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An Unnecessary Return to Roots An Unnecessary Return to Roots James Camien McGuiggan Composer Dave Flynn has just released a collection of his early classical guitar music, including his 'Three Minimalist Pieces', a selection of études, and pieces influenced by traditional music. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
Making the Gaeltacht Their Own Making the Gaeltacht Their Own Toner Quinn Stiúideo Cuan's summer concert series featured the Conamara post-rock group Trá Pháidín on 11 July. Toner Quinn reviews.
Letting the Sounds Exist: The Piano Works of Annea Lockwood Letting the Sounds Exist: The Piano Works of Annea Lockwood Anna Murray Pianist Xenia Pestova Bennett has just released 'Annea Lockwood – The Piano Works', comprising four works by the American composer. Anna Murray reviews.
A Mass Amidst a Housing Crisis: Amanda Feery’s 'NEST' A Mass Amidst a Housing Crisis: Amanda Feery’s 'NEST' Adrian Smith Launched this month at the Cork Midsummer Festival, Amanda Feery's new album contains a 43-minute work that the composer describes as a Mass for tenants. Adrian Smith reviews.
Curated with Care in Dundalk Curated with Care in Dundalk James Camien McGuiggan The Louth Contemporary Music Festival on 13 and 14 June in Dundalk featured Daisy Press, Daan Vandewalle, Apartment House and the Aleph Guitar Quartet. James Camien McGuiggan reviews
A ‘Modest Uplift’ or Major Neglect? Music and the Arts in Northern Ireland A ‘Modest Uplift’ or Major Neglect? Music and the Arts in Northern Ireland Michael Quinn The Arts Council of Northern Ireland announced a 'modest uplift' for arts organisations this month, but after two decades of cuts and stand-still budgets, it is not enough, writes Michael Quinn.
The Paradox Only Partially Resolved: Bono's Stories of Surrender The Paradox Only Partially Resolved: Bono's Stories of Surrender Brendan Finan A new film about Bono is drawn from the singer's autobiographical show at the Beacon Theatre in New York. Brendan Finan reviews.
Pushing the Possibilities Pushing the Possibilities Adrian Smith British ensemble The Hermes Experiment opened this year's Dublin International Chamber Music Festival. Adrian Smith reviews.
A Deep Engagement with the Tradition A Deep Engagement with the Tradition Adrian Smith Composer Seán Doherty has recently released 'The Devil’s Dream', a collection of chamber works inspired by Irish traditional music, featuring the Sonoro Quartet, Sylvia O’Brien and Mark Redmond. Adrian Smith reviews.
‘That is the Writer’s Decision!’: The Legacy of Desmond Fennell ‘That is the Writer’s Decision!’: The Legacy of Desmond Fennell Toner Quinn To mark the publication of 'The Radical Thinking of Desmond Fennell' on 6 June, Journal of Music Editor Toner Quinn reflects on his experiences working with the writer and their correspondence over almost twenty years.

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