Ailbhe McDonagh

Ailbhe McDonagh has earned international recognition as both a soloist and chamber musician. According to Fanfare Magazine, “she plays with flawless technique, faultless intonation, and a strong yet meltingly sweet tone”. Ailbhe has performed at many prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, the Yale Norfolk Festival, and the Schleswig Holstein Music Festival.  As an accomplished chamber musician, Ailbhe collaborates with the acclaimed pianist John O’Conor, with her sister Orla McDonagh, and with violinist Lynda O’Connor. She is a member of the Ficino Ensemble and the traditional Irish music crossover group Trio Elatha. In addition to her performance career, Ailbhe is an established composer. 

The six Cello Suites are suites for unaccompanied cello. As usual in a Baroque musical suite, after the prelude which begins each suite, all the other movements are based around baroque dance types. Gary S. Dalkin of MusicWeb International called Bach’s Cello Suites “among the most profound of all classical music works”. They are considered some of Bach’s greatest musical achievements. 

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