Degani Piano Trio

The Degani Piano Trio is made up of award-winning musicians: violinist Alan Smale, pianist Rachel Quinn and cellist Annette Cleary. Alongside recording work of composers such as Haydn, Dvorak, Chopin, Brahms and Piazzolla, they have innovatively collaborated with theatrical and visual artists in live concert settings.

Rachel Quinn has performed critically acclaimed concertos by composers such Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Cesar Franck, Prokofief,  and Liszt with Irish and International orchestras. A recording artist in her own right, Rachel has also spearheaded the Degani Piano Trio’s innovative collaborations with renowned theatrical and visual artists, Barry McGovern, Donna Anita Nikolaisen and Kim Sharkey.

Alan Smale is founder of The Degani Ensemble. For 20 years he was Leader of the RTE NSO. He is a great exponent of Irish contemporary music and has recorded concertos by Raymond Deane, Frank Corcoran, James Wilson and Jerome de Bromhead. Alan plays on a superb Venetian violin made by Eugenio Degani in 1896.

Annette Cleary has performed as soloist with the NSO and acted as jury member for International Competitions. Her tutors have included Coral Bognuda, Paul Tortelier, and Antonio Janigro. Annette was a prizewinner at the Barchet International Cello Competition. She currently teaches at the Royal Irish Academy of Music where she recently received her Doctorate

“The most complete and profoundly joyful music making. This performance has a blend of folksiness and high art sophistication that felt just right.” – The Irish Times