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
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
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.
Raidió na 'Fuddy-Duddies'?
Toner Quinn
RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta celebrates 50 years this month, but however great its achievements and its positive impact on traditional music and song, Irish-language media cannot stand still, writes Toner Quinn.
Beyond Pussy Riot – Rock, Pop, Rap and the Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Adrian Smith
Beyond the activist punk band Pussy Riot, a number of popular rock, pop and rap artists in Russia have been making their voices heard on the invasion of Ukraine – in the face of oppressive new laws – while others have chosen to stay silent. Adrian Smith explores the nature of dissent through music in Russia at this critical time.
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?
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
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
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.
Pages
The Many Sides of Music and Song Collecting
The first book to discuss music on the Aran Islands, 'Collecting Music in the Aran Islands: A Century of History and Practice', has recently been published by Deirdre Ní Chonghaile. Adrian Scahill reviews.