Wildwood was formed in 2022 by bass clarinettist, Deirdre O’Leary, and percussionist, Alex Petcu from their desire to create programmes of funky rhythms and wildly beautiful sounds, full of eccentricity and wit. Alex and Deirdre are well established fulltime, freelance musicians and have played together for many years in Crash Ensemble and other groups. They share a dynamic energy and a passion for innovative performances.
“…a very dynamic performance of a truly unique duo, full of energy & passion. They created some superb magical & mystical soundscapes.”
“What a wonderful concert! Extraordinary that just two musicians could cover such a wealth of human experience.”
Audience feedback
Presented By: Lundström Arts Management
Duration: 60mins. No Interval
Kindly Supported by Arts Council Ireland
Wildwood Lunchtime Programme – 2025
Unsquare Dance Dave Brubeck
Bass clarinet & percussion
Heaving Moss Barry O’Halpin
Bass clarinet, percussion & electronics
Enyato IV Ross Edwards
Bass clarinet and percussion
Coral Speak – Spel 1 Kate Moore
Solo vibraphone
And then not Susan Kander
Clarinet in Bb, E flat clarinet, bass clarinet, percussion, timpani
Alex Petcu: percussion, timpani, marimba, vibraphone
Deirdre O’Leary: clarinet in Bb, E flat clarinet, bass clarinet
Musician Biogs
Alex Petcu
An Irish musician of Romanian origin, Alex Petcu has quickly established himself both nationally and internationally as a percussionist of the finest calibre. His recent appearances as a soloist with both RTE orchestras and Irish Chamber Orchestra are some of his main highlights so far. An active freelance musician, Alex performs with a wide variety of ensembles and in a range of settings including the Crash and Hard Rain Ensembles, Bangers and Crash Percussion, the professional orchestras in Ireland, as a soloist at various festivals, as a theatre musician and much more. His debut album, “Alex Petcu: In Time” has recently been released on the RTE Lyric FM label.
Deirdre O’Leary
Clarinet and bass clarinettist, Deirdre O’Leary is best known for her energy on stage and her sensitivity as a chamber and orchestral musician. She was a member of Crash Ensemble from 2003 to 2022, touring internationally and recording. She was a founding member of Prey Trio, touring, commissioning, arranging and devising with them, and subsequently cofounded Cassiopeia Wind Quintet with whom she has played many international chamber music festivals and toured Ireland. She has also toured internationally and recorded with Berlin-based s t a r g a z e, and has performed, filmed and recorded two albums with the medieval jazz group Anakronos. She plays regularly with the Irish National Opera orchestra and is working on an ongoing project for the outreach dept. of the National Concert Hall.
