Sun. 11 Jan. 2026, 1 – 3pm
€8pp, children go free
Johannes Kavanagh - trumpet
Nils Kavanagh - piano
Laurie Phippard and Austin McManus - violins
Cillian Houston - viola
Anna Houston - cello
Welcome to the first Informal Music Afternoon of the year! Please note, this month it is actually on the 2nd Sunday, just to accommodate all musicians and audience members to get back from their travels and / or re-surface from Christmas relaxation.
We have an exciting program once more, including Sligo Baroque Orchestra performing a Suite by Telemann, members of SBO playing two movements of a string quartet by composer Emilie Mayer from the Romantic era, a Trio Sonata by A. Stradella and brothers Nils and Johannes Kavanagh playing Jazz.
Nils and Johannes Kavanagh are brothers originally from County Sligo, Ireland. Now based internationally, the two musicians are back home for a rare duo gig, presenting some original compositions and arrangements for trumpet and piano. Expect vulnerable moments, exciting interplay, and above all, a shared love of improvised music.
Emilie Mayer was one of the most prolific female composers of the 19th century, and was often called the “female Beethoven”. Like almost all female composers she was written out of history, and was only re-discovered in the 21st century. Laurie, Austin, Cillian and Anna are going to play the first two movements of her beautiful String Quartet in G-minor.
To start off the year, Sligo Baroque Orchestra have chosen an orchestral suite by popular Baroque composer Telemann. His music is always engaging, melodic and endlessly inventive. It is easy to understand why Telemann was probably the most highly regarded composer in Germany in his day, his music viewed by many as being the superior to that of J S Bach.
Austin McManus violin, Anna Houston cello and Rod Alston harpsichord will perform a trio sonata by Allesandro Stradella. He was one of the most brilliant Italian composers from the mid-baroque period, equally famous for his music as he became notorious for his dissolute life-style. His life came to an end with the successful attack by hired assassins – having survived a similar attack some years earlier. The D minor trio sonata is an exciting, emotional piece of intense music.
Sligo Baroque Orchestra would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year, and we are looking forward to seeing you on Sunday.
About the IMA
Informal Music Afternoons are a series of monthly events, presented in partnership with Sligo Baroque Orchestra, where an eclectic mix of music is performed in a welcoming format in The Model’s Atrium space. The Informal Music Afternoon is an ideal way to spend a calm Sunday afternoon. The idea behind this event is to make classical music accessible for all, by means of an informal concert with a relaxed atmosphere in a cafe-style setting. Musicians perform classical works in addition to a non-classical section – often folk, traditional or jazz.
Come along, have a cup of tea or coffee and some delicious food, to enjoy quality music in a relaxed atmosphere, the ideal way to spend a Sunday afternoon! The concerts starts at 1pm, but we recommend coming at 12.30pm.
Sponsors & Partners
Informal Music Afternoons are produced by Sligo Baroque Orchestra in partnership with The Model and are supported by The Arts Council and Sligo County Council.
