Focus

Getting to What Remains Getting to What Remains Don O'Mahony Musician and composer Shane Latimer has just released a new album, 'Residuum', on the Diatribe label. Don O'Mahony reviews.
An Ambitious Musical Exploration of Migration and the Climate Crisis An Ambitious Musical Exploration of Migration and the Climate Crisis Brendan Finan Music for Galway's 9-day Cellissimo festival, with a strong focus on the issues of migration and the climate crisis, began on 18 May. Brendan Finan reviews the opening weekend.
Making Bedfellows of Traditional Music and Experimental Theatre Making Bedfellows of Traditional Music and Experimental Theatre Don O'Mahony Accordion player Danny O'Mahony and theatre company Brokentalkers toured their show 'Bellow' earlier this year. Don O'Mahony reviews.
How Ireland Thinks About Music How Ireland Thinks About Music Toner Quinn Does Ireland have its own way of thinking about music? How might this perspective have developed? And could it explain the current dynamism in Irish musical life? In this essay, the edited text of a talk given at Farmleigh House on 11 May, Journal of Music Editor Toner Quinn explores these questions and more.
Britain's National Musical Paradox Britain's National Musical Paradox Christopher Fox BBC Radio 3 recently broadcast a six-part series, ‘The Land Without Music?’, exploring the current musical landscape in Britain. Christopher Fox reviews.
Challenging and Curious – New Music Dublin: Days 1 and 4 Challenging and Curious – New Music Dublin: Days 1 and 4 Brendan Finan New Music Dublin took place at the National Concert Hall and other venues in the city from 25 to 28 April with many world and Irish premieres. Brendan Finan reviews days 1 and 4. For a review of days 2 and 3 by James Camien McGuiggan, see the link below.
Excellence But Lacking Surprise – New Music Dublin: Days 2 and 3 Excellence But Lacking Surprise – New Music Dublin: Days 2 and 3 James Camien McGuiggan New Music Dublin took place at the National Concert Hall and other venues in the city from 25 to 28 April with many world and Irish premieres. James Camien McGuiggan reviews days 2 and 3. For a review of days 1 and 4 by Brendan Finan see the link below.
Revealing the Thinking Behind the Music: Seán Clancy's 'Four Sections of Music Unequally Divided' Revealing the Thinking Behind the Music: Seán Clancy's 'Four Sections of Music Unequally Divided' James Camien McGuiggan Composer Seán Clancy has just released a recording of 'Four Sections of Music Unequally Divided' on the Birmingham Record Company label. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
The Coloniser’s View: Stanford's 'Shamus O'Brien' The Coloniser’s View: Stanford's 'Shamus O'Brien' Brendan Finan Retrospect Opera has recently released a recording of Charles Villers Stanford's 1896 opera 'Shamus O’Brien', telling the story of an Irish rebel. Brendan Finan reviews.
The Importance of Ensembles to the New Music Scene The Importance of Ensembles to the New Music Scene Adrian Smith The Music Current contemporary festival was held at the Project Arts Centre in Dublin last week from 2 to 6 April and featured TAK Ensemble, Dublin Sound Lab, Black Page Orchestra, Nadar Ensemble and lovemusic collective. Adrian Smith reviews.

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