Focus

Persist to the Other Side Persist to the Other Side Toner Quinn The fiddle-player Martin Hayes has recently published a memoir of his life in music, 'Shared Notes: A Musical Journey'. Toner Quinn reviews.
Picturing Flutes Picturing Flutes James Camien McGuiggan The Music Current festival in Dublin ended with concerts by Lina Andonovska and Richard Craig. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
Finding Freedom Finding Freedom Brendan Finan Irish National Opera's production of Beethoven's 'Fidelio', which ran at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin last week, questioned ideas of liberty, state power and democracy. Brendan Finan reviews.
Imagination Runs Wild Imagination Runs Wild Adrian Smith Irish National Opera have just released a film version online of Gerald Barry's anarchic opera 'Alice’s Adventures Under Ground', with Claudia Boyle as Alice. Adrian Smith reviews.
Through the Lens Through the Lens Brendan Finan Composer Ian Wilson's new album 'Echoes and Shadows', which focuses on works for violins, was released recently on Farpoint Records. Brendan Finan reviews.
Northern Perspective on New Music Northern Perspective on New Music Mark Fitzgerald Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble from Northern Ireland have recently released their debut album, 'A Terrible Beauty' – a double-CD of 12 compositions. Mark Fitzgerald reviews.
Radio Experimental Radio Experimental Anna Murray Celebrating five years of broadcasting, Dublin Digital Radio hosted its first festival of experimental music and sound last week (27–31 October). Anna Murray reviews.
A Critical Moment for Choral Singing A Critical Moment for Choral Singing Geoffrey Spratt Many choirs have not been able to function meaningfully since the pandemic began, but as they start to meet again now is the time to refresh and reflect on their aims, writes Geoffrey Spratt.
David Keenan's Sense of Place David Keenan's Sense of Place Shannon McNamee Over the last decade, a number of remarkable artists have emerged from the music scene in Dundalk, David Keenan key among them. This month, he released his poetic second album, "What Then?". But what is it about this border town that generated a different type of music scene, and why now? Shannon McNamee writes about her home county and Keenan's unique voice.
Hear Him Out Hear Him Out James Camien McGuiggan Composer Dave Flynn has recently released an album of string quartet and chamber works, 'Irish Minimalism', which combines traditional Irish and contemporary music. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.

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