Programme

Debussy Sonata for Cello and Piano in D minor

McDonagh Skellig

Barber Sonata Cello and Piano Op. 6

Ailbhe McDonagh is an internationally recognised cellist known for her work as both a soloist and chamber musician. Praised by Fanfare Magazine for her “flawless technique, faultless intonation, and a strong yet meltingly sweet tone,” she has built a distinguished career through performances, recordings, and broadcasts that have reached audiences around the world.

As an accomplished chamber musician, Ailbhe collaborates with the acclaimed pianist John O’Conor, with her sister Orla McDonagh, and with violinist Lynda O’Connor. She is a member of the Ficino Ensemble and the traditional Irish music crossover group Trio Elatha.

In addition to her performance career, Ailbhe is an established composer published by Boosey & Hawkes. Her compositions have been featured in syllabi worldwide, and has received commissions from festivals in Ireland, USA and Europe. Her debut orchestral work 'Irish Isles Suite' was recorded and released by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in 2023.

Her debut solo album, ‘It's a Cello Thing’ (2012), was named CD of the Week on Ireland’s national classical music station, RTÉ Lyric FM. Her 2020 album, ‘Skellig’, was featured in the Irish Examiner’s Top Albums of the Year.

In 2021, Ailbhe released ‘Beethoven: Complete Cello Sonatas’ with John O'Conor on the Steinway label. Classical Music Sentinel states "McDonagh and O'Conor coalesce perfectly, as if propelled by the music's undertow, and echo each other's expressive mien with dynamic balance" and proclaims it as one of their Essential Recordings. AllMusic gave the album 4.5 out of 5 stars.

In 2024, she released her new album, ‘Bach: Complete Solo Cello Suites’ on the Steinway & Sons label. This is the first such recording by an Irish cellist.

Ailbhe has been a member of the strings faculty at the Royal Irish Academy of Music since 2010. She is also in demand as a masterclass instructor.

Ailbhe performs on an Andrea Postacchini cello from 1833.

Praised for his passionate, sensitive, and thoughtful musicianship, pianist Arunesh Nadgir has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in the United States, South America, Europe, and Asia. He has performed in venues including Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Kodak Hall at the Eastman Theatre, and Jordan Hall, and has participated in several international music festivals including the Millennium International Piano Festival, The Moulin d’Ande Festival, and the Kneisel Hall Summer Music Festival. He has performed on Nashville Public Radio and WNYC in live radio broadcasts.

An accomplished teacher, Nadgir is the Coordinator of Keyboard Studies and Professor of Piano at Middle Tennessee State University. He also maintains a private piano studio and is on the faculty of the Dow Street Community Music School, a nonprofit music school committed to providing high quality and affordable music education for music students in the Murfreesboro area. In 2024, he joined the faculty of the Kinhaven Music School in Weston, Vermont. He has previously held teaching positions at New England Conservatory's Preparatory and Continuing Education Departments, the Eastman School of Music, the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, and the Point CounterPoint Music Camp. His students have been accepted to music festivals and college music programs across the United States and have won top prizes at pre-college and college level music competitions including the University of Rochester Concerto Competition, the MTNA Tennessee Young Artist Piano Competition, and the Tennessee Music Teachers Association Solo Piano Competition. 

A sought-after clinician, Nadgir frequently presents master classes, performances, and lectures for university and pre-college programs, music organizations, and private piano studios. A dedicated member of the Music Teachers National Association, he has served at the President of the Tennessee Music Teachers Association and as chair of the MTNA State President’s Advisory Council. 

Nadgir holds degrees from the New England Conservatory of Music, The Juilliard School, and the Eastman School of Music where he studied under Wha Kyung Byun, Robert McDonald, and Natalya Antonova, respectively.