NSO: Bill Whelan at 75

Gavin Maloney, conductor 
Zoë Conway, fiddle 
Tara Howley, uilleann pipes
Séamus Ó Flatharta, voice, Irish harp, whistle
Damien Mullane, accordion

Dancing At Lughnasa Main Title
Caraçena from The Seville Suite
An Chistin from The Connemara Suite
New work for the National Symphony Orchestra World premiere
Riverdance Symphonic Suite

The National Symphony Orchestra proudly celebrates composer Bill Whelan’s 75th birthday with an evening featuring several of his most popular works. 

The programme includes the world premiere of a new work commissioned for the occasion by the National Symphony Orchestra from the Grammy Award-winning composer. Commenting on the new commission, Bill Whelan says: “I am honoured to have the National Symphony Orchestra celebrate my birthday, and I am particularly pleased to have this opportunity to write a new piece for this superb ensemble. In the spirit of celebration, the piece will focus on the instruments of the orchestra, featuring a focus on each section as well as highlighting individual soloists.”

Also featuring in this birthday celebration, the title music from the film of Brian Friel’s “Dancing at Lughnasa”, which starred Meryl Streep, and Caraçena from The Seville Suite, originally composed for Expo 92 and featuring Whelan’s signature use of traditional musicians, including Tara Howley and Damien Mullane, in an orchestral context. 

Séamus Ó Flatharta and Zoë Conway join to perform An Chistin from The Connemara Suite, a playful interaction between fiddles, feet and orchestra.

The thrilling Riverdance Symphonic Suite, featuring all of the now-familiar melodies from Whelan’s hit score and which sets aside the traditional instruments and songs from the stage show to release the majestic sweep of a full symphony orchestra, will be a fitting conclusion to this joyful celebration.

Presented by NCH