Visionary founder Dave Flynn has enlisted 20 of Ireland’s leading traditional, classical and jazz musicians to perform his critically acclaimed music. Dave Flynn’s Irish Memory Orchestra (formerly the Clare Memory Orchestra) is the first and only orchestra in the Western World to play exclusively from memory, crossing traditional boundaries between orchestras and audiences.

Achievements include sold-out performances at Moscow Catholic Cathedral and South Korea’s Sori International Festival; an Allianz Business to Arts Award for the ESB ‘Concert in a Cavern’; and a collaboration with Martin Hayes and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra at Ireland’s National Concert Hall.

This thrilling, uniquely Irish phenomenon has brought audiences to their feet at every concert they have played. This evening will be the debut performance in Britain of the Orchestra and will feature music from Dave Flynn’s Clare Concerto.

The Irish Times said of them: ‘Audiences seeing the Clare Memory Orchestra for the first time may be astounded at the informality and communication between the musicians. Feet tapping, vibrato is nowhere to be heard and the absence of sheet music means musicians connect with one another on the fly. Then there’s the appearance of Irish instruments such as the pipes, concertina, whistle and bodhrán, alongside the oboe and silver flute.’

This ‘Irish Night at Cadogan Hall’ is presented by IMDL (Irish Music and Dance in London) who have been promoting traditional Irish Arts in London for two decades. This evening’s concert will open with a short collaborative performance featuring a large number of the finest traditional Irish musicians and singers on the London Irish music scene. The night also serves as a fundraiser towards IMDLstaging their internationally renowned seven-day festival – Return to Camden Town – now in its 20th year and due to take place from 23–29 October 2018.

The Orchestra is very grateful to Culture Ireland GB18 and the Emigrant Support Programme for their funding towards hosting this evening’s concert.