Criticism
A Festival Drawn to the Introspective
The 2024 Louth Contemporary Music Festival took place on 14–15 June and featured music by Robert Ashley, Linda Catlin Smith and Stockhausen with performances by Varispeed Collective, Neue Vocalsolisten, Rihab Azar, Zoë Conway, Inni-k and more. Brendan Finan reviews.
Exploring Identity and Solitude at the Cutting Edge
A new film exploring the making of Úna Monaghan's experimental album 'Aonaracht' was broadcast on TG4 on 5 June. Don O'Mahony reviews.
A Composer's Guide to Cataclysm
RTÉ Lyric FM recently broadcast a two-part documentary on Irish composers and climate change, presented and produced by Jonathan Grimes of the Contemporary Music Centre. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
Getting to What Remains
Musician and composer Shane Latimer has just released a new album, 'Residuum', on the Diatribe label. Don O'Mahony reviews.
An Ambitious Musical Exploration of Migration and the Climate Crisis
Music for Galway's 9-day Cellissimo festival, with a strong focus on the issues of migration and the climate crisis, began on 18 May. Brendan Finan reviews the opening weekend.
Making Bedfellows of Traditional Music and Experimental Theatre
Accordion player Danny O'Mahony and theatre company Brokentalkers toured their show 'Bellow' earlier this year. Don O'Mahony reviews.
Britain's National Musical Paradox
BBC Radio 3 recently broadcast a six-part series, ‘The Land Without Music?’, exploring the current musical landscape in Britain. Christopher Fox reviews.
Challenging and Curious – New Music Dublin: Days 1 and 4
New Music Dublin took place at the National Concert Hall and other venues in the city from 25 to 28 April with many world and Irish premieres. Brendan Finan reviews days 1 and 4. For a review of days 2 and 3 by James Camien McGuiggan, see the link below.
Excellence But Lacking Surprise – New Music Dublin: Days 2 and 3
New Music Dublin took place at the National Concert Hall and other venues in the city from 25 to 28 April with many world and Irish premieres. James Camien McGuiggan reviews days 2 and 3. For a review of days 1 and 4 by Brendan Finan see the link below.
Revealing the Thinking Behind the Music: Seán Clancy's 'Four Sections of Music Unequally Divided'
Composer Seán Clancy has just released a recording of 'Four Sections of Music Unequally Divided' on the Birmingham Record Company label. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.