Benjamin Dwyer
Benjamin Dwyer Made Professor of Music
The Irish composer, guitarist and academic Benjamin Dwyer has been made Professor of Music at Middlesex University in London. Dwyer, says his music explores ‘the role of ritual and symbol — things we don’t think much about these days’. ‘In this world largely dictated by fast technology, consumer economics and conflict,’ he says, ‘I want my music to remind people of what it is to be human.’
Dwyer’s recent research has focussed on the music of György Ligeti. His chapter ‘Transformational Ostinati in György Ligeti’s Sonatas for Solo Cello and Solo Viola’ was published in the book György Ligeti: Of Foreign Lands and Strange Sounds last year.
As part of his new role, Dwyer will give his inaugural professorial lecture at Middlesex University in early 2013 alongside a concert featuring his major work, Umbilical. The work, which is based on the Oedipus myth, will be performed by Maya Homburger, Barry Guy and David Adams.
Dwyer also features in the December Kaleidoscope concert in Dublin, which is curated by Homburger and Guy this month. Dwyer will be performing his own guitar études as well as music by Manuel de Falla.
Later in the week, on Thursday, 6 December, a retrospective of Dwyer’s music will take place at the National Concert Hall, Dublin. The concert will feature seven of the composer’s work, including a new work titled Strange Country, written for amplified narrator, uilleann pipes and tape.
