Criticism
Playing to His Strengths
Frankie Gavin's new solo album, 'Port Éireann', with Catherine McHugh on piano, contains classic traditional sets, a new composition, and a tribute to Joe Burke. Adrian Scahill reviews.
A Tradition Carried Forward
'MÁM' by Michael Keegan-Dolan and dance company Teaċ Daṁsa, featuring concertina player Cormac Begley and the Berlin-based collective s t a r g a z e, is currently on tour. James Camien McGuiggan reviews a performance in Portarlington Community Centre on 28 October.
The Pacing of Big Moments
The newly formed Pirosmani Quartet (Mairéad Hickey, William Hagen, Georgy Kovalev and Aleksey Shadrin) performed works by Seán Doherty, Beethoven and Brahms at the NCH on 23 October, the final date of a nationwide tour presented by the National String Quartet Foundation. Adrian Smith reviews.
Different Dimensions
The Fidelio Trio have recently released an album of chamber works by Gerald Barry, most of which have never been recorded previously. Adrian Smith reviews.
Nocturnal Spirit
The National Concert Hall hosted two nights of electronic and experimental music on 1 and 2 October, with over forty artists including Oneohtrix Point Never, Caterina Barbieri, Blackhaine, Coby Sey, Roger Doyle, Debit, Elaine Howley, R. Kitt and more. Drew Stephens reviews.
Smaller Voices of the Irish Civil War
'Who’d Ever Think It Would Come To This? – A Civil War Cantata', composed by Anne-Marie O’Farrell with a libretto by Ed Vulliamy, received its premiere at UCD on 30 September. Brendan Finan reviews.
City Songs
Dublin singer-songwriter Sorcha Richardson's second album 'Smiling Like an Idiot' was released last week on Faction Records. Andrea Cleary reviews.
Delving Deep into the Tunes of Paddy Fahey
Galway fiddle players Liz and Yvonne Kane have recently released their fourth duet album together, 'In Memory of Paddy Fahey'. Adrian Scahill reviews.
Starting with Intent
Music Network's first tour of the autumn season began with Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Cormac de Barra and Mark Redmond at the Sugar Club in Dublin on 14 September. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
Conversations with the Past
On 11 September, the Irish Traditional Music Archive hosted a gala concert at the National Concert Hall with a range of musicians and dancers who have featured in its Drawing from the Well series. Brendan Finan reviews.