Kilkenny violinist Patrick Rafter set for California return as soloist and conductor

Kilkenny violinist Patrick Rafter is set for a new chapter in his international career following a successful series of orchestral performances in the United States, with an invitation to return to California next summer as both violin soloist and conductor.

The internationally-acclaimed musician recently completed a three-city American tour with the Vienna Royal Orchestra, performing Mozart's Violin Concerto No 4 in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.

Among the tour's engagements were appearances at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, home of the San Francisco Symphony, and Jacobs Music Center in San Diego, home of the San Diego Symphony.

The concerts mark a further step in Rafter's career, which has encompassed performances across Europe and the United States, recordings with leading orchestras and a growing portfolio of conducting engagements.

Following the October tour, Rafter received an invitation to return in June 2027 for three further concerts, including his first appearance at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the celebrated home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

The planned American engagements will take place at Jacobs Music Center, San Diego, on June 11; Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, on June 13; and Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, on June 16.

Rafter is expected to take on both solo and conducting responsibilities, performing Beethoven's Violin Concerto and conducting Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 5, widely known as the Emperor Concerto. The dual appointment reflects an important development in the Kilkenny musician's artistic direction, as he continues to establish himself not only as a concert violinist but also as an orchestral conductor.

"Over the past number of years, conducting has become an increasingly important part of my musical life," Rafter said.

"My background as a violinist has given me an invaluable understanding of orchestral playing, and the opportunity to develop both disciplines alongside one another is something I find enormously rewarding.

"To receive an invitation to return to California with these additional artistic responsibilities is a very encouraging development. I am particularly looking forward to performing at Walt Disney Concert Hall, which is an extraordinary venue."

A developing career

A former student of the Royal Irish Academy of Music and a protégé of internationally celebrated violinist Maxim Vengerov, Rafter has built a career combining concerto appearances, chamber music, recordings and orchestral leadership.

His performances have taken him to renowned venues including London's Royal Albert Hall, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and the Konzerthaus in Berlin.

Rafter is also a recording artist with the London-based Rubicon Classics label. His recent recording projects have included collaborations with pianist Fiachra Garvey and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, further expanding his recorded repertoire.

His engagements include performances with the Ulster Orchestra in February 2027, while further European and American appearances are planned throughout the year.

Alongside this schedule, Rafter is developing The Alchemist, an ambitious solo violin project bringing together major works by Bach, Biber, Prokofiev, Ysaÿe and Paganini, with an international concert tour and recording planned.

The range of projects reflects an artist increasingly working across several disciplines, from the traditional concerto repertoire to solo performance, chamber music and conducting.

Rafter continues to play an active role in the musical and cultural life of his native Kilkenny.

He founded the Marble City Music Festival in 2023 with the aim of establishing a distinctive classical music festival that would attract leading Irish and international performers to the city. In its opening seasons, the festival has presented concerts featuring the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Luminosa Orchestra and a range of distinguished soloists and chamber musicians.

For Rafter, the festival is not simply an extension of his performing career, but part of a longer-term ambition to strengthen Kilkenny's position within Ireland's classical music landscape.

"Kilkenny has a very strong musical tradition, and I have always felt that there is an opportunity to build something of genuine national and international standing here," he said.

"The festival is about creating opportunities for audiences to hear outstanding musicians in Kilkenny, while also establishing relationships with artists and ensembles internationally.

"My own career takes me abroad for much of the year, but I am equally committed to contributing to the cultural life of the city where I grew up."

American colleagues reunite for Kilkenny recital

Rafter's next Kilkenny appearance will take place on Thursday, December 3, when he is joined by internationally renowned pianist Tian Jiang at St John's Priory for a recital entitled Virtuosity and Romance.

The musicians recently performed together during Rafter's California tour, and their Kilkenny concert will bring that artistic collaboration to an Irish audience.

The programme features music by Paganini, Chopin, Scriabin and Ysaÿe, alongside Tartini's technically demanding Devil's Trill Sonata, a cornerstone of the virtuoso violin repertoire. The December recital will form part of the Marble City Music Festival's winter programme, which also includes Christmas at the Movies on December 4 and a New Year's Eve Gala on December 31.

The Christmas concert will feature soprano Megan Walsh, the Tara String Quartet and percussionist Rónán Scarlett, while the New Year's Eve celebration will bring together the ConTempo String Quartet, soprano Laura Ahearne and Kilkenny musicians Paddy and Maura Rafter.

With an increasingly substantial international calendar ahead, Rafter believes that the continued development of classical music in Kilkenny can complement the opportunities emerging abroad.

"International performances and recordings are enormously important to me, but there is also something very rewarding about building an artistic legacy in your own hometown.

"If we can continue to attract exceptional performers to Kilkenny and encourage more people to experience live classical music, then I think that is something of lasting value."

Upcoming Marble City Music Festival concerts

Thursday, December 3 — Virtuosity and Romance

Patrick Rafter & Tian Jiang

St John's Priory, Kilkenny | 8pm

Friday, December 4 — Christmas at the Movies

St Canice's RC Church, Kilkenny | 8pm

Thursday, December 31 — New Year's Eve Gala

St Canice's RC Church, Kilkenny | 8pm

Tickets and further information are available through the Marble City Music Festival - see marblecitymusicfestival.com.