The Four Seasons Chamber Music Series: Clair de Lune

Thérèse Fahy plays Mélanie Bonis, Debussy, and Ravel

Thérèse Fahy, piano
Lynda O’Connor, violin
Martin Johnson, cello

Mélanie Bonis, Femmes de Légende
1. Mélisande
4. Viviane
3. Ophélie

Maurice Ravel, Sonata for violin and ‘cello
Claude Debussy, Reflets dans l’eau (from Images Book 1)
Claude Debussy, Clair de Lune (from Suite Bergamasque)
Maurice Ravel, Piano Trio in A minor

Four Seasons Chamber Music Series: inviting audiences on a journey through the seasons, with music exploring themes of light and shadow, water and ice, and the passing of time.

This week, three of Ireland’s foremost chamber musicians, Thérèse Fahy (piano), Lynda O’Connor (violin), and Martin Johnson (cello), bring us on a French impressionist journey through the music of Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, and Mélanie Bonis.

A programme of reflection, the concert explores nature’s many echoes and colours with Debussy’s ‘Reflets dans l’Eau’ and ‘Clair de Lune’. We also hear Ravel reflect on Debussy himself, through his melodic Sonata for Violin and Cello - a piece which began as a tribute to the late composer. Fahy then invites the audience to reflect on legendary women of history and mythology, with three movements from Mélanie Bonis’ emotive ‘Femmes de Légends’ for solo piano. Finishing with Ravel’s Piano Trio in A minor, we are transported on a meditative journey of light and shade, colourful imagery, and lyrical expression that is characteristic of the French Impressionist movement in the early 20th century.

The Artists

Renowned Irish pianist, Thérèse Fahy, enjoys an active performing and teaching career at home and abroad. Her regular recital and concerto appearances throughout Europe and the United States have met with critical acclaim, as have her numerous broadcasts for both RTÉ and BBC. As the only Irish pianist to specialise in the performance of French music, Thérèse has internationally toured Debussy’s complete works for solo piano, and her performances of Messiaen’s works have been described by The Irish Times as a “tour de force”. In 2018, as well as bringing her Festival, ‘Irelandˋs Tombeau to Debussy’, to Dublin and Paris, Thérèse was honoured to perform a solo recital at Debussy’s birthplace on the exact centenary date of his death. For her service to French culture, the French Government has bestowed on Thérèse Fahy the award of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres.

She is joined today by fellow members of the Royal Irish Academy of Music teaching staff, violinist Lynda O’Connor, and cellist, Martin Johnson.

Lynda O’Connor is a highly celebrated Irish solo violinist, chamber musician and orchestra leader. Her soloist career has included many memorable performances including Mozart Sinfonie Concertante with Nobuko Imai and Bach Double Violin Concerto with Chee Yun Kim alongside Camerata Ireland. As a chamber musician, Lynda has collaborated with a dazzling array of artists including Barry Douglas, John O Connor, Michael McHale, Finghin Collins, Alessio Bax, Celine Byrne, Fionnuala Hunt and members of the Vanbrugh string quartet. Lynda is a full time/founding member of several chamber ensembles including Ficino chamber ensemble, classical/traditional crossover group, Trio Elatha, and string ensemble, Anamus.

Martin Johnson studied Cello at the Royal College of Music, London under the direction of legendary Pablo Casals student Anna Shuttleworth and Andrew Shulman. In 2000, he joined the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra and was their Section Leader for more than two decades. Martin is a regular Guest Principal with the major orchestras in Ireland and the UK, as well as a devoted chamber musician. In the summer of 2025 Martin was appointed to the post of Solo Cellist for the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. In 2026, he performs a newly commissioned Cello Concerto by the Northern Irish Composer Anselm McDonnell (LSO Composer in Residence).

Presented by NCH