Focus

‘We’ve got one chance to get this right': An Interview with Anthony Long ‘We’ve got one chance to get this right': An Interview with Anthony Long In 2017, Anthony Long was appointed manager of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, following 15 years with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. After an external review of the orchestras last April, the Government announced that the NSO was to move from RTÉ to the National Concert Hall. In this interview with The Journal of Music, Long discusses how the difficulties built up for the orchestra – and the challenge of getting things back on track.
Leaving a Trail for New Composers Leaving a Trail for New Composers Tim Diovanni The fourth concert in the Female Composer Series at the National Concert Hall – programmed in partnership with Sounding the Feminists – featured music by Thea Musgrave, Sofia Gubaidulina, Jane O'Leary and Kaija Saariaho. Tim Diovanni reviews.
Trading Licks Trading Licks James Camien McGuiggan The Saturday night double-header at the Spike cello festival featured traditional musicians Liam O’Connor and Cormac Begley with Cello Ireland, and free improviser Ernst Reijseger – a night that went from Irish slow airs to musical comedy. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
Why We Need to Transform Our Orchestras – and How We Can Do It Why We Need to Transform Our Orchestras – and How We Can Do It Brian Irvine Orchestras are leaving too many people behind and failing to deliver on their extraordinary promise, writes Brian Irvine. The way towards transformation – and to create genuinely fresh sounds – is to involve new people in new ways.
Looking for a Link Among Irish Composers Looking for a Link Among Irish Composers Tim Diovanni Tim Diovanni reviews a concert of works by Stanford, Buckley and Boyle performed by the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra – a rare and interesting mix, but did it work?
'Irish history... [is] so apt for what's happening now': An Interview with Lauren Kinsella 'Irish history... [is] so apt for what's happening now': An Interview with Lauren Kinsella Ahead of the premiere of 'Famished' with poet Cherry Smyth and composer Ed Bennett, singer and composer Lauren Kinsella speaks to The Journal of Music about improvisation, contemporary social crises and the stage as a space for conversations.
A Voice for Dark Nights A Voice for Dark Nights Anna Murray Lankum singer Radie Peat's solo performances revolve around the dark spectrum of folk music. Anna Murray reviews her recent set at Temple Bar TradFest.
Last Songs and Final Fugues Last Songs and Final Fugues Jake Morgan Music for Galway's Midwinter Festival explored a range of works written at the end of composers' lives. Jake Morgan reviews performances from Finghin Collins, ConTempo Quartet, Ailish Tynan and more.
When Everything Breathes: An Interview with Peter Broderick When Everything Breathes: An Interview with Peter Broderick 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.
More to Unite Than Divide More to Unite Than Divide Adrian Smith The latest concert in the Female Composers Series at the NCH featured works by composers of the Belle Époque – from Lili Boulanger to Mélanie Bonis – illuminating our understanding of the music of the period, writes Adrian Smith.

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