MARJA GAYNOR

Cork-based Finn Marja Gaynor is a versatile and much in demand violin and viola player freelancing with leading Early Music groups in Ireland and Europe. A member of IBO since 2007, Marja is also the principal viola of Camerata Kilkenny, whose latest recording for Lyric FM includes her performance of Telemann’s ‘Gulliver Suite’ as a duo with Claire Duff, as well as her arrangements of O’Carolan tunes. Outside Ireland Marja has worked with Ensemble Marsyas, Dunedin Consort, The King’s Consort, Helsinki Baroque Orchestra and other leading European period orchestras. On modern violin she has recently performed with the Vanbrugh and with the Irish Chamber Orchestra, and in 'Quartet 2020' led by Katherine Hunka.

Apart from her career as a Baroque player, Marja is passionate about new music and has contributed to the Irish contemporary music scene by premiering numerous new works. She is also much sought after as an arranger, studio musician and collaborator in all genres. A landmark project was her critically acclaimed arrangement of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, which drew on various areas of her musical expertise: 17th century music, modern folk and traditional music, and improvisation. She also arranged and played the strings for ‘Falling Slowly’, Oscar winner for best song in 2008. Marja was Artistic Director of East Cork Early Music Festival from 2013 to 2015. She teaches Baroque violin, viola and chamber music in MTU Cork School of Music.