Focus
Is Music Timeless?
Presented as part of the MusicTown festival this year, 'A Weldon Kane Report – Joe Heaney Is a Time Traveller' explores the revelation that there exists a secret society of time-travelling Irish traditional musicians. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
Music Worth Making
The 8th edition of New Music Dublin, Ireland's largest festival of contemporary music, took place on 23–26 April, this time online. With 33 world premieres and a weekend full of concerts, did it manage to maintain the momentum of recent years? Adrian Smith reviews.
A Festival of Different Futures
On 14–18 April, Louth Contemporary Music Society presented a five-day online festival featuring work by Sarah Hennies, Kevin Volans, Cornelius Cardew, Leo Brouwer and more. Brendan Finan reviews.
When We Think of a Loved One
Filmmaker and musician Myles O'Reilly has been releasing music under the title of [Indistinct Chatter] since shortly after the pandemic began. His third record of ambient electronica, 'My Mother's Star' was released last month. Don O'Mahony reviews.
Voices So Close
In the summer of 2019, David Balfe released his debut album 'For Those I Love' for a brief period before it disappeared from streaming services. After months of hype, it was finally released in March of this year. Andrea Cleary reviews.
The Small Details of Break-ups
Emerging group NewDad have recently released their debut EP 'Waves'. Kelly Doherty reviews.
Many Sides to the Galway Cello
Music for Galway's inaugural Cellissimo festival, presented in partnership with Galway 2020, took place at the end of March, featuring seven days of cello concerts, workshops, talks, a Bill Whelan world premiere, an exhibition, and a new cello made in Galway. Brendan Finan reviews.
Exploring Musical Life in Ireland in the 1700s
Irish Baroque Orchestra's latest release 'The Trials of Tenducci', featuring Tara Erraught, uncovers a number of works with connections to music in Ireland in the eighteenth-century. Brendan Finan reviews.
Bringing All the Ideas Together
Flute-player Fintan Vallely has recently released 'Merrijig Creek', a solo album of newly composed tunes. Kevin McCullagh reviews.
Diverse Responses to the Earth and Sea
Navona Records have recently released a live album of works for orchestra and large ensemble by Peter Dickson Lopez, Corrina Bonshek and Jane O'Leary. Mark Fitzgerald reviews.