29 August 2010: Eric Sweeney
Eric Sweeney is head of music at Waterford Institute of Technology and organist and choirmaster of Christ Church Cathedral, Waterford. He began organ lessons while still a choirboy at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin studying with the cathedral organist W. S. Greig. He later studied with Flor Peeters in Belgium and, with the aid of an Italian Government scholarship, with Fernando Germani in Rome. He has given recitals throughout Ireland both North and South as well as in England, Italy and America, and his programmes reflect a special interest in contemporary music. Well-known as a composer also, his Mass of St Patrick was recently commissioned by St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, and his cantata Niamh of the Golden Hair was played by the Prague Chamber Orchestra and Prague Chamber Choir last year.
Bach’s Toccata, Adagio and Fugue is paired with Ginastera’s Toccata, Villancico and Fugue for the first part of Eric Sweeney’s recital. The second part of the programme consists of an improvisation based on the work of sculptor and stonecutter Michael Biggs (1928–1993) who carved altars, fonts and other features for churches all over Ireland, including at St Michael’s in Dún Laoghaire.