Focus

Unofficial Music History Unofficial Music History Mark Fitzgerald A new book by Kate Molleson, 'Sound Within Sound: Opening Our Ears to the Twentieth Century', explores the work of ten composers who have been left out of standard musical histories. Mark Fitzgerald reviews.
In-Depth Experience in West Cork In-Depth Experience in West Cork James Camien McGuiggan Returning for its first live festival since 2019, the West Cork Chamber Music Festival took place from 24 June to 3 July with over 100 concerts. James Camien McGuiggan attended for three days and reviews a number of events.
A Win for Smaller Offerings A Win for Smaller Offerings Andrea Cleary The Body & Soul festival returned on 17–19 June with a reduced capacity and a line-up including CMAT, Róisín Murphy, Pillow Queens and Jon Hopkins. Andrea Cleary reviews.
A Generation Without Hope A Generation Without Hope Shannon McNamee In the music of today, you can hear the hopelessness of today's youth as they face a catalogue of dark, gloomy issues, writes Shannon McNamee.
A Royal Conflict A Royal Conflict Brendan Finan Irish National Opera's production of Donizetti’s 'Maria Stuarda' opened in the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin at the weekend, ahead of dates in Cork, Wexford and Limerick. Brendan Finan reviews.
Natural New Directions Natural New Directions Brendan Finan Violist Nathan Sherman and percussionist Alex Petcu have recently released a new album that includes commissions from Benedict Schlepper-Connolly and Kate Moore as well as works by Ian Wilson and Berio. Brendan Finan reviews.
Representing Ireland's Damaged Past Representing Ireland's Damaged Past James Camien McGuiggan Farpoint Recordings have recently released 'SacrumProfanum' by composer Benjamin Dwyer, a work for ensemble and tape inspired by the medieval Sheela-na-gig carvings found in Ireland. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
Music Out of Time Music Out of Time Toner Quinn Music for Galway recently presented the world premiere of Gerald Barry's 'Cello Concerto' and the Irish premiere of Julia Wolfe's 'Wind in My Hair'. Toner Quinn reviews.
Intense Innovation: Jazz Clubs and the Evolution of Jazz Intense Innovation: Jazz Clubs and the Evolution of Jazz Ronan Guilfoyle On 26–28 May in the Bello Bar in Dublin, Dave Liebman and the Guilfoyle/Nielsen trio will try to emulate the atmosphere of the New York jazz clubs of the 1960s, with their long playing time and intimate atmosphere in which jazz originally developed. Here, Ronan Guilfoyle discusses what made the jazz club so essential to the music.
Sean-nós on Its Own Terms Sean-nós on Its Own Terms Adrian Scahill Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Ceara Conway and Inni-K have all recently released CDs that reimagine the performance of Irish sean-nós songs. Adrian Scahill reviews.

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