Focus
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.
The Evolution Across a Composer’s Career
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
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
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
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
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.