Criticism

Commemorating 1916 By Not Thinking About It Commemorating 1916 By Not Thinking About It Barra Ó Séaghdha As part of Ireland's 1916 commemorative programme, the National Concert Hall hosted a series of seven major concerts 'inspired by the 1916 Proclamation'. But, writes Barra Ó Séaghdha, did the series meaningfully engage with this history, or were they 'arranged with a view to demonstrating our harmlessness to an imaginary outsider'?
Crash's Free State: Freedom and Responsibility Crash's Free State: Freedom and Responsibility John McLachlan John McLachlan attends Crash Ensemble's 9th 'Free State' concert, which offered a range of work from emerging Irish composers.
Diatribe Live: M.C. Schmidt/Jennifer Walshe/Nick Roth Diatribe Live: M.C. Schmidt/Jennifer Walshe/Nick Roth John McLachlan A night of improvised music hosted by the Diatribe label was experiential, experimental and more, writes John McLachlan.
Piano Concerto by Gerald Barry Piano Concerto by Gerald Barry Anna Murray Gerald Barry describes his new Piano Concerto as like a ‘play or opera’, with the relationship between piano and orchestra not what you would expect. Anna Murray attended the Irish premiere.
Ensemble Ériu – Stargazer Ensemble Ériu – Stargazer Toner Quinn Ensemble Ériu, a group that combines traditional, jazz and contemporary music, recently toured their new six-part suite 'Stargazer'. Toner Quinn attended the opening performance in Galway.
The Master's Return The Master's Return Dermot McLaughlin Frankie Gavin and Malachy Bourke's fiddle tribute to Paddy Killoran is not just about what the Sligo émigré played, but how he played, writes Dermot McLaughlin.
The Last Hotel The Last Hotel Dónal Sarsfield Dónal Sarsfield reviews 'The Last Hotel' at the Dublin Theatre Festival on 27 September.
Big Book, Small Back Room Big Book, Small Back Room Ciaran Carson Reading the Companion to Irish Traditional Music, Ciaran Carson reflects on the many ways traditional music has changed in recent decades, but also how much it has stayed the same.
Lives Defined in Death Lives Defined in Death Stephen Graham Stephen Graham attends the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group's premiere of Seán Clancy's Findetotenlieder and performances of Barry, Grisey and Weir.
The Teetotallers in Concert The Teetotallers in Concert Paul O'Connor Paul O'Connor on the joys of live music as delivered by Martin Hayes, Kevin Crawford and John Doyle.

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