“In Widmann’s hands the Hebrides Overture by Felix Mendelssohn turned into an extremely atmospheric painting of sounds. The broadly played cello line made the beginning exceedingly melancholic, and in contrast the faster part had enormous fire. A lot of liveliness was achieved through big tempo contrasts in Mendelssohn’s Third Symphony, a truly great rendition played brilliantly by the Irish Chamber Orchestra.”

“The Bruch Concerto is seldom performed in concert. It offers a lot of space for virtuosity and, at the same time, lovingly quotes folk tunes. In their interpretation both Jörg Widmann and Tabea Zimmermann became one heart and one soul, never losing sight of each other. Even without a conductor the orchestra’s accompaniment was flawless”  – Kölnische Rundschau and the Bonner Generalanzeiger 

“The concert full of splendid music under leader Katherine Hunka, benefited from an eclectic approach….overall a stimulating and thought-provoking concert”. – Dick O Riordan Sunday Business Post

“Dressed in their smart new outfits, dark suits,gold ties and elegant long gowns, the ICO is not only Ireland’s most polished cultural export but also the best dressed to boot” – Cathy Desmond, The Examiner

 “At one with Widmann’s direction, ICO’s support is elegant and trenchant” – Pat O Kelly, Irish Independent

 “…with strings pungent and energetic, ICO’s woodwind is playful and effervescent” – Pat O Kelly, Irish Independent

“Widmann and his players brought to it the same kind of sensitive brio that they showed throughout the evening.” – Michael Dervan, Irish Times

“The programme itself was rock-solid: sacred settings of Pergolesi, Mozart and Schubert, two movements from Haydn’s Seven Last Words, and Schubert’s Death and the Maiden Quartet arranged for strings. Soprano Ailish Tynan seemed at her beguiling best, and conductor Gábor Takács-Nagy approached the music with vitality and imagination” – Michael Dervan, Irish Times