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Brian hits the right notes at music festival

By Linda McKee, The Belfast Telegraph, Wednesday, August 29, 2007 Cellist Brian O'Kane is still on a high after winning the Clandeboye Young Musician of the Year 2007 title. The Cork musician performed the first movement of Haydn's Concerto No 1 in C Major at the electric final gala night of the Clandeboye Festival, fresh from capturing the title the previous night. The young musician said he endured a nervous wait on Friday night after performing second out of the three semi-finalists. The announcement wasn't made until after the audience had dined following the concert. "It was a nerve-wrecking time. I couldn't believe it at first," Brian said. "I was very excited and really honoured to be acknowledged as the winner of such a great competition." Brian says the Clandeboye title - along with the masterclasses with world-class musicians that are offered to 10 young competitors each year - is now one of the best 'breaks' for young musicians trying to make it in Ireland. The winner of the competition usually gets to play a number of concerts with chamber orchestra Camerata Ireland throughout the year after the festival. "For Irish musicians it's extremely important - it's an opportunity to study with some great musicians," he said. "It's a break to give concerts with Camerata Ireland and work with Barry Douglas - it's a terrific opportunity. "There isn't another competition like that in the whole of Ireland since RTE abandoned the Young Musician of the Year competition a number of years ago." Brian said he took up the cello at the age of eight, studying at Cork School of Music, and has just graduated from Royal Academy of Music in London. He has played regularly with the English Chamber Orchestra, the Irish Chamber Orchestra and is a member of the London Steve Reich Ensemble.

 

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