Criticism

Two Days in Belfast Two Days in Belfast Drew Stephens The music and sound art festival Sonorities returned this month following a pause due to the pandemic. Drew Stephens attended a cross-section of the event in Belfast on 7–8 April.
Making Unlikely Things Possible Making Unlikely Things Possible James Camien McGuiggan The Music Current contemporary music festival returned last week post-pandemic and featured international groups Splinter Reeds, Loadbang and Ensemble Garage, Barry Guy and Maya Homburger, and a range of premieres. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
Not Its Usual Scream Not Its Usual Scream Brendan Finan Pianist Michael McHale has recently released an album that combines the famous Beethoven 'Moonlight' and' Appassionata' sonatas with new works by Linda Buckley and Áine Mallon. Brendan Finan reviews.
Intuitive Decisions Intuitive Decisions Andrea Cleary Not long after a remarkable second appearance on James Corden's 'Late Late Show' in the US, Pillow Queens have released their new album, 'Leave The Light On'. Andrea Cleary reviews.
A Voice His Own, Rarely Alone A Voice His Own, Rarely Alone Brendan Finan After a delay of two years due to the pandemic, fiddle player Martin Hayes finally premiered his new group the Common Ground Ensemble at the National Concert Hall last weekend. Brendan Finan reviews.
Radical Bach? Radical Bach? Mark Fitzgerald Xenia Pestova Bennett and Ed Bennett have recently released a reimagining of Bach's 'Goldberg Variations' on the Ergodos label. Mark Fitzgerald reviews.
Some Kind of Magic in Cork Some Kind of Magic in Cork Brendan Finan The seventh Ortús Chamber Music Festival took place recently in Cork, featuring Mairéad Hickey, Fiachra Garvey and a new work by Sebastian Adams. Brendan Finan reviews.
Striking a Celebratory Tone Striking a Celebratory Tone Adrian Smith The National Symphony Orchestra presented two concerts for International Women’s Day featuring a range of works by female composers with soloists Catriona Ryan, Louise Mulcahy, Sharon Shannon, Ava Dodd, Zoë Conway and AIS. Adrian Smith reviews.
Reflections on Home from Norway to Ukraine Reflections on Home from Norway to Ukraine James Camien McGuiggan Norwegian violinist and composer Henning Kraggerud recently performed with the Irish Chamber Orchestra at the NCH. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
Sophisticated Sound World Sophisticated Sound World Geoffrey Spratt The viola player Constantin Zanidache, founder member of the Academica Quartet and a former teacher at MTU Cork School of Music, recently gave a recital of Bach and John Kinsella in the Curtis Auditorium. Geoffrey Spratt reviews.

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