The programme offers a rare chance to experience both Four Seasons side by side: Vivaldi’s iconic portrayal of the Italian year and McDonagh’s rich, poetic reimagining of Ireland’s seasons through a contemporary classical perspective. Her Irish Four Seasons has been praised by The Strad as “a beautifully judged, rewarding melding of Irish-style tunes and Baroque-style settings,” with moments that flow effortlessly from the elegant, songlike phrasing of Earrach (Spring) to the “unearthly, icy purity” of Geimhreadh (Winter).
“Vivaldi’s Four Seasons is such an iconic piece,” says violinist and Anamus founder Lynda O’Connor, “and we have such a rich musical heritage here in Ireland. I wanted to bring those two worlds together – to show that our traditional music has every bit as much rhythm, character, and beauty as the Baroque. Ailbhe took that idea and turned it into something extraordinary.”
The story of The Irish Four Seasons started with a conversation between two long-time collaborators and friends. O’Connor asked McDonagh to create the piece for her debut album on Avie Records, The Irish Seasons, and what initially was an artistic experiment quickly grew into a creative partnership with global reach.
“Lynda had been performing Vivaldi’s Four Seasons for years,” McDonagh recalls. “She used to say, ‘We really should have an Irish version!’ I loved the idea from the start, and writing it for her made perfect sense. I know her playing inside out, her musical instincts, her sense of drama, her warmth, and I wanted to capture all of that in the music.”
Each movement – Earrach (Spring), Samhradh (Summer), Fómhar (Autumn), and Geimhreadh (Winter) – paints an unmistakably Irish portrait. There’s a slow air that imitates the first breath of spring, a lively summer reel bursting with sunshine, a slip jig that whirls through autumn winds, and a chillingly beautiful winter finale that gathers all four seasons into one. As McDonagh notes, “we often experience all four in a single Irish day!”
Irish violinist Lynda O’Connor
The collaboration between O’Connor and McDonagh has been described as a meeting of musical soulmates, two artists united by their passion, fearlessness, and deep sense of trust.
“When I play with Ailbhe, I know she’ll follow me anywhere,” says O’Connor. “That openness creates performances that are alive, spontaneous, and full of feeling. That’s what Anamus is all about: sharing the soul of ourselves with our audience.”
It was during the recording of The Irish Seasons that the roots of the Anamus Ensemble took hold. O’Connor hand-picked each musician, some of the finest performers on the international stage, for their virtuosity, heart, and connection. Conductor David Brophy directed the sessions, and as O’Connor recalls, something extraordinary occurred in the studio.
“We pressed play in the booth after one take and just looked at each other,” she says. “The electricity in the sound was undeniable. It was clear we weren’t just making a record, a real ensemble had been born.”
Anamus, meaning “the soul of us”, captures that spirit perfectly. Their mission is to break down barriers between performers and audiences, creating concerts that feel human, open, and full of life.
“I love to talk to the audience,” O’Connor adds. “To tell them what inspired the music, what they might listen for, or even when to clap. It makes everyone feel welcome, like they’re part of the performance, because they are.”
This upcoming Wexford concert also celebrates the world premiere of Ailbhe McDonagh’s new Concerto for Cello and Chamber Ensemble, performed by the composer herself. The four-movement piece described by McDonagh as “melodic, heroic, and thrilling”, is set to be a significant addition to her expanding catalogue, blending romantic lyricism with modern intensity.
“It’s a piece I’ve wanted to write for years,” she says. “It opens heroically, flows through an introspective cadenza, and ends with a finale that I hope will have the audience on their feet. Think Elgar and Shostakovich meeting Irish passion.”
Between the dazzling virtuosity of O’Connor, the lyricism of McDonagh, and the sheer artistry of Anamus Ensemble, this concert will be one of the most vibrant events in Wexford’s December calendar, a celebration of creativity, friendship, and Ireland’s place on the world music stage.
Tickets: €25 / €20 (concessions) / €10 (students & unwaged). Available at the door or online at Eventbrite.ie
Venue: St. Iberius Church, Wexford
Date: Thursday, December 12, 8pm
Music for Wexford are supported by The Arts Council of Ireland, County Wexford Arts Office and RTE Supporting the Arts