Mount Carmel in Loughrea will play host to a very special evening of music on Wednesday, 27 August, as the Kandinsky Quartet continues its debut concert tour of Ireland. This performance in the uniquely intimate setting of Mount Carmel marks an exciting moment in the ensemble’s first tour of the country, following their participation at the Esker Festival 2025.
Founded in Vienna in 2020, the Kandinsky Quartet is rapidly establishing itself as one of the most compelling young string quartets in Europe. The ensemble brings together four musicians with distinct artistic voices, united by a shared commitment to exploring the vast colours and emotional depth of the string quartet repertoire. Their playing has been described as combining traditional chamber music mastery with a modern, dynamic energy, appealing to both seasoned classical listeners and new audiences alike.
From their home city of Vienna, long considered the beating heart of European chamber music, the quartet has already won acclaim for its artistry and innovation. Their performances are marked not only by technical excellence but also by a willingness to push boundaries, often introducing contemporary works and inventive concert formats alongside the great masterpieces of the repertoire.
Their international reputation has been strengthened by a string of prestigious awards. In April 2024, the Kandinsky Quartet took First Prize at the Gasteig Competition in Munich, a significant recognition on the European stage. They have also received prizes at the Boccherini Competition and the Mozart Competition, as well as the coveted Verbier Anniversary Prize, awarded at the world-renowned Verbier Festival. These accolades confirm the quartet’s growing stature as a force to be reckoned with in today’s chamber music world.
The Loughrea concert programme promises an evening of rich variety and emotional resonance. The quartet will open with a delightful divertimento by Mozart, a work that showcases the youthful charm and elegance of the composer. This will be followed by the world premiere of a new composition by Galway composer and founder of the Esker Festival, Peter Joyce.
The programme also includes a work by Pulitzer Prize-winning American composer Caroline Shaw, known for her inventive and lyrical approach to string writing, and concludes with Ravel’s luminous Quartet in F, one of the masterpieces of 20th-century chamber music.
"We're still basking in the afterglow of a truly wonderful performance by Martin Hayes at Mount Carmel. He remarked on a number of occasions about the beautiful acoustics here and how this very special room really enhances the sound of live string music. That's why we're genuinely excited to host the Kadinsky Quartet at Mount Carmel and we're very grateful to them and to Peter Joyce for including us in their debut tour of Ireland", said Ciaran Cannon, performance curator at Mount Carmel Concerts.
Tickets for the performance are available at www.mountcarmelconcerts.ie
