amplify Contemporary Music Centre

In this episode, we hear from Anselm McDonnell about his new release, Kraina, an album drawing on the themes of home and displacement. 



Show Notes



Anselm McDonnell (CMC Composer Page)

This interview was recorded on location by Evonne Ferguson at Queen's University, Belfast on 22 March 2024. It was recorded before the launch of Kraina which took place on the same date in the Harty Room in Queen's University, presented by CMC in partnership with Moving On Music, Belfast. The launch featured a performance by Cahal Masterson (piano) and Rebecca Murphy (soprano) of works from this new release.



Music



All music featured is taken from the album, Kraina available to purchase on Bandcamp



In order of appearance in the episode:

Anselm McDonnell - Kraina I. Jeżeli Porcelana

Cahal Masterson - pianoRebecca Murphy - sopranoJonny McGuinness - recording engineer

Anselm McDonnell - Kraina II. The House on the Interface

Cahal Masterson - pianoRebecca Murphy - sopranoJonny McGuinness - recording engineer

Anselm McDonnell - Her Name is Sorrow

Dermot Dunne - accordionJoshua Ellicott - tenorLaura Sinnerton - violaRichard Brown - recording engineer

Episode Credits



Editing: Keith FennellRecording: Evonne Ferguson and Keith Fennell

Show Notes


We Only Want the Earth
Listen to episode 1
Article about the series on RTÉ Culture


Robert Coleman and Larissa O’Grady - Capturing Sound
Judith Ring
CMC Composer Page


Larissa O’Grady

In this special bonus episode of amplify, Jonathan Grimes speaks to Brian Bridges about his new work, Ramp Waves which he performed at Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival back in November.

Show Notes
Michel Chion: Requiem @ HCMF

This concert commemorated the 50th anniversary of the premier performance of Michel Chion’s Requiem at the Théâtre Récamier in Paris in 1973

Music

Ramp Waves was recorded live at Belfast Festival on 13 October 2023.

This interview was recorded on 22 November 2023 at Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.
Editing: Keith Fennell

CMC travelled to Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival back in November. Whilst there we had the great pleasure of interviewing some of Ireland's finest exponents of new music who were performing at the festival. This episode features interviews with Kirkos, Stone Drawn Circles, Jennifer Walshe and Andreas Borregaard

Show Notes

Music



Thank you to the composers, performers, BBC and Music Network for permission to use the recordings featured in this episode.

In order of appearance in the episode:



Excerpts from Kirkos - Beginner's Guide to Slow Travel (2023) performed and composed collaboratively by Sebastian Adams, Robert Coleman, Yseult Cooper Stockdale, Jane Hackett, Hannah Miller and Joan Somers Donnelly. Recorded live on 21 November at HCMF 2023 by Jonathan Grimes.
Excerpt from Karen Power - can you hear me now???? (2019) performed by Stone Drawn Circles. Recorded live on 21 November 2023 at HCMF 2023 by the BBC.

Excerpt form Úna Monaghan - In Formation (2023) performed by Stone Drawn Circles. Recorded live on 21 November 2023 at HCMF 2023 by the BBC.

Excerpt from Jennifer Walshe - Oscailt (2023) performed by Jennifer Walshe (vocalist), Elizabeth Hilliard (soprano), Nick Roth (saxophone) and Panos Ghikas (viola/electronics). Recorded live at Riverbank Arts Centre on 20 September 2023 by The Rise Studio.

Interviews recorded on location at HCMF 2023 by Evonne Ferguson and Jonathan Grimes.
Editing: Keith Fennell and Jonathan Grimes.

A very special live podcast event hosted by CMC at this year's Irish Composition Summer School to mark the recent centenary of James Wilson's birth, which took place in 2022, as well as celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Summer School.

Show Notes

This event featured a programme of works by James Wilson, Martin O'Leary and John Buckley performed by Martin O'Leary (piano) and Patrick Burke (clarinet). The event also included a panel of former students, colleagues and friends of James Wilson including Rhona Clarke, Jane O'Leary, John Buckley, Martin O'Leary and John McLachlan, hosted by CMC's Jonathan Grimes.

Recorded live at The Square, Irish Institute of Music & Song, Balbriggan, Dublin.

Music

Live performances in order of appearance

John Buckley Jim Singing (1992) - Performed by Martin O’Leary (piano)

Martin O’Leary Jim’s Air from Jimnopodie (1992) - Performed by Martin O’Leary (piano)

James Wilson Three Play Things for Clarinet (1983) - Performed by Patrick Burke (clarinet)

James Wilson Five Preludes for piano Op.87 (1982) - Performed by Martin O’Leary (piano)

Further Notes
Recording: Paul Lynch
Editing and mixing: Keith Fennell

Recorded during the summer, Evonne Ferguson attended RAMP, the Rathmullan Music Project in Donegal for it's inaugural year. Whilst there Evonne spoke with project directors, Rob Casey and Peter Doherty about the inspiration for launching the project as well as speaking to some of the performers and composers taking part in the project including Una Lee, Xenia Pestova Bennett and Rhodri Davis.

Show Notes


RAMP is an initiative run by the Northern Lights Project in association with Earagail Arts Festival.



Music



Performers and composers in order of appearance on the episode:


Rob Casey (piano), Ailbhe Nic Oireachtaigh (viola), David Lacey (percussion),Aonghus McEvoy (guitar)
Xenia Pestova Bennett (piano)
Una Lee (voice) & Aonghus McEvoy (guitar)
Una Lee & Landless (voices)
Rhodri Davies (harp)

All music featured in this episode of the podcast was recorded live at RAMP 2023.

Recording: Evonne FergusonEditing: Keith Fennell