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THE LYRIC FEATURE

Peter Sweeney during 'Music in the Classroom' (1997) Image Name: Peter Sweeney during 'Music in the Classroom' (1997) Description: Peter Sweeney during 'Music in the Classroom' (1997)

Peter Sweeney, From Toccatas to Tutus

The late Peter Sweeney brought the art of the pipe organ recital down from the dusty organ gallery into full public view. He was a gifted musician and communicator with a wide range of interests from music to Freudian psychology and architecture to design. As one of the originators of the hugely successful RTÉ Music in the Classroom series he brought music to hundreds of thousands of children- going so far as to dressing up in costume – whether as a Muppet or a dying swan (hence the tutu in the title). Brian McIvor examines his life and legacy, with contributions from his brother Eric Sweeney, conductor Gearóid Grant, organ builder Derek Verso and organists, Mark Keane and Patrice Keegan.

The programme features extracts from a recording of a demonstration recital that Peter Sweeney hosted over 25 years ago in St. Paul’s Church, Glenageary, which shows him in full flight.

RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 3rd November, 6pm-7pm