REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT A RECEPTION TO MARK THE ALOYS FLEISCHMANN CENTENARY
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT A RECEPTION TO MARK THE CELEBRATIONS OF THE ALOYS FLEISCHMANN CENTENARY, CITY HALL CORK
Dia dhíbh go léir. Tá an-áthas orm bheith libh tráthnóna. It is good to be back in Cork at the start of this New Year and on such a happy occasion. My thanks to Lord Mayor Cllr. Dara Murphy for inviting me to share in today’s commemoration of the centenary of Aloys Fleischmann’s birth, a date that allows us to honour his legacy to this City, to Ireland and to music. Aloys Fleischmann lived in and through the most tumultuous of times, times that overwhelmed and sapped the strength of many but not of Aloys. As the son of German immigrants to Cork, he could so easily have been an outsider but it says something about his character and the character of Cork that he grew up a proud son of this city and a major contributor to its artistic life and culture. He was one of those fortunate human beings who was exceptionally talented and who used his talents exceptionally well. His passion for music saw him grow into a first rate teacher, researcher, composer and activist. He made of himself one of the most pivotal figures of Irish music in the 20th century, gracing us with an much admired and respected artistic legacy of overtures and song-cycles, ballets and choral works and a store of memories built from his deep abiding passion for the arts which he shared so generously over his lifetime. And the word generous is not used lightly for Aloys to all who encountered him was a man of kindness, good humour and goodness who loved to encourage others to share his love of music. So many organizations were either founded by him or he was instrumental in their development - organisations like Cork Symphony Orchestra; Cork Orchestral Society; Cork Ballet Company; The Irish National Ballet; Cork International Choral and Folk Dance Festival; Cumann Náisiúnta na gCór. How many people have benefitted from each one of those organisations which prospered thanks to his genius and his commitment? Today a large number are not only still active but they colour and shape the richly textured cultural life of Cork and the wider nation.
As we contemplate an Ireland made up of the children and children’s children of many emigrants to Ireland from diverse parts of the world, the story of Aloys should give us much to look forward to. Here was a man who loved the land of his birth and its language and heritage. He was a fluent Irish speaker whose inspiration drew also on the wells of his German ancestry and who, while fully European and at home anywhere that music was appreciated, was most at home in Cork, the city he loved above all others. He embodied and embodies still an Ireland that is open yet rooted, a country at once profoundly European yet uncompromisingly Irish, a place where metaphysics and music are as valued as important leavens in our intellectual life. Over the 46 years that he held the Professorship of Music in UCC Aloys loved nothing more than to help students to foster their imagination, their creativity and their artistic confidence. He urged them in turn to pass on to others that great gift of love of music that made his life so full and so fulfilling. Through the Rising, the Civil War, the growth of Fascism in Germany, two dreadful World Wars, and many episodes that shouted of the cruelty and caprice of humanity, Aloys Fleischmann never lost his love of life or his faith in humanity. He may have had no Irish blood flowing in his veins, but we have no difficulty in characterising him as a great human being and a great Irishman.
Long may his name and his legacy endure here in Cork and wherever two or more are gathered in the name of Irish music.
Thank you.