’s top orchestras, recorded the first Gaelic rendition of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf and even found time to write five film scores.

In his U.S. tour, American audiences will get a hefty dose of European and Russian standards with a bit of special treatment. The program for Feb. 26 is a Beethoven Overture and Concerto and Brahm’s “Symphony No. 2”. Look and listen for one of Gleeson’s great discoveries from this generation of Irish musicians, Conor Linehan. His solo work in Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 3” could be the highlight of your music-going season.

Feb. 27, the baton is passed to Colman Pearce, who will lead the Philharmonic in an evening of traditional Irish music. The Krannert Center has the distinction of being one of the few locations on the 49-stop tour that will hear both sides of the Dublin Philharmonic.

Here is an orchestra that has revived itself from 50 years of exclusion from the classical musical scene. Thanks to the dynamic leadership of Derek Gleeson, the Dublin Philharmonic has returned as a major force in classical and traditional Irish music, and by highlighting some of Ireland’s emerging musical talents such as Conor Lineham, it has risen to such stardom in the musical world that both North and South America will host the act in 2009. The Dublin Philharmonic’s trip to Krannert Center at the end of February may well reflect The Irish Times statement, ”Thanks to the authority and dynamism of their young and talented conductor, Derek Gleeson, the orchestra excelled itself.”