Madam, - In your November 30th edition, the Irish Times'sdistinguished critic Michael Dervan reviewed the Camerata Ireland/Barry Douglas concert at the National Concert Hall on November 28th. His comments were accurate but perhaps lacked a little context.
I understand that critics have to operate in "clinical" mode, so I could not divine whether or not he enjoyed the concert. The rolling waves of applause suggested that the 1,000-plus people in the audience had a wonderful evening. Our joint patron, President McAleese, was with us - as was Edwin Poots, the Northern Ireland Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, signalling the orchestra's commitment to engaging the very best young musicians from all over the island.
President McAleese presented the Camerata Ireland/Accenture Young Musician of the Year award to Brian O'Kane, a young Cork cellist. He and the orchestra treated us to a movement from the Haydn cello concerto in C. The Irish Timesreview records that the concert overran "by some 40 minutes". There were three additional items: the Presidential salute, Barry Douglas's Brahms encore (he had four "curtain calls") and Brian O'Kane's Haydn. I think the overwhelming majority thought an extra 25 to 30 minutes of lovely music was a bonus.
Barry Douglas and Camerata Ireland represent Ireland around the world. We are determined to be among the world's best. We must listen to knowledgeable critics. Michael Dervan is certainly so qualified. We need many more people - especially young people - to visit our concert halls. We need sponsors to be enthused. Full houses of happy people create more opportunity for young musicians and - dare I say it? - even critics.
I hope that Brian O'Kane's scrapbook will include reviews of his debut at the National Concert Hall. It's a pity that he will have to find other sources to remind him of the buzz and enthusiasm of the evening. - Yours, etc,
TERRY NEILL, Chairman, Camerata Ireland, Brennanstown Road, Dublin 18.