Renowned composer Jörg Widmann receives honorary doctorate from University of Limerick

University of Limerick was alive with music this Friday as one of the world’s most prolific composers received an honorary doctorate.

Professor Jörg Widmann, world renowned composer, clarinettist, and former principal conductor of the Irish Chamber Orchestra (ICO), was conferred by UL President Professor Kerstin Mey in a ceremony at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance.

He received the honour due to the “extraordinary contribution” he made during his time as principal conductor of the ICO, which is resident at the Irish World Academy in UL.

An acclaimed soloist and conductor, he is one of the world’s most frequently performed living composers.

The ceremony also featured the presentation of the inaugural ICO scholarships to two students of the MA in Classical String Performance programme.

Professor Mey said: “The partnership between and the Irish World Academy and ICO represents the oldest and longest artistic residency in the Academy and has been at the heart of the development of performing arts education at UL."

Jörg Widmann signed off as Principal Conductor of Irish Chamber Orchestra after a decade long tenure last year.

Professor Widmann said it was “really a great honour for me to receive this honorary doctorate from the University of Limerick, because I of course had a long connection with Ireland in general and with Limerick and the University in particular because I had the privilege to work for a long time together with the wonderful Irish Chamber Orchestra."

ICO Chief Executive Gerard Keenan said Widmann’s “exceptional artistic achievements on the international stage and his outstanding service to the University of Limerick make him an exceptionally worthy candidate for the award of honorary doctorate."