Focus

Finnegans Flare Finnegans Flare Brendan Finan Composer Roger Doyle has just released a second volume of works inspired by Joyce's 'Finnegans Wake'. Brendan Finan reviews.
The Challenge of Moving Beyond Common Ground The Challenge of Moving Beyond Common Ground Adrian Scahill Martin Hayes and his new group the Common Ground Ensemble have just released their first album together, 'Peggy’s Dream'. Adrian Scahill reviews.
Creating Space for Collaboration Creating Space for Collaboration Thomas Neill The Ulster Orchestra and pianist Clare Hammond, conducted by Jamie Phillips, gave the world premiere of Piers Hellawell's 'Rapprochement' last week. Thomas Neill reviews.
A Soundworld that has Become Deeper and Richer A Soundworld that has Become Deeper and Richer James Camien McGuiggan Lankum's fourth studio album, 'False Lankum', is a refinement of their sound more than it is something radically new, but there are many other achievements, writes James Camien McGuiggan.
Picked Up and Placed Elsewhere Picked Up and Placed Elsewhere Brendan Finan The new Metronome series began at the NCH last week (16 March) with Ordnance Survey's 'Nomos: O’Riada Reimagined' and Sharon Phelan's 'Radio Ocean'. Brendan Finan reviews.
An Irish-language Elegy An Irish-language Elegy Kevin Boushel Chamber Choir Ireland and the Irish Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Cormac McCarthy, gave the world premiere of Eoghan Desmond’s 'Amra Choluim Chille' on 15 March. Kevin Boushel reviews.
Short-term Thinking Won't Deliver Anything But Cuts to British Music Short-term Thinking Won't Deliver Anything But Cuts to British Music Christopher Fox Four months after Arts Council England made cuts to opera companies and orchestras, the BBC is now disbanding its professional choir and promising a 20% cut to its orchestras. Composer Christopher Fox discusses the growing crisis in British music.
An Incomplete Journey Through Chicago's Irish Music Scene An Incomplete Journey Through Chicago's Irish Music Scene Martin Dowling Richie Piggott’s recent book, 'Cry of a People Gone: Irish Musicians in Chicago, 1920–2020', explores the story of Irish music in the Midwest city, documenting important milestones and including numerous biographies as well as hundreds of photos. Martin Dowling reviews.
Love, Lust and the Passing of Time Love, Lust and the Passing of Time Adrian Smith Irish National Opera presented Richard Strauss' 'Der Rosenkavalier', starring Celine Byrne, Paula Murrihy and Claudia Boyle, at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin on 5–11 March. Adrian Smith reviews.
Every Note to Be Magical Every Note to Be Magical James Camien McGuiggan 'Litir ó Do Chara', a portrait film about the late guitarist Dennis Cahill, was broadcast on TG4 on 5 March. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.

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