Ailbhe McDonagh [1982]
String Quartet No. 2, The Lore Quartet [2023]

Commissioned by the National String Quartet Foundation with funds from the Arts Council of Ireland

Performed by the Ficino Quartet
Triskel Arts Centre, Cork, 9th December 2023

The Lore Quartet is a journey through some of Ireland's most treasured myths and legends. It is in three movements - each depicting a different aspect of Irish folklore.

i. Dolmen

The word "dolmen" evokes images of ancient burial tombs with their grand megalithic stones standing as a testament to the ages. These historic structures are scattered across the Irish landscape, holding within them the stories and secrets of a time long past. McDonagh's "Dolmen" begins with four chords signifying a Dolmen with four magnificent stones, echoing the whispers of ancient spirits. Throughout this movement, there is a beautiful interplay between the ethereal and the grounded, mirroring the dichotomy between the earthly stones and the eternal souls they shelter.

ii. Fairies

Ireland’s lore brims with tales of fairies - magical creatures that embody the whims and mysteries of the natural world. In "Fairies," McDonagh paints a vivid picture of these enigmatic beings. Beginning with delicate harmonics, the music soon blossoms into vibrant, playful melodies. The interweaving lines of the violins capture the capricious nature of these mythological entities, dancing one moment and disappearing the next. In the midst of this frolicsome music, however, there are moments of melancholy reflection, perhaps a nod to the darker aspects of fairy lore.

iii. Púca

The Púca is a complex figure in Irish mythology, a shapeshifter known to both aid and hinder humans in their endeavors. McDonagh's final movement is a fitting homage to this creature of duality. Dramatic shifts in dynamics and harmonies keep listeners on their toes, just as the unpredictable Púca might. One can almost visualise the Púca's transformation through the shifting moods and textures of the music - sometimes helpful and harmonious, at other times disruptive and discordant. McDonagh imagines the Púca in the shape of a horse which can be heard rhythmically throughout this movement.

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Ailbhe McDonagh is an established composer with over 250 published works and commissions to her name. Her debut orchestral work 'Irish Isles Suite' was recorded and released by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in 2023. Her much-anticipated violin concerto the 'Irish Four Seasons' is due to be released in 2024. Some other notable commissions include her String Quartet No.1 for the Appalachian Chamber Music Festival, USA, an eight-hand piano work for the opening of the Whyte Recital Hall at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin, a piano trio for the Via Columbani, a piano duet for the Dublin International Chamber Music Festival, and a solo cello suite supported by the Arts Council of Ireland. ailbhemcdonagh.com