The RTE Concert Orchestra, under its principal conductor, Proinnsias O Duinn, gave characteristically lively performances of such lollipops as the "Three Dances" from Smetana's The Bartered Bride and the "Waltz of the Flowers" from Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker, at last Wednesday night's concert but it was inevitable that attention should focus on the three young Irish soloists. Orla Boylan (soprano) was at her golden voiced best in such popular items as "I Dream't I Dwelt" from Balfe's The Bohemian Girl and "Un bel di" from Puccini's Madama Butterfly. Twelve year old Ros Ni Dhubhain travelled from Rostrevor to sing The Last Rose of Summer and An Binchin Luachra in a pleasing and unaffected style.
The most ambitious solo work came from pianist Finghin Collins, who tackled an archetype of those concertos which cast the soloist as hero, Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto. Heroic he was in his technical proficiency and strong shaping; but doing justice to its textural subtlety requires more understanding and experience than most 19 year old pianists can muster.