It was absolutely Baltic outside but inside the walls of St Peter’s Church of Ireland last Friday November 10, The Kahlo Piano Quartet – comprising four of Europe’s most accomplished and in-demand musicians – gave one of the hottest performances of the Drogheda Classical Music series this year! 

Led by one of Ireland’s brightest young, virtuoso violinists David Tobin, the award-winning Kahlo Piano Quartet, who were recently awarded the Gold Medal at the Vienna International Music competition, performed a programme of French and German Romanticism that left the audience breathless. 

Before the Kahlo Quartet took to the stage, Drogheda Classical Music’s Artistic Administrator Dr Gavan Ring spoke to David Tobin in a wide-ranging pre-concert talk where they covered David’s career as one of Europe’s most exciting violinists, the evening’s programme and, most interestingly, David’s stint as a centre-half for both Shelbourne FC and the Republic of Ireland as a schoolboy! We were even regaled with a few stories of some tough clashes he had with Drogheda United when playing for Shelbourne! 

The quartet’s exciting programme began with a tremendous performance of a lesser-known work by one of the great French romantics; Ernest Chausson and his Piano Quartet in A major.

After the interval the audience were treated to a wonderfully sensitive interpretation of Lil Boulanger’s D’un matin de printemps or ‘Of a spring morning’ followed by a resounding display of passion and virtuosity in a triumphant finale performance of Brahms’ Piano Quintet No. 3 in C minor. After much clamour from the audience for an encore, the Kahlo Piano Quartet then produced an exquisite performance of Richard Strauss’ Liebesliedchen. 

The Drogheda Classical Music series continues on 8 December welcoming three of Ireland's leading international musicians. Celebrated Clarinettists John Finucane and Jessie Grimes come together with acclaimed pianist Finghin Collins for a sumptuous concert of duos and trios including Schumann’s collection of fantasies which are full of humour, emotional intensity and not least, pianistic elegance.

Tickets for John Finucane, Jessie Grimes and Finghin Collins are €20 (€18 conc.) and are available to purchase over the phone by calling 041 9833946 or in person at the Droichead Arts Centre or by visiting www.droghedaclassicalmusic.com/december    

There is also an under-18s ticket rate of €5 and a student rate of €10 (valid student ID essential) which can be purchased at St Peters Church of Ireland on the evening of performances, subject to availability.