Focus
'A Civilizational Battle': Russia, Ukraine and the Conflict Over Culture
There have been renewed calls for a boycott of Russian culture, but many Russian artists are at odds with the regime and we should support them, writes Adrian Smith.
Lesser-known Pathways of the Baroque in Ireland
The Irish Baroque Orchestra has recently released a third CD focusing on music that would have been heard in eighteenth-century Dublin, 'The Hibernian Muse – Music for Ireland by Purcell and Cousser', with Peter Whelan conducting and featuring the chamber choir Sestina. Mark Fitzgerald reviews.
One Voice, Many Paths
Bono's new memoir, 'Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story', brings the reader from his formative years up to the present and explores the rise of U2, the band's catalogue of albums, his political campaigning, and family relationships. Laura Watson reviews.
Crash Looking Forward and Back
Crash Ensemble celebrated 25 years with two concerts at the NCH on 3–4 December. Brendan Finan reviews the Saturday performance, which featured a new work by Diamanda La Berge Dramm and Neva Elliott, and Donnacha Dennehy's 'Grá agus Bás'.
The Things That Keep People Connected
The 2022 Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival took place on 18–27 November and included a focus on Ireland and Australia as well as performances by Pat Thomas, Explore Ensemble and more. James Camien McGuiggan reviews the final weekend.
The Collector as Coloniser?
The University of Chicago Press has recently published a book on the influential Irish music collector Francis O'Neill, 'The Beat Cop – Chicago’s Chief O’Neill and the Creation of Irish Music' by Michael O’Malley. Mary Louise O'Donnell reviews.
10 Impossible Ideas for Irish Traditional Music
A lot has been achieved in Irish traditional music over the past several decades, but what happens next? What are the challenges for this music, and how can the traditional music community work together to create an even better future? Below is the edited text of a talk given by Toner Quinn, Editor of the Journal of Music, on 24 November 2022 as part of Na Píobairí Uilleann’s 'Notes & Narratives' lecture series.
What Ever Happened to Britten in Ireland?
Benjamin Britten is one of the most unique composers of the twentieth century, but in Ireland the programming of his work has been inconsistent, writes Thomas Neill.
Between What Was and What Might Be
Singer and songwriter Paul Brady has recently published a memoir of his life in music, 'Crazy Dreams', which explores growing up in Strabane, the folk scene of the 60s and 70s, his seminal albums and songs, and recent projects. Adrian Scahill reviews.
Music in a Land of Contradictions
Arts Council England's recent funding decisions have set opera companies, orchestras and even musical genres against one another. The controversy demonstrates why musicians have to stand together, writes composer Christopher Fox.