Tracing a Life's Path
Brendan Finan
Accordion player and composer Johnny Óg Connolly has just completed a national tour with his new work 'An Cosán Draíochta'. Brendan Finan reviews the performance at Solstice Arts Centre on 11 November.
A Joyous Debut
Adrian Smith
The Chineke! Orchestra, Europe's first majority Black and ethnically diverse orchestra, made their Irish debut at the NCH on 13 November, with soloist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason. Adrian Smith reviews.
A Hymn to Nature and Freedom
Adrian Smith
Irish National Opera's 'William Tell' – the first production of the Rossini opera in Ireland for 145 years – opened at the Gaiety Theatre on 8 November and runs until Sunday. Adrian Smith reviews.
Playing to His Strengths
Adrian Scahill
Frankie Gavin's new solo album, 'Port Éireann', with Catherine McHugh on piano, contains classic traditional sets, a new composition, and a tribute to Joe Burke. Adrian Scahill reviews.
A Tradition Carried Forward
James Camien McGuiggan
'MÁM' by Michael Keegan-Dolan and dance company Teaċ Daṁsa, featuring concertina player Cormac Begley and the Berlin-based collective s t a r g a z e, is currently on tour. James Camien McGuiggan reviews a performance in Portarlington Community Centre on 28 October.
The Pacing of Big Moments
Adrian Smith
The newly formed Pirosmani Quartet (Mairéad Hickey, William Hagen, Georgy Kovalev and Aleksey Shadrin) performed works by Seán Doherty, Beethoven and Brahms at the NCH on 23 October, the final date of a nationwide tour presented by the National String Quartet Foundation. Adrian Smith reviews.
A Rare Road in Irish Music
Brendan Finan
Composer Bill Whelan's new memoir, 'The Road to Riverdance', explores growing up in Limerick, working in the Irish music industry, and the famous performance of his work during the Eurovision interval in 1994. Brendan Finan reviews.
Different Dimensions
Adrian Smith
The Fidelio Trio have recently released an album of chamber works by Gerald Barry, most of which have never been recorded previously. Adrian Smith reviews.
Nocturnal Spirit
Drew Stephens
The National Concert Hall hosted two nights of electronic and experimental music on 1 and 2 October, with over forty artists including Oneohtrix Point Never, Caterina Barbieri, Blackhaine, Coby Sey, Roger Doyle, Debit, Elaine Howley, R. Kitt and more. Drew Stephens reviews.
Smaller Voices of the Irish Civil War
Brendan Finan
'Who’d Ever Think It Would Come To This? – A Civil War Cantata', composed by Anne-Marie O’Farrell with a libretto by Ed Vulliamy, received its premiere at UCD on 30 September. Brendan Finan reviews.
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