Focus

An Expressive Portrait An Expressive Portrait James Camien McGuiggan Composer Greg Caffrey has just released 'Environments', an orchestral album featuring the Ulster Orchestra conducted by Sinead Hayes, guitarist Craig Ogden and pianist Daniel Browell. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
Crash the Universe Crash the Universe Brendan Finan Crash Ensemble's two most recent recordings focus on works by Irish composer Sam Perkin and Canadian Bekah Simms. Brendan Finan reviews 'Children in the Universe' and 'Metamold', both released on the group's own label.
Stanford Revisited Stanford Revisited Áine Mulvey Jeremy Dibble has recently published a revised and expanded version of his major work 'Charles Villiers Stanford: Man and Musician', marking the centenary of the composer's death. Áine Mulvey reviews.
A Remarkable Conversation A Remarkable Conversation James Camien McGuiggan The Blue Chopsticks label has just released 'In the Merry Month of May', a collaboration between Irish composer Jennifer Walshe and the late American experimental artist Tony Conrad who died in 2016. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
Silence is Not Complicity: A Reply to Sebastian Adams Silence is Not Complicity: A Reply to Sebastian Adams Adrian Smith In a previous article in the Journal of Music, composer Sebastian Adams criticised music organisations for not supporting activist musicians. Here, music writer Adrian Smith replies and makes the case for the political independence of promoters.
'Never since .... have I forgotten Erin': The Life and Work of Irish Composer William Vincent Wallace 'Never since .... have I forgotten Erin': The Life and Work of Irish Composer William Vincent Wallace Una Hunt On Friday 26 July at the National Concert Hall, the National Symphony Orchestra and Heritage Music Productions will present a concert performance of Waterford-born William Vincent Wallace's opera 'Lurline'. In this essay, Una Hunt explores his adventurous life and key works.
The Wonders of Bantry The Wonders of Bantry Adrian Smith The 2024 West Cork Chamber Music Festival took place from 28 June to 7 July in Bantry and featured Camerata Øresund, Chiaroscuro Quartet, Esther Hoppe, Boris Giltburg, Dana Zemtsov and many more. Adrian Smith reviews the concerts on 4 and 5 July.
Where is the Support for Activist Musicians? Where is the Support for Activist Musicians? Sebastian Adams Since the crisis in Gaza began, Irish musicians have made a huge effort as regards activism and fundraising, but where has the support been from music organisations, asks Sebastian Adams.
Kneecap's Pushback Against Power Kneecap's Pushback Against Power Verena Commins Kneecap's recently released debut album, 'Fine Art', unveils an extraordinary, bilingual Belfast world and features Radie Peat, Manchán Magan and Grian Chatten. Verena Commins reviews.
A Festival Drawn to the Introspective A Festival Drawn to the Introspective Brendan Finan The 2024 Louth Contemporary Music Festival took place on 14–15 June and featured music by Robert Ashley, Linda Catlin Smith and Stockhausen with performances by Varispeed Collective, Neue Vocalsolisten, Rihab Azar, Zoë Conway, Inni-k and more. Brendan Finan reviews.

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