BIAF - DARRAGH MORGAN & RUTH MCGINLEY

Making their first outing as a duo, two of Northern Ireland’s favourite classical artists mark the start of this year’s Northern Lights Mini-Fest.

Derry-born Ruth McGinley quickly became a young star of classical music when she won the piano final of the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition in 1994. She has performed as a soloist with the BBC Philharmonic, the National Symphony Orchestra, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and the Ulster Orchestra. Her long-awaited debut album Reconnection was released in 2016 to critical acclaim.

Irish violinist Darragh Morgan is known for his impeccable technique and versatile ability to perform music from baroque to contemporary styles. He frequently performs and records solo and concerto repertoire including world premieres and works dedicated to him by leading composers such as Arvo Pärt and Sir John Tavener.

Their Mini-Fest programme has a strong Irish connection, with folk song arrangements, a beautifully lyrical sonata by Moeran (English-born but of Irish descent), and a new work by local composer Deirdre McKay. The programme finishes with one of the most popular of all violin showpieces, the electrifying Franck sonata.