Toner Quinn is editor of the Journal of Music.
Toner Quinn
Last weekend, Irish National Opera gave the first ever Irish performance of an opera by Vivaldi – the story of a formidable woman subjected to ridicule and abuse. Toner Quinn reviews.
We have entered a new era in Irish music, writes Toner Quinn, in which a language based on traditional music and song is producing extraordinary work across genres, but is it getting the attention it deserves?
Lyric FM is under threat because of RTÉ's financial difficulties, but a better future for the station is possible, writes Toner Quinn.
Cherry Smyth's 'Famished' – a collection of poems focused on the famine – was performed at Kilkenny Arts Festival last week, with singer Lauren Kinsella and composer Ed Bennett. Toner Quinn reviews.
Kilkenny Arts Festival presented the Irish premiere of Ed Bennett's 'Song of the Books' last week, performed by Kate Ellis and Crash Ensemble. Toner Quinn reviews.
The achievements of Ireland's composers abroad are not getting enough attention at home.
Irish National Opera gave the world premiere of 'Least Like the Other: Searching for Rosemary Kennedy' in Galway this week, a work by composer Brian Irvine and director Netia Jones that tells the story of JFK's sister. Toner Quinn reviews.
Luminosa string orchestra recently held its inaugural concerts in Galway, the first focussing on work by female composers and the second on the theme of landscape and music. Toner Quinn reviews.
Other Voices took place in Belfast at the weekend, accompanied by a number of discussions on borders, cultural breakthroughs and the redemptive power of music, writes Toner Quinn.
The Open Ear festival of experimental and electronic music on Sherkin Island is now in its fourth year. It has a spirit of nonconformism, and provided one of the most unique moments one could imagine for a music festival, writes 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?
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.
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