The End and the Beginning
Ian Bascombe
Cormac Breatnach's 'The Whistle Blower' tour and album, featuring Daire Bracken and Martin Tourish, is both an act of healing as well as a challenging musical offering. Ian Bascombe reviews the performance at Glór.
Hard to Reconcile
Brendan Finan
The Fidelio Trio's second album of French piano trios has all the fine musicianship of the busy trio, writes Brendan Finan, but too many eccentricities.
'Don't Worry, It's Totally Safe'
Tim Diovanni
'Body Noise Work' – an adventurous project by new music ensemble Kirkos – took place in Dublin last weekend. Tim Diovanni reviews a series of performances involving dripping water, instrument destruction and physical interference.
Music from the Mothership
Barbara Jillian Dignam
'The Curious Works of Roger Doyle', a recent documentary on the Irish composer, asks why his music is not better known by the wider public. It's an important question, writes Barbara Jillian Dignam, but with no easy answer.
Australian Gifts
Jake Morgan
Jake Morgan reviews the Goldner Quartet in Galway, performing a programme that included Peter Sculthorpe's 'Jabiru Dreaming' inspired by Aboriginal music.
Spinning the Orchestra
Anna Murray
Composer and turntablist Shiva Feshareki joined the BBC Concert Orchestra for the premiere of her work 'Dialogues' as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival. Anna Murray reviews.
Anchoring the Tension
Toner Quinn
Toner Quinn reviews a Music and Musings concert in Galway featuring the world premiere of Greg Caffrey's fourth string quartet.
Layering Irony and Politics
Brendan Finan
Irish National Opera's final production of its first season is a non-traditional retelling of Verdi's 'Aida' featuring Gwyn Hughes Jones, Orla Boylan and Imelda Drumm in the lead roles. A visually spectacular production, it brings the story's imperialism to the centre, writes Brendan Finan.
Sounding from the Page
Laura Sheary
Known for his innovative music broadcasting, John Kelly's first collection of poetry, 'Notions', which has just been published by Dedalus Press, finds beauty in the small things, writes Laura Sheary.
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Opera and Dance Music from the Poly-Doyle
Brendan Finan reviews two recordings from the diverse musical world of Roger Doyle – his 2018 'Heresy' opera and a forthcoming release of new pieces based on the same work.