Criticism

A Wealth of Musics in West Cork A Wealth of Musics in West Cork Brendan Finan The West Cork Chamber Music Festival in Bantry, Co. Cork, took place from 23 June to 2 July and featured Ensemble Diderot, Trio Gaspard, Armida Quartet, Mairéad Hickey, Anna Devin, Lotte Betts-Dean, Caroline Melzer and more. Brendan Finan reviews the final weekend.
Unconventional Éire Unconventional Éire Don O'Mahony TG4's new series 'Éire Eile', presented by Cóilí Collins (DJ Shampain) explores subcultures and alternative scenes in Ireland, including interviews with Strange Boy, Problem Patterns and the Mary Wallopers. Don O'Mahony reviews.
Embracing the Louth Spirit Embracing the Louth Spirit Brendan Finan The Louth Contemporary Music Festival took place last weekend and featured American composer Caroline Shaw, new work by Linda Catlin Smith, Cassandra Miller and Sam Perkin, and a version of Terry Riley's 'In C' performed by Irish traditional musicians. Brendan Finan reviews.
Finding New Sounds in Sean-nós Finding New Sounds in Sean-nós Adrian Scahill The singer Síle Denvir has recently released a new sean-nós album, 'Anamnesis', produced by John Reynolds. Adrian Scahill reviews.
Listen Closer Listen Closer Thomas Neill 'Voces amissae', a new work by composer Ian Wilson, was premiered at the Dublin International Chamber Music Festival on 9 June in Dublin Castle. Thomas Neill reviews.
Minor Melancholia Minor Melancholia Adrian Smith 'The Blue Light', a new album by composer Garrett Sholdice, has just been released on the Ergodos label. Adrian Smith reviews.
Nurturing a New Generation of Sean-nós Singers Nurturing a New Generation of Sean-nós Singers Toner Quinn TG4 recently broadcast 'Bláth na hÓige', a seven-part series focusing on the emerging generation of sean-nós singers, and the music has just been released on the Gael Linn label. Toner Quinn reviews.
In the Presence of Potts In the Presence of Potts Brendan Finan The premiere of Neil Ó Lochlainn's new suite 'Tairseach', inspired by the music of fiddle player Tommie Potts, took place at Solstice Arts Centre on 26 May. Brendan Finan reviews.
The Many Sides of Erased Tapes The Many Sides of Erased Tapes Drew Stephens On 20 May, the National Concert Hall hosted an evening of concerts to mark 15 years of the Erased Tapes contemporary music label. Drew Stephens reviews.
A Hard-hitting Commentary on the Experience of Asylum Seekers A Hard-hitting Commentary on the Experience of Asylum Seekers Brendan Finan Composer Jamie Thompson's Adjunct Ensemble has just released 'Sovereign Bodies / Ritual Taxonomy' on the Diatribe label, focusing on the ordeal of asylum seekers. Brendan Finan reviews.

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