Focus

Polyrhythms and Púcaí Polyrhythms and Púcaí Adrian Smith The 12th Fidelio Trio Winter Chamber Music Festival took place on 22–24 November in Belvedere House, Dublin, and featured works by Shaun Davey, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Niall Vallely and Ailís Ní Riain, as well as marking the centenary of the death of Gabriel Fauré. Adrian Smith reviews.
Mapping Ireland’s Musical Identity Mapping Ireland’s Musical Identity Lillis Ó Laoire A new three-part series exploring music in Ireland, 'Creedon's Musical Atlas of Ireland' presented by John Creedon, was recently broadcast on RTÉ One. Lillis Ó Laoire reviews.
What’s Next for Irish Music? What’s Next for Irish Music? Toner Quinn What does the recent trajectory of the arts in Ireland – from Arts Council funding increases to the Basic Income pilot – mean for musicians? How can we further strengthen music across Ireland? And what do these developments mean for the tradition of the Irish harp? This is an edited version of the Harp Ireland/Cruit Éireann Annual Lecture, given by Toner Quinn on 17 November 2024 at the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
A New Voice, Thoughtful and Still A New Voice, Thoughtful and Still Brendan Finan Ergodos has just released 'Sea Salt and Turpentine', the debut album from composer Caterina Schembri featuring the Ficino Ensemble and Michelle O'Rourke. Brendan Finan reviews.
A Solution in Search of a Problem A Solution in Search of a Problem James Camien McGuiggan Singer-songwriter Lisa O’Neill performed with the National Symphony Orchestra on 16 November as part of the Tradition Now festival at the NCH. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
In Bravo Company: Yeats, Shakespeare and the Unexpected In Bravo Company: Yeats, Shakespeare and the Unexpected Brendan Finan New Dublin Voices performed six newly commissioned settings of Yeats poems at the Pepper Canister Church on 9 November as well as works by Matthew Harris and Jaakko Mäntyjärvi. Brendan Finan reviews.
The Absence of Meaning is a Choice The Absence of Meaning is a Choice Brendan Finan Jennifer Walshe's new album, 'URSONATE%24', is an AI-generated setting of a Dadaist sound poem. Brendan Finan reviews.
What Will the 2024 Election Mean for Music and the Arts? What Will the 2024 Election Mean for Music and the Arts? Toner Quinn Despite funding increases, pressing questions remain about the state of arts funding and support, writes Toner Quinn.
The Entanglement – AI, Platform Musicking and the Future of Music The Entanglement – AI, Platform Musicking and the Future of Music Jennifer Walshe Given the vast amount of user data that streaming platforms have now amassed, combined with advancing AI technology, it is only a matter of time until they offer the ability to generate music, writes Jennifer Walshe. But what does this mean for the future of the art form?
Friendly But Demanding Friendly But Demanding Adrian Smith A new release from composer Andrew Hamilton and Crash Ensemble asks the question: can music be kind? Adrian Smith reviews.

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