Featuring David Syme, Pianist
Ahabeg Waterfall Road, Rossmacowen
(West Cork, between Castletownbere and Adrigole)
Look for our sign on the coastal road.
Sundays at 3:00 P.M. Music and Dessert
Events last two hours. Admission is 20 Euros per person. Reservations required, online at SymePiano@aol.com or by telephone at 027 71070.
Jan 8, 2012
Jan 15, 2012
Jan 22, 2012
Jan 29, 2012
Feb 5, 2012
Feb 12, 2012
Feb 19, 2012
As printed in The Bantry Grapevine, County Cork, Ireland, August 1, 2008
Ahabeg Vista Concert Series With Pianist David Syme
Drive along the coastal road between Castletownbere and Adrigole and you will see a sign with a grand piano logo and a chalk board advertising the date of the “next recital”.
David Syme, internationally-renowned American concert pianist, makes his living playing throughout the U.S. and Europe, but lives in Ireland 5 months out of the year.
He plays as soloist with symphonies and does piano recitals in major concert halls in many foreign lands, but presents about 15 programs per year in his home on the Ahabeg Waterfall Road. They are held on selected Friday nights and Sunday afternoons mainly during the summer months, with scattered dates in winter and spring.
Repertoire consists mainly of the great classics by Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff and others. A typical program will feature a large-scale piece on the first half, after which refreshments are served during a social interlude. The second half is lighter, with short works and even some requests from the audience, which includes music lovers from young children to octogenarians. Requests are wideranging from classical to popular numbers, since Syme is known to be eclectic with a remarkable gift of recall. Guests have a rare insight into the musicmaking process as they are regaled with stories from David’s long and colorful career.
- A recent visitor to Ahabeg Vista was
world-famous singer-songwriter
Christy Moore (pictured with David)
Syme needs and loves to play and share his art with people wherever he is. He practices and prepares for the coming season every summer in Ireland, and brings his music to an eager following. He is very grateful for this opportunity to invite people into his “workshop”, where they hear the same programs that he will soon play in venues such as New York’s Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.
Suzanne and David Syme open their West Cork oceanview house to the public in and around the town of Castletownbere, but insist on reservations by phone or e-mail. Some people drive for several hours to hear David play. If you ask what is the attraction, they will say that it is David’s thrilling piano playing combined with a humility and generosity of spirit.
Dig deeper and they will admit to a fondness for Suzanne’s baking, a highlight of every such event. Suzanne, holder of a doctorate in religious studies and a published author, partners with David to create an environment that puts everyone at ease. These are truly joyous and memorable events.
For reservations and enquiries: 027 71070 or www.symepiano.com
David Syme Performs For Legendary Irish Actress Maureen O'Hara
- David Performing for Maureen O'Hara
Recently, David Syme performed a private concert for legendary Irish actress Maureen O'Hara at Ahabeg Vista in Ireland. Afterwards, in a signed photo presented to Mr. Syme following the performance, O'Hara wrote "Thank you for your wonderful concert. It made my birthday."
- Maureen O'Hara Signed Photo Presented to David Syme
Past Performances
Summer, 2011 Series A:
June 12
June 19
June 26
July 3
July 10
July 17
Summer, 2011 Series B:
July 31
August 7
August 14
August 21
August 28
August 8, 2010 - Bach-Busoni: Chaconne
Beethoven: Sonata in C Major opus 53 ("Waldstein")
August 15, 2010 - Beethoven: Sonata in F Minor opus 57 (Appassionata")
Chopin: Barcarolle in F Sharp Major; Six Etudes opus 25
August 22, 2010 - Beethoven: Sonata in E Major opus 109
Chopin: 4 Ballades
August 29, 2010 - Prokofiev: Sonata No. 7; Works by Ravel and Rachmaninoff
September 5, 2010 - (preview of Syme 2010 European recital tour)
- Haydn: Sonata in D Major
- O'Carolan: 3 pieces (arr. Syme)
- Schumann: Arabesque
- Chopin: Ballade in F Major opus 38; 2 Mazurkas; Ballade in F Minor opus 52
- Irish Fiddle Music (traditional; arr. Syme)
- Gershwin: Selections
- Romanza (anonymous......arr. Syme)
- Lowell Liebermann: Nocturne No. 1 (dedicated to David Syme)
- Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody #13
Sunday, June 20, 2010, 3:00 PM
Features Beethoven Sonata Pathetique opus 13
Sunday, June 27, 2010, 3:00 PM
Features Gershwin Rhapsody In Blue, Gottschalk L'Union, Chopin Scherzo in B Minor
THIS PROGRAM RECORDED AND HOSTED IN PERSON BY RENOWNED AUTHOR DEIRDRE
PURCELL, WHO WILL BROADCAST IT ON RTE LYRIC FM ON JULY 4
Sunday, July 4, 2010, 3:00 PM
Features Chopin Sonata in B-Flat Minor opus 35
Sunday, July 11, 2010, 3:00 PM
Features Schubert Sonata in D Major opus 53
Sunday, July 18, 2010, 3:00 PM
Features Schumann Carnaval opus 9
Sunday, July 25, 2010, 3:00 PM
Features Liszt Sonata in B Minor