Katherine Hunka
Into the Clear Air [2025]
Performed by the Solas Quartet
Triskel Christchurch, Cork, 22nd November 2025
This piece written for the Solas string quartet uses fragmented pieces of the haunting theme of “The lark in the Clear Air.” I have always loved this traditional tune, originally known as the Tailor’s song. It was later set to words by poet Samuel Ferguson. The words speak of a soaring soul, love and hope. Into the clear air is a tribute to this gorgeous tune, inspired by the idea that we, like the lark, can soar and spread our wings. Move into new pastures, into the clear air.
Katherine Hunka, violinist and composer
Violinist Katherine Hunka enjoys a diverse and colourful career as a violinist, chamber musician, composer and mentor. For twenty-six years Katherine led and directed the Irish Chamber Orchestra. She directed tours in Germany, China and Singapore as well as in festivals closer to home including the West Cork Chamber Music Festival and Kilkenny Arts Festival. In 2002 she released a solo album with the ICO of Piazzolla’s The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires and Schubert that received glowing reviews including five stars in BBC music magazine.
Katherine was Artistic Director of the Killaloe Music Festival for many years and is a regular guest as soloist and chamber musician at festivals throughout Ireland and the UK. Highlights of Katherine’s solo career have been performing a Mozart Concerto with the City of London Sinfonia, premiering Benjamin Britten’s concerto for violin and viola at the Aldeburgh festival and most recently premiering David Fennessey’s concerto “Blood” with the Irish Chamber Orchestra in Berlin. Her group the Far Flung Trio presents wildly eclectic programmes that delight audiences. Their new album “Umbrellas” was released in August on the Orchid Classics label.
Katherine is currently dedicating much time to composing. In 2025 she received a bursary from the Irish Arts Council to allow her time to explore composition further. Amongst her output is “Pass the Hat” written for the Solas string quartet, of which she is a founder member, which was toured in 2023. “The Bassist” for the bass and cellos of the Irish Chamber Orchestra was toured in 2024 and pieces for violin and loop pedal have been premiered at the Killaloe Festival and Kaleidoscope Night. She has invitations to festivals throughout Ireland to perform shows of her violin and loop pedal pieces.
Mentoring young musicians is an important part of Katherine’s musical life. She has been a guest prof at Indiana University, is currently lecturer at MTU Cork School of Music and is Artistic Director of ConCorda chamber music course. In June she directed the inaugural concert of the National Youth Chamber Orchestra of Ireland