National Concert Hall to host two tribute nights to Tipperary songwriter Brendan Graham

The National Concert Hall is delighted to present You Raise Me Up - a celebration of the music of one of Ireland’s greatest songwriters, Brendan Graham.

You Raise Me Up is undoubtedly Brendan's best-known work, with versions in over 60 languages, it was a global chart hit for Westlife and Josh Groban. Brendan also famously penned two Irish Eurovision-winning songs, Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids and The Voice. 

For this unique celebratory concert of Brendan’s work, a host of renowned artists will come together to perform his songs with the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by the masterly David Brophy.

Helmed by Musical Director Gavin Murphy, the cast includes Cathy Jordan, lauded solo singer and frontwoman of Dervish, revered chanteuse Camille O’Sullivan, the uniquely voiced multi-instrumentalist Seán Keane, internationally acclaimed tenor Anthony Kearns, singer Róisín O’Reilly known for her "tenderly introspective to utterly beautiful interpretations" (HMV Choice), along with pianist Feargal Murray, members of Dublin Gospel Choir, guest musicians Neil Martin, Denis Carey and more.  

The night would not be complete without Brendan’s Eurovision-winning songs so the concert features special performances of Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids by Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan and The Voice by Eimear Quinn. 

On the subject of the forthcoming concerts Brendan Graham says: "You write your songs in silence and solitude . . . and in hope that somehow, they might travel out from behind the half-door, where they are written. That they would travel to the stage of the National Concert Hall and be given flight by the National Symphony Orchestra and such a wonderfully diverse array of artistes . . . is almost beyond a hoped-for thing. I am most grateful."
 
Artists who have recorded or performed Brendan’s work include Aretha Franklin with Josh Groban, both Liam Neeson and Moya Brennan with The Chieftains, Hal Ketchum with Sandy Kelly, Elaine Paige, Secret Garden, Celtic Woman, Brian Kennedy, Dervish, Karen Matheson, Katherine Jenkins, Aled Jones, ANÚNA, Opera’s Sumi Jo and Daniel O’Donnell to name but a few. 

As well as the ‘hits’, and classics such as Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears, Winter, Fire & Snow, and Crucán na bPáiste, the concerts will feature world premiere performances of new material from Brendan. 

Recently Brendan has been back in the news as Josh Groban has announced a 20th anniversary deluxe edition of Closer which features a new extended version of You Raise Me Up.

In addition, Brendan has written the lyrics for legendary flamenco band The Gipsy Kings’ latest single Abandonado, taken from their album Renaissance. 

Brendan himself hosts this special evening celebrating the art of his songwriting.

The concerts take place on Saturday, January 20, and Sunday, January 21, at 8pm.

Tickets €37, €47.50, €55 (10% Discount for Friends of NCH and groups of 10 or more) from 01-4170000 or www.nch.ie