“The Navarras demonstrated focus and discipline in Shostakovich’s Piano Quintet with Hugh Tinney….. the expressive focus was both fine and pliable and Tinney was a tower of strength at the keyboard”.
 
“The festival’s line-up included violinists Jack Liebeck and Alexander Sitkovetsky, the former heard to good effect in a musicianly account of Beethoven’s Ghost Trio  with  cellist Guy Johnston and pianist Leon McCawley, the latter giving a beautifully scaled account of Bach’s Chaconne in D minor.  The two joined forces with effortless ease in a selection of Duos by Bartók, and gave an attractive performance of Kodály’s unusually scored, upbeat Serenade with viola player Jennifer Stumm.   Sitkovetsky, Brian O’Kane and Tinney joined forces effectively to probe the darkness of Ian Wilson’s First Last Words”.
 
“The Westport Festival has grown since I last attended it in 2015.  There are now six concerts over three days, and unless I’m mistaken, the town now has as many classical concerts concentrated into a single weekend as it used to be able to expect over a whole year.”
Michael Dervan, Irish Times  13th September 2017


An Embarrassment of Riches. That could be the title for this, our 5th festival in stunning Westport. We are very happy to welcome a string quartet for the first time since our inaugural festival. And joining them are 8 world-class musicians, a few of whom you have met before. 12 musicians based in Westport for almost a week. Because of this boost in artists, we added a Sunday morning concert, so, from our 'humble' beginnings in 2013, we now have six concerts over three days! The riches also extend to our three venues. Not many festivals can boast to have a Great Irish House, an acoustically designed town theatre, and the elegant surroundings of the Holy Trinity Church. Such variety of stage and the many wonderful artists will bring about some memorable music making, of that there is no doubt!

Catherine Leonard & Hugh Tinney

Artistic Directors