Focus

The Evolution Across a Composer’s Career The Evolution Across a Composer’s Career Brendan Finan Farpoint Recordings have recently released 'Drinking the Stars', an extensive collection of piano music by John McLachlan performed by Mary Dullea. Brendan Finan reviews.
Shane MacGowan’s Crusading Ideas on Irish Music Toner Quinn Tributes to the late Shane MacGowan emphasise his songwriting, but his vision for Irish music was much broader than that, writes Toner Quinn.
Letting a Classic Speak Letting a Classic Speak Adrian Smith Irish National Opera presented Puccini's 'La bohème' at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin on 20–26 November. Adrian Smith reviews.
In the Tradition of Terry Riley In the Tradition of Terry Riley Adrian Scahill Louth Contemporary Music Society has just released an Irish traditional music version of Terry Riley's classic 1964 minimalist work 'In C', performed by Zoë Conway, Paddy Glackin, Máirtín O’Connor, Michelle Mulcahy, Louise Mulcahy, Mick O’Brien and Dónal Lunny. Adrian Scahill reviews.
A Northern Star: What Ireland Can Learn from Huddersfield A Northern Star: What Ireland Can Learn from Huddersfield Adrian Smith The Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival (17–26 November) has a particular focus on music from Ireland this year, as well as works from Lithuania, Rebecca Saunders, Laura Bowler, Angharad Davies and more. Adrian Smith reviews the opening weekend.
Into Another World Where Jazz and Traditional Music Merge Into Another World Where Jazz and Traditional Music Merge Brendan Finan Composer, double bass player and traditional flute player Neil Ó Lochlainn premiered his new work 'Emain Ablach' with a 14-piece ensemble in Galway and Dublin last weekend. Brendan Finan reviews the Smock Alley performance.
If RTÉ Won’t Speak Up About Its Importance to Irish Music, Who Will? If RTÉ Won’t Speak Up About Its Importance to Irish Music, Who Will? Toner Quinn RTÉ has just published its document 'A New Direction for RTÉ', but where is the renewed vision for music, asks Toner Quinn.
Trading Irish and Welsh Tunes Trading Irish and Welsh Tunes Brendan Finan Irish fiddle player Aoife Ní Bhriain and Welsh harpist Catrin Finch have recently released their first album together, 'Double You'. Brendan Finan reviews.
Is This Contemporary Dublin? Is This Contemporary Dublin? James Camien McGuiggan John Francis Flynn's second album 'Look over the Wall, See the Sky' was released this month on the River Lea label. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
Never Taking Communication for Granted Never Taking Communication for Granted James Camien McGuiggan 'The Body That Breathes', a silent concert experience directed by violinist Jane Hackett and devised with George Higgs and the Dublin Theatre of the Deaf, took place on 1 November at Unit 44 in Dublin. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.

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