Focus

A Homecoming Away from Home A Homecoming Away from Home Brendan Finan The Inishowen Trad Orchestra and Choir, conducted by Martin Tourish, presented a new work, 'Inishowen', at the National Concert Hall on 22 January. Brendan Finan reviews.
The Gradual Unfolding of Ideas The Gradual Unfolding of Ideas Adrian Smith Last week the National Symphony Orchestra performed four world premieres by Irish composers – orchestral works by Adam McCartney, Seán O’Dálaigh, Judith Ring and Karen Power. Adrian Smith reviews.
So That They are Not Lost So That They are Not Lost James Camien McGuiggan The Dublin-based Dutch soprano Judith Mok, born to Jewish survivors of the Holocaust, has recently published 'The State of Dark', a book telling the story of her family. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
'A Civilizational Battle': Russia, Ukraine and the Conflict Over Culture 'A Civilizational Battle': Russia, Ukraine and the Conflict Over Culture Adrian Smith There have been renewed calls for a boycott of Russian culture, but many Russian artists are at odds with the regime and we should support them, writes Adrian Smith.
Lesser-known Pathways of the Baroque in Ireland Lesser-known Pathways of the Baroque in Ireland Mark Fitzgerald The Irish Baroque Orchestra has recently released a third CD focusing on music that would have been heard in eighteenth-century Dublin, 'The Hibernian Muse – Music for Ireland by Purcell and Cousser', with Peter Whelan conducting and featuring the chamber choir Sestina. Mark Fitzgerald reviews.
One Voice, Many Paths One Voice, Many Paths Laura Watson Bono's new memoir, 'Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story', brings the reader from his formative years up to the present and explores the rise of U2, the band's catalogue of albums, his political campaigning, and family relationships. Laura Watson reviews.
Crash Looking Forward and Back Crash Looking Forward and Back Brendan Finan Crash Ensemble celebrated 25 years with two concerts at the NCH on 3–4 December. Brendan Finan reviews the Saturday performance, which featured a new work by Diamanda La Berge Dramm and Neva Elliott, and Donnacha Dennehy's 'Grá agus Bás'.
The Things That Keep People Connected The Things That Keep People Connected James Camien McGuiggan The 2022 Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival took place on 18–27 November and included a focus on Ireland and Australia as well as performances by Pat Thomas, Explore Ensemble and more. James Camien McGuiggan reviews the final weekend.
The Collector as Coloniser? The Collector as Coloniser? Mary Louise O’Donnell The University of Chicago Press has recently published a book on the influential Irish music collector Francis O'Neill, 'The Beat Cop – Chicago’s Chief O’Neill and the Creation of Irish Music' by Michael O’Malley. Mary Louise O'Donnell reviews.
10 Impossible Ideas for Irish Traditional Music 10 Impossible Ideas for Irish Traditional Music Toner Quinn A lot has been achieved in Irish traditional music over the past several decades, but what happens next? What are the challenges for this music, and how can the traditional music community work together to create an even better future? Below is the edited text of a talk given by Toner Quinn, Editor of the Journal of Music, on 24 November 2022 as part of Na Píobairí Uilleann’s 'Notes & Narratives' lecture series.

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