Weaving Poetry, Piano and Film

Featuring poet James E. Kenward and concert pianist Bota Zakir

The Munich-based duo’s first Irish performance will take place at

St Caimin’s Catholic Church, Mountshannon

Friday November 24 at 8pm

€15

The audience will be mesmerised by the energy of Kenward, backed by the mastery of Zakir playing Chopin, Debussy, Rachmaninov and more They will also be treated to OFFICIAL PREVIEWS of the film DARK by multi-award-winning director Jane Glennie, and the film KEY starring T.S. Eliot award-winner Joelle Taylor, with cinematography by Cannes Golden Lion winner Jacob Proud.

KEY will premiere in 2024 at the Southbank Centre in London, so to catch this OFFICIAL PREVIEW in Mountshannon is an opportunity not to be missed.

James E. Kenward…

has written and performed for many years on the London stage, and has built and performed stories and lyric-based poetry for Sony Comedy Award-nominated BBC productions. His voice features regularly on #1 ranking drama productions on Audible. Before mixing contemporary and classical in his poetic storytelling, James worked his magic in a very different world, featuring as a club MC internationally, performing with the likes of Congo Natty, Nicky Blackmarket and Pav4n from legendary group Foreign Beggars.

James is delighted to be creating concerts with classical pianist Bota Zakir, combining live poetry and piano with film in a unique way.

Bota Zakir…

graduated from the prestigious Munich Conservatory of Music and Performing Arts at the age of 21. This virtuoso pianist of Kazahk-Uighur heritage has since graced the international stages, gaining a reputation not only for her renditions of classical masterpieces but also her ability to combine these works with original composition and contemporary flair. Her work is rooted in the finest classical lineage, whilst daring to integrate a zest for new creation in a changing world.

Films in James and Bota's current concert programme include collaborations with multi-award-winning director Jane Glennie, Cannes Golden Lion winner Jacob Proud, and T.S. Eliot winner Joelle Taylor. The films interweave with live poetry and piano pieces by Chopin, Debussy, Rachmaninov and more.

During their concerts at St Caimin's Church compositions will be played in synchronisation with a number of films, including an Offical Previews of the film 'Dark' by multi-award winning director Jane Glennie, and and Official Preview of the film Key, with cinematography by Cannes Golden Lion winner Jacob Proud, and starring T.S.Eliot award winner Joelle Taylor.

Programme (subject to amendment)

A. Scriabin: Op. 11, Nr. 8, with poem 'Ecstasy'

F. Chopin: Nocturne Op. 9, Nr. 1, with poem 'Hold You'

S. Rachmaninov: Op. 16, Nr. 1, with poem 'Key'

I. Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring, new transcription of opening section for Piano, with poem 'Dark'

A. Scriabin: Op. 11, Nr. 1-3

F. Say: Black Earth

E. Satie: Gnossiene Nr. 1, B. Zakir und J. E. Kenward: Fall & S. Rachmaninov: Op.16 Nr.4 with poem 'Borne'

C. Debussy: Claire de Lune, begleitet mit dem Gedicht 'A Body'