Barry Douglas has recently returned from touring with the Brussels Philharmonic after three exciting concerts in Brussels, London and Dublin.

The latter was especially significant as it was an Irish debut for the Brussels Philharmonic. Few would have been better suited than Barry to join them on stage in the National Concert Hall, Dublin for a performance of Schumann’s Piano Concerto in a minor, Op.54.

As the only Piano Concerto written by Schumann, the work is brimming with romance, and despite its popularity now, took over eight years to eventually reach its premiere. Barry’s performance ‘… dramatic and big-boned, and unpredictable in the best possible way…’  reflected Schumann’s wishes for the piece, which he described in a letter to Clara as ‘a compromise between a symphony, a concerto and a huge sonata.’ (Irish Times)

Just a few nights before, Barry performed the same concerto in London’s Cadogan Hall to an equally warm reception: ‘Douglas phrased the Intermezzo with poetry and there was punch in the Allegro vivace finale, along with a few wistful rubatos.’ The concerto undoubtedly displays the multiple aspects of Schumann’s personality which did not go unnoticed in Douglas’s performances. (BachTrack)

Barry will now travel to Russia to perform at The Platonov Arts Festival in a varied programme, consisting of works by Beethoven, Schubert, Berg and the British composer Britten.