Focus

Radical Bach? 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.
The Many Sides of Music and Song Collecting The Many Sides of Music and Song Collecting Adrian Scahill 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.
Some Kind of Magic in Cork 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 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.
Reflections on Home from Norway to Ukraine Reflections on Home from Norway to Ukraine James Camien McGuiggan Norwegian violinist and composer Henning Kraggerud recently performed with the Irish Chamber Orchestra at the NCH. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
CMAT Sees Us Through CMAT Sees Us Through Shannon McNamee Irish pop singer CMAT's debut album went to number one in the Irish charts in its very first week. An original songwriter with a witty online presence, she has come to mean even more than that for her fans, writes Shannon McNamee.
Dublin Theatres Were Wrong to Cancel Russian Ballets Dublin Theatres Were Wrong to Cancel Russian Ballets Adrian Smith A cultural boycott of Russia has been emerging over the past two weeks following the invasion of Ukraine, but we have to reflect on how it is being implemented and what it hopes to achieve, writes Adrian Smith.
Sophisticated Sound World Sophisticated Sound World Geoffrey Spratt The viola player Constantin Zanidache, founder member of the Academica Quartet and a former teacher at MTU Cork School of Music, recently gave a recital of Bach and John Kinsella in the Curtis Auditorium. Geoffrey Spratt reviews.
Against Typecasting Against Typecasting Brendan Finan Malachy Robinson's recent album 'The Irish Double Bass' features works by his grandfather Joseph Groocock, Eoghan Desmond, John Kinsella, Ian Wilson, Kevin O'Connell, Judith Ring, Deirdre Gribbin, and Ryan Molloy. Brendan Finan reviews.
Drawing on a Host of Traditions Drawing on a Host of Traditions James Camien McGuiggan The Fidelio Trio have recently released an album of chamber music by Ernest Moeran with works dating from the 1920s to the 40s. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.

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