Focus

Opening Up Music, History and Creativity Opening Up Music, History and Creativity Deirdre Gribbin Composer Benjamin Dwyer's new book, 'Music Autopsies: Essays and Interviews (1999–2022)' is a collection of sixteen essays exploring many aspects of creativity, from the impact of Ireland's historical traumas to the work of Beckett, Volans, Crumb, Ligeti and Bernstein. Deirdre Gribbin reviews.
The Climate Crisis Has to be Felt The Climate Crisis Has to be Felt Brendan Finan An intimate new opera, 'Breathwork' by composer Éna Brennan, received its premiere at the Dublin Theatre Festival last week. Brendan Finan reviews.
Walshe's World of Dislocation Walshe's World of Dislocation Adrian Smith The world premiere of 'Oscailt', a new work by Jennifer Walshe, took place at the Samuel Beckett Theatre in Dublin on Tuesday 19 September. Adrian Smith reviews.
Cork on a Good Day Cork on a Good Day Don O'Mahony The fourth edition of the Sounds from a Safe Harbour festival took place in Cork on 7–10 September and featured Ólafur Arnalds, The Vernon Spring, Richard Reed Parry, Ye Vagabonds, Niamh Regan and more. Don O'Mahony reviews.
Demonstrating the Breadth of Irish Contemporary Styles Demonstrating the Breadth of Irish Contemporary Styles Brendan Finan On 3 September at the Hugh Lane Gallery, violinist Larissa O'Grady performed six new works for violin by Irish composers. Brendan Finan reviews.
When it Comes to New Music, the NSO Needs to Get a Move On When it Comes to New Music, the NSO Needs to Get a Move On Adrian Smith The National Symphony Orchestra's new season begins on Friday 8 September, the second full season since it moved to the NCH. Adrian Smith looks ahead to some of the highlights and also considers the orchestra's programming of new music.
Continuing the Flow and Subtlety of the Clare Fiddle Tradition Continuing the Flow and Subtlety of the Clare Fiddle Tradition Adrian Scahill Fiddle player Tony Linnane has recently released his solo album, 'Ceol na Fidle', on Raelach Records. Adrian Scahill reviews.
Duos Moving in Many Directions Duos Moving in Many Directions James Camien McGuiggan NMC Recordings have recently released 'The Last Time I Died' by Ailís Ní Ríain, the first full-length album from the Irish composer. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
How Ireland Treats Its Free Thinkers – The Life and Death of Sinéad O'Connor   How Ireland Treats Its Free Thinkers – The Life and Death of Sinéad O'Connor Toner Quinn The great Sinéad O'Connor has left Ireland with a lot to think about with regard to how we deal with dissent, writes Toner Quinn.
Vital Space in the City Experience Vital Space in the City Experience Drew Stephens The recent MusicTown festival featured a varied line-up of genres and artists including Izumi Kimura, ALYXIS, Crash Ensemble, Péist, Poor Creature, Paddy Keenan and more. Drew Stephens reviews two of the event's four days.

Pages