Criticism

Elevator Music for Political Times Elevator Music for Political Times James Camien McGuiggan Composer Anselm McDonnell has recently released 'Politics of the Imagination', an album featuring rappers Barrowclough, Joel the Custodian and Kosyne with musicians from the London Symphony Orchestra and Crash Ensemble. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
The Power of New Music The Power of New Music Brendan Finan The New Music Dublin festival ended on Sunday (6 April) with concerts from the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and Chamber Choir Ireland, Evlana Ensemble, Crash Ensemble, Quiet Music Ensemble, Cór Linn and Cór na nÓg. Brendan Finan reviews.
Looking for the ‘New’ in New Music Dublin Looking for the ‘New’ in New Music Dublin Adrian Smith New Music Dublin last Friday evening featured the world premiere of John Buckley's Clarinet Concerto as well as Ed Bennett’s 'All Earth Once Drowned' featuring Decibel and Cherry Smyth. Adrian Smith reviews.
Stars and Social Justice Mark Start of New Music Dublin Stars and Social Justice Mark Start of New Music Dublin Brendan Finan The 2025 New Music Dublin festival took place last week at the National Concert Hall and various other venues around the city. In the first of our reviews, Brendan Finan writes about the opening concerts on Wednesday and Thursday (2–3 April).
Abstract Music Belies the Tyndall Effect Abstract Music Belies the Tyndall Effect James Camien McGuiggan Composer Gráinne Mulvey has recently released a new collection of her work, 'The Tyndall Effect: A Commemoration of Carlow-Born Scientist John Tyndall' on the Divine Art label. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
Trusting the Music, Testing the Direction: Irish National Opera’s Wagnerian Challenge Trusting the Music, Testing the Direction: Irish National Opera’s Wagnerian Challenge Adrian Smith Irish National Opera's production of Wagner's 'The Flying Dutchman' is currently running at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. Adrian Smith reviews the 25 March performance.
Tunes Closely Integrated with a Distinctive Flute Style Tunes Closely Integrated with a Distinctive Flute Style Adrian Scahill Flute player Conal Ó Gráda has just released a new album, 'Anú Abú', on the Raelach Records label. Adrian Scahill reviews.
Finding Common Ground? – Martin Hayes and the National Symphony Orchestra Finding Common Ground? – Martin Hayes and the National Symphony Orchestra James Camien McGuiggan Martin Hayes performed a series of three concerts with the National Symphony Orchestra over the past week, exploring music from the 'Peggy’s Dream' album. James Camien McGuiggan reviews the opening concert on Friday 14 March.
A Step in the Right Direction for Orchestral Programming A Step in the Right Direction for Orchestral Programming Adrian Smith The National Symphony Orchestra gave the Irish premiere of Ailís Ní Ríain's 'The Land Grows Weary of its Own' with Mahler's 'Das Lied von der Erde' at the NCH on 21 February. Adrian Smith reviews.
Karan Casey's Revolutionary Women Karan Casey's Revolutionary Women Méabh Ní Fhuartháin Singer Karan Casey recently performed her one-woman theatrical song cycle 'The Women, We Will Rise' at the Everyman Theatre in Cork. Méabh Ní Fhuartháin reviews.

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