Toner Quinn is Editor of the Journal of Music. His new book, What Ireland Can Teach the World About Music, is available here. Toner will be giving a lecture exploring some of the ideas in the book on Saturday 11 May 2024 at 3pm at Farmleigh House in Dublin. For booking, visit https://bit.ly/3x2yCL8.
Toner Quinn
How can we ensure that we have the infrastructure to support all Irish music into the future? Why have we not achieved this already? In an essay written to mark the twentieth anniversary of the music and arts station RTÉ Lyric FM, Toner Quinn, Editor of the Journal of Music, asks the question: what is holding us back?
Composer, singer, violinist, pianist, Peter Broderick draws on many strands for his music, his work connecting with audiences across the world. Currently living in Galway, Broderick spoke to The Journal of Music about his compositions and lyrics, his musical background in Oregon and the impact of the internet on his career.
Behind Lankum's politically aware folk is a subtle mix of influences. After a major year for the band, and ahead of a European tour, Radie Peat and Daragh Lynch speak to The Journal of Music about the punk ethos, the importance of sessions and their evolving musical interests.
Young people are not waiting for action on climate change any more – they are taking action, and history shows that music is going to play a key role in their movement, writes Toner Quinn.
Toner Quinn reviews a Music and Musings concert in Galway featuring the world premiere of Greg Caffrey's fourth string quartet.
Nobody spotted the rise of populism, say the media and the politicians, but that’s not entirely true when it comes to folk music. There is a case to be made for listening much more carefully to the music around us, writes Toner Quinn.
A tribute to the renowned Irish musician, composer and educator who died on 7 November 2018.
The Galway Jazz Festival has a new momentum and was bigger again this year – Toner Quinn attended a mix of concerts, from the Radio String Quartet to Peter Broderick, plus a debate on Brexit.
In the world premiere of Jennifer Walshe's 'The Worlding' at the Model in Sligo, her 'Aisteach' project comes alive, writes Toner Quinn.
The first All Together Now festival took place on 3–5 August on the Curraghmore Estate in Waterford. It's where the new Irish generations come for freedom – or is it order, asks Toner Quinn.
Singer-songwriter David Kitt is leaving Ireland because of the housing situation, and music writer and DJ Nialler9 is 'stressed and broken' by it. Boom after bust after boom, the lot of the Irish musician never seems to change. There is a way to change this, writes Toner Quinn.
Irish National Opera continues to experiment and excite with a production of Gluck's 'Orfeo ed Euridice' in Galway and a spectacular performance by Sharon Carty, writes Toner Quinn.
The Irish Government has launched a new initiative, 'Global Ireland', with international aspirations – but what does it mean for Irish music?
The debut album from The High Seas trio contains feverish music and some classic moments, writes Toner Quinn.
Fiddle-player Conor Caldwell's diverse new album is inspired by both the historic work of collector Edward Bunting and the sounds of contemporary Belfast, writes Toner Quinn.
The RTÉ orchestras report has made recommendations in response to a crisis, but we have not heard enough discussion of the issues that caused it, writes Toner Quinn.
When we have instant access to every piece of music that we love, anywhere and anytime, something profound has happened, writes Toner Quinn.
The debate around RTÉ's orchestras points to deeper challenges – it's essential that we keep this conversation going, writes Toner Quinn.
The Galway Jazz Festival is on an ambitious new path – with over 40 events over 4 days held in October. Toner Quinn attended three sold-out shows at the Mick Lally Theatre.
What makes a political folk opera work? Do traditional musicians go far enough in their experimentations? And what is the 'social side' of classical music? Toner Quinn reflects on a range of questions raised by the musical riches at this year's Kilkenny Arts Festival.
The suicide bombing at Manchester Arena was the second such attack at a music event in two years. What is to be the role of music in this 'age of anger', asks Toner Quinn.
Concertina player Cormac Begley’s creative journey has been one to watch, and his new solo album is an assertive next step, writes Toner Quinn.
Liam O'Connor's first solo album strikes the balance between virtuosity and style, writes Toner Quinn.
Johnny Óg Connolly's new song cycle for Liam Ó Maonlaí captured a range of atmospheres, from mystery to melancholy, writes Toner Quinn.
Michael Dervan's new book, 'The Invisible Art: A Century of Music in Ireland 1916–2016', is, like the Composing the Island festival last September, an attempt at addressing the ‘invisibility of composers in Irish life’ – but not all composers, writes Toner Quinn.
A line has been crossed. Will Irish musicians and composers participate in the new US regime?
RTÉ orchestras will perform two nights of music by Stravinsky this weekend. We take the opportunity to look back on the composer's visit to Ireland in June 1963.
Having a harp on our coins only really matters if we give meaning to that symbolism, writes Toner Quinn.