Buccleuch Duo: Clarinet/Piano Recital - Raising funds for OMF

Buccleuch Duo – Clarinet and Piano Charity Concert for Olympias Music Foundation

Join us for an enchanting evening of music in support of a great cause! The Buccleuch Duo will perform a captivating program in the historic Forsyth piano showroom, with all proceeds benefiting the Olympias Music Foundation.

• Francis Poulenc (1899–1963): Clarinet Sonata
  Written in 1962, this sonata is one of Poulenc's last works, composed in memory of his friend, Swiss composer Arthur Honegger. It is widely regarded as a staple of 20th-century clarinet repertoire.
• Takashi Yoshimatsu (b. 1953): Four Pieces in Bird Shape
  A delightful and evocative suite inspired by birds, showcasing Yoshimatsu’s contemporary, often lyrical style. Each movement embodies different birdlike characteristics, filled with vivid imagery.
• Benjamin Britten (1913–1976): Down by the Sally Gardens
  Britten’s arrangement of this traditional Irish folk song is simple yet haunting, beautifully blending the piano and clarinet. The piece’s melancholic melody is one of Britten's best-loved miniatures.
• Johannes Brahms (1833–1897): Clarinet Sonata No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 120 No. 2
  Composed in 1894, this sonata is one of Brahms' final works, written during his retirement, which was inspired by his admiration for the virtuoso clarinetist Richard Mühlfeld. It is a richly textured and lyrical piece, a highlight of late Romantic chamber music.

The Olympias Music Foundation, based in Manchester, is an award-winning charity that enables disadvantaged children and adults to experience the joy of music-making, regardless of financial barriers. Learn more here.

About the Buccleuch Duo:

Formed in 2020 in response to the pandemic's closure of creative outlets, the Buccleuch Duo has quickly gained recognition with performances at prestigious festivals such as the West Wicklow Festival (Ireland), Bothwell and Castleconnell recital series, Tunbridge Wells International Music Festival, and Madrid a Tempo. Their performances have been featured on RTÉ Lyric FM and BBC Radio 3.

Órán Halligan (Piano):
Órán Halligan frequently performs as a concerto soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland and at festivals including the Boyne Music Festival and Boyle Arts Festival. He was awarded the "John O'Conor Cup for Outstanding Musicianship" and won 1st Prize in the Irish Freemason’s Young Musician of the Year Award. Currently completing a Doctorate of Music at the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM), Órán also teaches in the RIAM adult division. His debut solo album, Visions, has been broadcast on RTÉ Lyric FM and is available on all major streaming platforms.

Cathal Killeen (Clarinet):
Cathal Killeen has performed across Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. He has appeared as guest principal clarinet with prominent orchestras such as the Ulster Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Manchester Camerata, and the BBC Philharmonic. Cathal is a D'Addario Woodwinds artist and a recipient of the Dunbar Gerber award for chamber music. He is passionate about inspiring the next generation of musicians through educational projects, alongside creating innovative and engaging concert experiences.

Host or Publisher Forsyth Brothers Limited