Focus

Stars and Social Justice Mark Start of New Music Dublin Stars and Social Justice Mark Start of New Music Dublin Brendan Finan The 2025 New Music Dublin festival took place last week at the National Concert Hall and various other venues around the city. In the first of our reviews, Brendan Finan writes about the opening concerts on Wednesday and Thursday (2–3 April).
Abstract Music Belies the Tyndall Effect Abstract Music Belies the Tyndall Effect James Camien McGuiggan Composer Gráinne Mulvey has recently released a new collection of her work, 'The Tyndall Effect: A Commemoration of Carlow-Born Scientist John Tyndall' on the Divine Art label. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
Trusting the Music, Testing the Direction: Irish National Opera’s Wagnerian Challenge Trusting the Music, Testing the Direction: Irish National Opera’s Wagnerian Challenge Adrian Smith Irish National Opera's production of Wagner's 'The Flying Dutchman' is currently running at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. Adrian Smith reviews the 25 March performance.
Tunes Closely Integrated with a Distinctive Flute Style Tunes Closely Integrated with a Distinctive Flute Style Adrian Scahill Flute player Conal Ó Gráda has just released a new album, 'Anú Abú', on the Raelach Records label. Adrian Scahill reviews.
Finding Common Ground? – Martin Hayes and the National Symphony Orchestra Finding Common Ground? – Martin Hayes and the National Symphony Orchestra James Camien McGuiggan Martin Hayes performed a series of three concerts with the National Symphony Orchestra over the past week, exploring music from the 'Peggy’s Dream' album. James Camien McGuiggan reviews the opening concert on Friday 14 March.
Realising Dreams for Irish Musicians: The Story of the Music Instrument Fund of Ireland Realising Dreams for Irish Musicians: The Story of the Music Instrument Fund of Ireland Gwendolyn Masin The Music Instrument Fund of Ireland (MIFI) celebrates 30 years in 2025 and is currently open for applications for auditions. Violinist Gwendolyn Masin tells the story of her family’s move to Ireland in the 1980s and the origins of the organisation founded by her father.
A Cultural Tug-of-War: Exploring the Early Years of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann A Cultural Tug-of-War: Exploring the Early Years of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Daithí Kearney Cork University Press has recently published 'Heading to the Fleadh: Festival, cultural revival and Irish traditional music, 1951–1969' by Méabh Ní Fhuartháin, a study of the Fleadh in its first two decades. Daithí Kearney reviews.
A Step in the Right Direction for Orchestral Programming A Step in the Right Direction for Orchestral Programming Adrian Smith The National Symphony Orchestra gave the Irish premiere of Ailís Ní Ríain's 'The Land Grows Weary of its Own' with Mahler's 'Das Lied von der Erde' at the NCH on 21 February. Adrian Smith reviews.
‘He was always there and always willing’: A Tribute to Dónal Lunny by Christy Moore ‘He was always there and always willing’: A Tribute to Dónal Lunny by Christy Moore Christy Moore The full speech given by Christy Moore at the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards when presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Dónal Lunny.
Karan Casey's Revolutionary Women Karan Casey's Revolutionary Women Méabh Ní Fhuartháin Singer Karan Casey recently performed her one-woman theatrical song cycle 'The Women, We Will Rise' at the Everyman Theatre in Cork. Méabh Ní Fhuartháin reviews.

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