Barra Ó Séaghdha

Barra Ó Séaghdha is a writer on cultural politics, literature and music.

CD Reviews: Lorcán Mac Mathúna
Rógaire DubhIn the short time that I have had Lorcán Mac Mathúna’s CD in my possession, my feelings towards it have already gone through a number of phases. As they may shift again, what follows may be more an update on a process...
Spiegeltent, Dublin Fringe Festival / 19 September 2007
NCH, Dublin/4 Dame Lane, Dublin / 28 September 2007
New Theatre, Temple Bar, Dublin / 29 July 2007
Barra Ó Séaghdha, Dublin, writes:
A review of the inaugural TRADITION:DL, the Dún Laoghaire Festival of Traditional Music
Barra Ó Séaghdha finds much to debate in a recent work on music and Irish identity.
A review of the recent RTÉ Living Music Festival which focused on jazz and the music of American composer John Adams.
The Encyclopaedia of Music in Ireland
The very first Encyclopaedia of Music in Ireland, the most comprehensive publication on music ever to have been undertaken in Ireland, is currently in preparation and scheduled to be published in 2010. Including over 2,500 articles reflecting Ireland’s musical culture, it will be the standard work of reference on musical life in Ireland for many years to come. But, writes Barra Ó Séaghdha, given the controversial views on Irish musical culture of one of the two principal editors, and the lack of debate surrounding them, what form will the encyclopaedia’s coverage of classical and contemporary Irish music take?
J.J. Smyth’s, Dublin 2 / 1 November 2006
Sean Carpio, Simon Jermyn and Joachim BadenhorstSean Carpio’s front room14 September 2006It was the first evening of three on which drummer Sean Carpio and a varying selection of musical accomplices were due to play in his flat as part of the Drama Festival...
Barra Ó Séaghdha, Dublin 7, writes:
Sparked by a recent book on musical life in America over the past two centuries – Joseph Horowitz’ Classical Music in America: A History of its Rise and Fall – Barra Ó Séaghdha considers the classical music experiences of the US and Britain – and what Ireland can learn from them.
ESB Beo Celtic Music Festival, NCH, Dublin / 5 August 2006
(chaturangi – 22-string guitar) / Farmleigh Salon Series (programmed by Improvised Music Company), Farmleigh, Castleknock, Dublin, 17 July 2006
Recent work by Cork guitarist Mark O'Leary.
Emigration and exile: songs from Palestine and their relevance to Celtic Tiger Ireland.
The Bray Jazz Festival 2006.
Various venues, Dublin / 31 March-1 April 2006
Bank of Ireland Arts Centre, Dublin / 3-4 March 2006
NCH, Dublin, 31 January 2006 / Andrew Hamilton – Map; Volans – Cello Concerto; Stravinsky – Four Études for Orchestra; Volans – Strip-weave / RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra / Gavriel Lipkind, cello; Robert Houlihan, conductor
The Festival de Jazz et de Free Music in Mulhouse, France.
Various venues, Temple Bar, Dublin / 26-29 January 2006
Vicar Street, Dublin, 24 November 2005
Composers' Choice 2005.
Dear EditorGiven that I had been quite critical of his programming, it is entirely understandable that Kevin O’Connell should be annoyed with my review of the 2005 RTÉ Living Music Festival. Henze’s work featured above that of any other...
Music, Ideas and History
Barra Ó Séaghdha reviews The Progress of Music in Ireland, a wide-ranging new book of essays by Harry White on the relationship between music, cultural history and musicology in Ireland.