A Tempered Solitude
James Camien McGuiggan
Harper Úna Monaghan's new album 'Aonaracht' is a collection of six pieces for solo traditional musicians and computer, featuring Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn, Jack Talty, Pauline Scanlon, Saileog Ní Cheannabháin, Paddy Glackin and Monaghan herself. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
Peeling Away Layers
Brendan Finan
Damien Dempsey's 'Tales from the Holywell', a theatrical production directed by Conor McPherson and telling the story of the singer's development as an artist, is currently on a sold-out run at the Abbey Theatre. Brendan Finan reviews.
Finding a Distinctive Voice
Adrian Scahill
Diarmuid Ó Meachair, recipient of the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Young Musician of the Year award last year, has recently released his debut album on Raelach Records. Adrian Scahill reviews.
Conversations with Joyce
Adrian Smith
The world premiere of a new opera by Evangelia Rigaki and Marina Carr, 'Old Ghosts', inspired by 'Ulysses', took place last week at the Museum of Literature Ireland in Dublin. Adrian Smith reviews.
An Exploratory Suite Inspired by Achill
Adrian Scahill
The group Cuar, led by musician and composer Neil Ó Lochlainn, has recently released its second release, 'Umhaill', featuring Ultan O'Brien, Sam Comerford, Colm O'Hara and Pádraic Keane. Adrian Scahill reviews.
A Homecoming Away from Home
Brendan Finan
The Inishowen Trad Orchestra and Choir, conducted by Martin Tourish, presented a new work, 'Inishowen', at the National Concert Hall on 22 January. Brendan Finan reviews.
The Gradual Unfolding of Ideas
Adrian Smith
Last week the National Symphony Orchestra performed four world premieres by Irish composers – orchestral works by Adam McCartney, Seán O’Dálaigh, Judith Ring and Karen Power. Adrian Smith reviews.
Lesser-known Pathways of the Baroque in Ireland
Mark Fitzgerald
The Irish Baroque Orchestra has recently released a third CD focusing on music that would have been heard in eighteenth-century Dublin, 'The Hibernian Muse – Music for Ireland by Purcell and Cousser', with Peter Whelan conducting and featuring the chamber choir Sestina. Mark Fitzgerald reviews.
Crash Looking Forward and Back
Brendan Finan
Crash Ensemble celebrated 25 years with two concerts at the NCH on 3–4 December. Brendan Finan reviews the Saturday performance, which featured a new work by Diamanda La Berge Dramm and Neva Elliott, and Donnacha Dennehy's 'Grá agus Bás'.
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Boundary Pushing Start for New Irish Musical Theatre Group
Newly established musical theatre group Entr’acte performed the coming-of-age show 'Spring Awakening' at Smock Alley Theatre on 25–28 January. Thomas Neill reviews.