Criticism

Not Your Ordinary Megalomaniacal Psycho Not Your Ordinary Megalomaniacal Psycho Adrian Smith Irish National Opera presented the Irish staged premiere of Bartók's 'Bluebeard’s Castle' on 12–14 October, with its luminous music and dark folk-tale of castle doors revealing the inner world of the protagonist. The production came with a twist, however, writes Adrian Smith.
Memory Flow Memory Flow Ian Bascombe Founded in 2012, composer Dave Flynn's Irish Memory Orchestra features classical and traditional musicians who play completely by memory. In their latest tour, performing in Ennis, Cork and Kilkenny, they were joined by soloist Máirtín O'Connor. Ian Bascombe reviews.
A New Edge to the West A New Edge to the West Toner Quinn 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.
The Challenge to the Gaeltacht Remains The Challenge to the Gaeltacht Remains Barra Ó Séaghdha ‘Aisling?’, a new show of music, song, dance and literature directed by Darach Mac Con Iomaire and commissioned by Ealaín na Gaeltachta, was presented as a central part of ‘Bliain na Gaeilge’ – a year-long celebration of the Irish language. Barra Ó Séaghdha reviews its Dublin premiere.
Emotional Openness Emotional Openness Anna Murray Ólafur Arnalds wrote his most recent album with the input of a live generative system, but how do these ghostly player pianos work in concert? Anna Murray reviews his recent concert at the National Concert Hall.
 Experiments in Musical Language Experiments in Musical Language Brendan Finan The 2018 edition of New Music Dublin featured two ambitious concertos by Unsuk Chin and Kevin Volans exploring the language of the traditional sheng from China and the Irish uilleann pipes. Brendan Finan reviews.
Shocking Invention Shocking Invention Anna Murray In the first concert of their Music Network tour, Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill, Máirtín O'Connor and Séamie O'Dowd moved between playfulness and finesse, writes Anna Murray.
On Risk and Restraint On Risk and Restraint Adrian Smith Adrian Smith reviews the opening concert of the Irish Chamber Orchestra's 2018/19 season, conducted by French conductor Jean-Christophe Spinosi and featuring a new work by Sam Perkin.
Torch Carriers Torch Carriers Don O'Mahony The first Quiet Lights festival of folk showcased a broad range of musical expression. Don O'Mahony reviews a double-bill of Dowry and Claudia Schwab.
Everything Strange Everything Strange Toner Quinn In the world premiere of Jennifer Walshe's 'The Worlding' at the Model in Sligo, her 'Aisteach' project comes alive, writes Toner Quinn.

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