Features 2006

What's it like to be Ukeoirn O'Connor? [December]
A short, informal question and answer interview with Grúpat member Ukeoirn O'Connor.

An Interview with Colin Mawby [December]

'You can’t teach yourself inspiration,’ says choral composer Colin Mawby, ‘that comes from within you.' He talks to Jonathan Grimes about his musical background, his conducting career, and his approach to composing.

What's it like to be Colin Mawby? [December]
A short, informal question and answer interview with Colin Mawby.

An Interview with Victor Lazzarini [November]

‘The craft of electronic music has always interested me’, says Brazilian-born composer Victor Lazzarini, who’s work will be performed by the EAR Ensemble in the Composers’ Choice Series at the National Concert Hall later this month.

What's it like to be Victor Lazzarini? [November]
A short, informal question and answer interview with Victor Lazzarini.

An Interview with Brian Irvine [September]

'I've always thought of music composition as some sort of giant playground', says Brian Irvine, whose music will be performed by the Ulster Orchestra this month. 'I just want to be able to go on all the rides.'

What's it like to be Brian Irvine? [September]
A short, informal question and answer interview with Brian Irvine.

An Interview with Fergal Dowling [August]

Electro-acoustic composer Fergal Dowling has recently completed a three-year DPhil in Composition at York University. He talks to Jonathan Grimes about his upcoming projects, his approach to composing, and his involvement with the EAR Ensemble.

What's it like to be Fergal Dowling? [August]
A short, informal question and answer interview with Fergal Dowling.

An Interview with Philip Martin [July]

Having premiered his third piano concerto earlier this year, Philip Martin plans on writing a fourth. 'Rachmaninoff didn't stop', he says, 'why should I?'

What's it like to be Philip Martin? [July]
A short, informal question and answer interview with Philip Martin.

An Interview with Ed Bennett [May]

'I enjoy getting feedback from other artists and the discussion that you can have', says Ed Bennett. He talks to Jonathan Grimes about his upcoming projects, the composing process, writing for orchestra, and how he enjoys collaborating with other artists.

What's it like to be Ed Bennett? [May]
A short, informal question and answer interview with Ed Bennett.

An Interview with Rachel Holstead [April]

Having recently travelled to Antarctica to research a new commission, Rachel Holstead is currently on a two-month residency in Banff, Canada. Her new work for the Irish Chamber Orchestra will be premiered next month.

What's it like to be Rachel Holstead? [April]
A short, informal question and answer interview with Rachel Holstead.

An Interview with Judith Ring [March]

Electro-acoustic composer Judith Ring is currently studying a PhD in composition at York University with the assistance of the Arts Council's Elizabeth Maconchy Fellowship.

What's it like to be Judith Ring? [March]
A short, informal question and answer interview with Judith Ring.

An Interview with John Buckley [January]

With three major orchestral works planned for this year, 2006 promises to be a productive year for John Buckley.

What's it like to be John Buckley? [January]
A short, informal question and answer interview with John Buckley.

Contemporary Music from Ireland, Volume Six [October]

Featuring interviews and audio clips with a selection of composers and performers, this audio podcast provides a stimulating introduction to CMC's latest release, Contemporary Music from Ireland, Volume Six.

Old City/New Music: A Music Trail in Dublin's Temple Bar [June]

Featuring composer interviews and sound clips, this special audio feature profiles the Contemporary Music Centre's 'Old City/New Music' outdoor sound installations. The project ran in CMC's own neighbourhood in Dublin's Temple Bar throughout June 2006, to celebrate the Centre's 20th anniversary.

The Programming of New Music: A Seminar at the Contemporary Music Centre [March]

What is the best way to programme new music? How do you reach out to audiences when presenting unfamiliar works? And has anyone found the secret of success? A seminar in the Contemporary Music Centre looked at some of the issues.

Twenty Years of the Contemporary Music Centre (1986-2006) [February]

Presented by Bernard Clarke of RTÉ lyric fm, this 17-minute audio podcast looks at the history of the Centre and speaks to people who use its resources as well as some of the staff who work there.

A Short History of Grúpat [December]
Stuart Fresh traces the origins and development of the South Dublin-based Grúpat collective.

Visual Arts and New Music: A Seminar at the Contemporary Music Centre [November]
As part of its 20th Anniversary series, the Contemporary Music Centre held a seminar focussing on collaborations across music and visual arts on Wednesday, 8 November. Niamh Tumelty, CMC's Music Information Officer, reports.