Playing to His Strengths
Adrian Scahill
Frankie Gavin's new solo album, 'Port Éireann', with Catherine McHugh on piano, contains classic traditional sets, a new composition, and a tribute to Joe Burke. Adrian Scahill reviews.
A Tradition Carried Forward
James Camien McGuiggan
'MÁM' by Michael Keegan-Dolan and dance company Teaċ Daṁsa, featuring concertina player Cormac Begley and the Berlin-based collective s t a r g a z e, is currently on tour. James Camien McGuiggan reviews a performance in Portarlington Community Centre on 28 October.
The Pacing of Big Moments
Adrian Smith
The newly formed Pirosmani Quartet (Mairéad Hickey, William Hagen, Georgy Kovalev and Aleksey Shadrin) performed works by Seán Doherty, Beethoven and Brahms at the NCH on 23 October, the final date of a nationwide tour presented by the National String Quartet Foundation. Adrian Smith reviews.
A Rare Road in Irish Music
Brendan Finan
Composer Bill Whelan's new memoir, 'The Road to Riverdance', explores growing up in Limerick, working in the Irish music industry, and the famous performance of his work during the Eurovision interval in 1994. Brendan Finan reviews.
Different Dimensions
Adrian Smith
The Fidelio Trio have recently released an album of chamber works by Gerald Barry, most of which have never been recorded previously. Adrian Smith reviews.
Nocturnal Spirit
Drew Stephens
The National Concert Hall hosted two nights of electronic and experimental music on 1 and 2 October, with over forty artists including Oneohtrix Point Never, Caterina Barbieri, Blackhaine, Coby Sey, Roger Doyle, Debit, Elaine Howley, R. Kitt and more. Drew Stephens reviews.
Smaller Voices of the Irish Civil War
Brendan Finan
'Who’d Ever Think It Would Come To This? – A Civil War Cantata', composed by Anne-Marie O’Farrell with a libretto by Ed Vulliamy, received its premiere at UCD on 30 September. Brendan Finan reviews.
City Songs
Andrea Cleary
Dublin singer-songwriter Sorcha Richardson's second album 'Smiling Like an Idiot' was released last week on Faction Records. Andrea Cleary reviews.
Starting with Intent
James Camien McGuiggan
Music Network's first tour of the autumn season began with Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Cormac de Barra and Mark Redmond at the Sugar Club in Dublin on 14 September. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
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Delving Deep into the Tunes of Paddy Fahey
Galway fiddle players Liz and Yvonne Kane have recently released their fourth duet album together, 'In Memory of Paddy Fahey'. Adrian Scahill reviews.