Pipeworks Festival

Saturday 16th June 8pm – “Clash of the Titans” at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin

In the majestic setting of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral this is an opportunity to hear Ireland’s flagship orchestra teamed with the renowned Willis organ in an exciting and dynamic programme which will appeal to aficionados of contemporary organ music and lovers of the great classics alike. Cathedral Organist David Leigh vies for supremacy with the full resources of the National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of leading Irish conductor David Brophy.

The programme features the Irish première of Thierry Escaich’s virtuosic First Organ Concerto.
Composer, organist and improviser Thierry Escaich is a unique figure in contemporary music and one of the most significant French composers of his generation. “His concerto exploits the full sonic and colour ranges of orchestra and organ in this thrilling three-movement work, the second movement rising to an awe-inspiring climax only topped by the shattering coda of the finale.” Gramophone, September 2014.

Saint-Saens’ ever popular “Organ” Symphony, one of the late 19th century’s most significant and technically sophisticated orchestral works, completes the programme.

Saint-Saens himself said “I gave everything to it I was able to give. What I have here accomplished, I will never achieve again.” The third and last of his symphonies, it has become a firm favourite with audiences world wide and reached millions through the soundtrack of the film Babe.

Programme: Thierry Escaich, Organ Concerto No 1 & Saint-Seans, Symphony No 3 in C Minor “Organ”

Artists: RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, Conductor: David Brophy, Soloist: David Leigh

Tickets €25 / €18 conc | Booking: www.nch.ie