• Peter Whelan champions the music of Matthew Dubourg in his recording debut as Artistic Director of the Irish Baroque Orchestra.

• Dubourg, a pupil of Francesco Geminiani, was a charismatic virtuoso and composer who Whelan believes deserves to be acknowledged as one of Ireland’s most influential musicians.

• With many of his compositions having only recently come to light, most are presented here for the very first time including the world premiere of the ode ‘Crowned with a more illustrious light’.

• The eclectic programme showcases a composer whose music is shot through with humanity, charm, virtuosity and wit.

• The works includes arrangements of Irish traditional melodies, music written for royal celebrations and virtuosic violin solos in the fashionable Italian style.

• A Corelli violin sonata and a violin concerto by Vivaldi paint a picture of the musical landscape in which Dubourg’s creativity flourished.

• This recording is an exciting rediscovery of long forgotten, but truly wonderful, music from Ireland’s past.