Programme

FRANCIS POULENC (1899-1963)

Sonata pour violin and piano FP 119. 

(written 1942–1943 )

I. Allegro con fuoco

Il. Intermezzo, très lent

Ill. Presto tragico

CÉSAR FRANCK (1822-1890)

Sonata in A major for Violin and Piano, written in 1886.

I. Allegretto ben moderato

II. Allegro

III. Ben moderato: Recitative-Fantasia

IV. Allegretto poco mosso

Jisun Min (violin)

A South Korean violinist of exceptional versatility and expressive depth, Jisun Min is a multiple award-winning performer, chamber music and orchestral leader. A graduate of the Korean National University of Arts (KNUA, K’ARTS) and the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM).

She was appointed as a concertmaster at a young age. She expanded her experience on large stages, performed complete symphonies of classical repertoire. She contributed to recording for Korean traditional music, film music, opera, jazz, classical tango and K-pop songs, she also recorded in commercial advertisement for Samsung. Nominated Rising Star by Hyundai in Korea.

In 2019, she decided to study abroad in Dublin. She completed a Recital Artist Diploma with Distinction, received bursaries every year. Professional mentorship included serious chamber music studies in the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) in Dublin Ireland.

She also appeared as leader of the RIAM Philharmonia for five years, appeared as leader for two operas, two orchestral works which were Irish Premieres.

Particularly while studying at the RIAM, Jisun had the honour to be nominated a Rising star twice. Limerick Rising star on the RTÉ Lyric FM, then the Rising Start Recital of the 2024 West Wicklow Festival. Jisun had an opportunity at the NCH International masterclass project with Maxim Vengerov.

Recent performances include Music for Galway, Tullamore Gramophone Society, Music in Calary Wicklow, Wexford ChamberFest, Dublin Stanford Festival,The Castleknock Music Festival, Summer Project of King’s College London. She was the leader of the Phillipsburg Orchestra in Germany, the Malta Spring Festival 2025.

She was the winner of the Dublin ChamberFest for four years running. She was awarded the Colin Staveley Memorial Medal at Maura Dowdall Competition in Ireland. World String Magazine Strad 1st prize in Korea, International Beethoven Chamber Competition finalist prize in the Krzysztof Pendereczki Centre in Poland.

She has been a member of the NSOI, INO, RTÉCO, Wexford Festival Opera and Ulster Orchestra, and she keeps seeking new stages to play on, in Korea, Ireland and abroad, also regularly scheduled upcoming chamber music and solo recitals. She is one of the artists supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Ireland.

She plays on fine historical instruments, including a J.B.D. Salomon c.1750 violin.

Mengze Shen (piano)

Mengze Shen is a pianist from China. She graduated Bachelor of the Normal University and just completed a Master's degree in RIAM under the expert tutelage of Professor Lance Coburn for piano and Professor David Adams for harpsichord and organ.

In August 2024, she was selected for the prestigious Camerata Ireland Academy, receiving mentorship from Professor Barry Douglas and performing at the Clandeboye Music Festival. Her recent engagements included performing Schumann's Piano Concerto in A minor at RIAM's Piano Concertos Concert and participating as a harpsichordist in RIM's International Early Music Day.

In the 2023-2024 season, she was awarded second prize in the Audrey Chisholm Sonata Cup and received a Highly Commended distinction in the Margaret O'Hea Recital Cup.

Mengze is dedicated to advancing her artistry in piano, accompaniment, chamber music, harpsichord, and organ playing.