The Irish Chamber Orchestra (ICO) is an Irish classical music ensemble, administratively based at the University of Limerick. The ICO primarily gives concerts at the University Concert Hall, Limerick and at the RDS (Royal Dublin Society) Concert Hall, Dublin. The ICO has also performed in other Irish cities, including Tuam, Wexford, Kinsale, Skibereen, Portmagee, Kilkee, Castleblaney, Omagh, Sligo, Clifden, Ennis and Thurles.
János Fürst founded the ICO in 1963. The ICO consisted only of strings as its regular ensemble for many years, adding wind, brass and percussion players on a freelance basis when needed. The ICO was reformed in 1970 under the name of the New Irish Chamber Orchestra and the principal conductorship of André Prieur. The orchestra first toured North American in 1978. In 1995, the orchestra was again reconstituted, reverting to its original name of the Irish Chamber Orchestra. The ICO formally added horn players and an oboist to its roster in 2008.
Other artistic directors and music directors of the ICO have included Nicholas Kraemer (1986-1992), Fionnuala Hunt (1995-2002) and Nicholas McGegan (2002-2005). The most recent artistic director was violinist Anthony Marwood, who was named the ICO's Artistic Director in April 2005 and formally assumed the post in January 2006. Marwood concluded his tenure after the 2010-2011 season. The ICO's current principal guest conductor is Jörg Widmann.
The ICO has recorded commercially for the Black Box label. The former New Irish Chamber Orchestra made commercial recordings for the Pickwick label, a recording of the two Mozart flute concerti with James Galway, and for the Onyx label, piano concertos of John Field with John O'Conor.
Read more about Irish Chamber Orchestra: Music Directors and Artistic Directors
Famous quotes containing the words irish, chamber and/or orchestra:
“For generations, a wide range of shooting in Northern Ireland has provided all sections of the population with a pastime which ... has occupied a great deal of leisure time. Unlike many other countries, the outstanding characteristic of the sport has been that it was not confined to any one class.”
—Northern Irish Tourist Board. quoted in New Statesman (London, Aug. 29, 1969)
“Where the heart is, there the muses, there the gods sojourn, and not in any geography of fame. Massachusetts, Connecticut River, and Boston Bay, you think paltry places, and the ear loves names of foreign and classic topography. But here we are; and, if we tarry a little, we may come to learn that here is best. See to it, only, that thyself is here;—and art and nature, hope and fate, friends, angels, and the Supreme Being, shall not absent from the chamber where thou sittest.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
““Pop” Wyman ruled here with a firm but gentle hand; no drunken man was ever served at the bar; no married man was allowed to play at the tables; across the face of the large clock was written “Please Don’t Swear,” and over the orchestra appeared the gentle admonition, “Don’t Shoot the Pianist—He’s Doing His Damndest.””
—Administration in the State of Colo, U.S. public relief program. Colorado: A Guide to the Highest State (The WPA Guide to Colorado)