Galway Music Residency’s latest series, Concerts for the Celtic Calendar, which began in early February, is continuing in March with a celebration of Ostar – the Spring equinox.

The ConTempo Quartet will perform a special Ostar programme next Tuesday, March 5, in Galway City and will reprise it in Headford on Sunday, March 24, as part of the Lunchtimes with ConTempo series.

They will play Mozart’s Quartet no. 14 in G major, K 387. This work, written in Vienna in 1782, was the first in a collection of six string quartets that Mozart dedicated to Joseph Haydn. It’s nicknamed ‘Spring’ because of its cheerful nature.

The programme also features Forever Begin by Galway composer Jane O’Leary, inspired by Brendan Kennelly’s iconic poem Begin.

It was third fanfare she wrote for ConTempo Quartet. “Normally a fanfare is associated with a brass ensemble and is an announcement of something important which is about to happen,” she explains. “There is a sense of excitement and anticipation, of hope and optimism– of new beginnings.”

Jane will read the poem Begin at both performances.

Next Tuesday’s concert in St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church starts at 1.10pm.  The Headford concert on March 24, will be at 4pm in St Fursa’s Hall. In conjunction with Headford Music Works, it will feature performances by local student ensembles.

Entry to both is free and open to all, with donations welcome. No booking required.