Focus
Not Icons but Jewels
Currently experiencing an upsurge in the popularity of its folk music – termed ‘the second folk revival’ – English society is at the same time attempting to address the issue of national identity. Chris Wood – pioneering singer, fiddle-player and composer, who this year was nominated for four BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, including folk singer of the year – is musically at the very heart of what is taking place in English folk music at present. Here, he provides his personal view of English society today and the untapped potential of its traditional music.
A Tradition Flowering
Tradition in the midst of a flowering in Come West Along The Road, a DVD of traditional music from the 1960s, 70s and 80s.
The Sound of Discovery
The Festival de Jazz et de Free Music in Mulhouse, France.
Cultúr Bógus na Tíre Seo
Is the idea of Irish culture we promote abroad ‘bogus’?
When form was blown open
'Open form', Luigi Nono and Morton Feldman.
Glimpses of the Fuller Picture
Serenade by Mick McAuley and Winifred Horan and Paul Dooley's Music from the Robert ap Huw Manuscript.
'Octets have a habit of growing into symphony orchestras'
A review of Richard Pine's book Music and Broadcasting in Ireland.
Live Reviews: Horizons – Elaine Agnew
NCH, Dublin, 17 January 2006Lutoslawski – Musique Funèbre (á la mémoire de Béla Bartók); Agnew – Slasp; Kats-Chernin – Heaven is Closed; Agnew – Straight to the PointRTÉ National Symphony Orchestra;...