Bofeenaun Church tunes up for annual classical concert

Beethoven in Bofeenaun


Trevor Quinn

Classical music and the quaint north Mayo village of Bofeenaun are two differing worlds which one would imagine should not ordinarily overlap. Traditional Irish music and perhaps a little pop or rock on occasion might be heard, but sophisticated Beethoven or alluring Wagner would have as much association with Bofeenaun as Connemara has with cloud computing. Up until recently that is.
Former British Chamber Orchestra assistant lead violinist Iain King and his wife, Joan, have been living in Ballina for a number of years. It was his brother-in-law Thomas Rowland who listened attentively to King’s melodic harmonies in the parish church and first pioneered the idea of hosting a classical music event in the north Mayo village. King’s extensive contacts were then used to attract some of the best classical-music names to Mayo.
“The Mayo Classical Concert takes place in Bofeenaun church this July 16 and 18. “The quality of the musicians is on a par with the National Concert Hall in Dublin. We try to vary it every year and it draws people from all over the country and beyond,” Rowland explained, adding they expect visitors from Germany, Scotland and England.
This year, Ballina resident Iain King, who has also previously played with the Philharmonic Orchestra (first violin), will be joined again by London pianist Caroline Clemmow and Korean musician Su-a-Lee.
King’s musical talents have proven to be very popular in recent years, while Caroline Clemmow returns after much acclaim in 2010. As a chamber musician, she was a founder member of the Hartley Piano Trio, which gained international recognition by its concerts, broadcasts and recordings on the Naxos label.
Su-a-Lee is expected to get a warm welcome when she visits Bofeenaun for the first time. She is a founder member of the group Mr McFall’s Chamber, which was formed to present classical music in imaginative ways. The group include a wide range of performers from different traditions, playing diverse repertoires from cartoon classics through progressive rock, jazz and tango nuevo.

The 2011 Mayo Classical Concerts in Bofeenaun take place on Saturday, July 16, and Monday, July 18, starting at 8pm. There will also be a cheese and wine reception. For further information or to book tickets (€20 each), contact Thomas Rowland at Bofeenaun Post Office on 096 51006.