The Contemporary Music Centre in Dublin has launched its 2013 Salon Series. The series aims to provide an informal performance environment in which musicians talk about the music (sometimes with the presence of its composer) and the audience is encouraged to ask questions. The music performed is exclusively by Irish composers.

The events in this year’s series all take place in the Kevin Barry Room of the National Concert Hall, Dublin, with events at 6pm on the last Thursday of the month, starting in March.

Clarinettist Paul Roe and accordion player Dermot Dunne will open the series on Thursday, 28 March, with compositions by Ann Cleare, Gráinne Mulvey, Jane O’Leary, Martin O’Leary and Ailís Ní Riain. On 25 April, work by the video artist Marie Hanlon will feature alongside pre-recorded electronic music and performances from members of the Concorde ensemble — composers featured are Emma O’Halloran, Rhona Clarke, Gráinne Mulvey and Jane O’Leary.

The third concert in the series, on 30 May, will feature solo vioin repertoire performed by Clíodhna Ryan, including a new work for solo violin by Ian Wilson.

Admission to the concerts is free.

cmc.ie