Focus
The Forgotten Influences on Pianists and Composers of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries
A new book by Gabriela Mayer, 'The Art of the Unspoken', explores how rhetoric, linguistic parallels and the singing voice were understood by pianists and composers of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and how performers can interpret these aspects today. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
We Hear Life Persist: Meredith Monk at the National Concert Hall
Pioneering American composer and vocalist Meredith Monk performed at the National Concert Hall last week with members of her vocal ensemble. Brendan Finan reviews.
A Concert Like a Classical Work: Killian Farrell, Sharon Carty and the Irish Chamber Orchestra
On 10 February at the Whyte Recital Hall in Dublin, the Irish Chamber Orchestra with conductor Killian Farrell and mezzo-soprano Sharon Carty performed Deirdre Gribbin's 'The Stones of Life', Mahler, Prokofiev and Mozart. Brendan Finan reviews.
Beginning with America: Chamber Choir Ireland at the Pepper Canister
Last weekend, Chamber Choir Ireland began their spring/summer season, and their final year under conductor Paul Hillier, with a programme of works by American composers. Brendan Finan reviews.
Irish Classical Not So Hidden Anymore
BBC Radio 3 has recently broadcast a series exploring Irish classical music across three centuries. Brendan Finan reviews.
The Irish for Hip Hop
'Ó Bheal', a new documentary on Irish hip hop, was broadcast on TG4 earlier this month. Shannon McNamee reviews.
'The only thing I am rich in is songs': Tom Munnelly's Lifelong Journey as a Collector
TG4 recently broadcast 'Fear na n-Amhrán: Tom Munnelly', a documentary on the life and work of the great song collector who died in 2007. Lillis Ó Laoire reviews.
Enough of the Facile Narratives: Gael Linn’s Crossroads
TG4 recently broadcast a new documentary marking 70 years of the Irish language and cultural organisation Gael Linn. Toner Quinn reviews.
Listen to the Community
In September, a three-day festival of musical improvisation and sound art, In Your Own Time and Place, took place in Cork city and featured Quiet Music Ensemble and a six-hour 'Sonic Vigil' with a range of artists. Don O’Mahony reviews.
The Remarkable Consistency of John Buckley
The composer John Buckley has recently released 'Boireann' on the Métier label, a collection of works for flute and piano featuring Emma Coulthard, David Appleton and Emma Halnan. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.