Music in Fermanagh is beginning its 2023 series with a different form of musical event but one which will be both interesting, entertaining and, most importantly, enjoyable.

On Thursday, February 2 at 8pm in the Ardhowen Theatre, Richard Pierce – Chair of Music in Fermanagh – and international pianist Ashley Wass will join forces to present a lecture/recital, ‘Harmonious Discord’.

Richard, since his retirement as an architect, has been bringing enjoyment to Fermanagh audiences with his good-humoured, colourfully-illustrated talks on all the arts.

The evening will be an entertaining one, telling the tale of Richard’s exposure since his childhood in Enniskillen, and student years in Edinburgh, and his experience of international architectural practice in Pennsylvania, to music which has widened his horizons.

The tales of his discoveries are often amusing but always celebrate personal growth, running parallel with a common interest in the visual arts and literature so that we can all form a perspective on the civilisation in which we live.

Some of the music which will be presented was written for the movies.

People only have to think of the screaming strings in the shower scene of ‘Psycho’, or the low, threatening throbs signifying the danger of the great white shark in ‘Jaws’, to be reminded that we listen to discordant music to invoke all sorts of emotions, often unwittingly.

Ashley Wass, who has already thrilled Ardhowen audiences with his musical interpretations, will respond with relevant pianistic fireworks, playing Twentieth Century musical milestones including works by Messiaen, Prokofiev, Stravinsky and Shostakovich.

Ashley is currently Director of Music at the famous Yehudi Menuhin School in Surrey.

The evening will be a light-hearted combination of stories from Richard and superb playing from Ashley.

Tickets for what is sure to be a very memorable evening are available now from www.ardhowen.com; telephone 028 6632 5440.

The evening is being presented by Music in Fermanagh, a registered charity, with the support of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.