irish composers project: a digital archive for Irish contemporary music

Frederick May, 1911-1985

Frederick May 2011 marks the centenary of the birth of Irish composer, Frederick May. Often described as one of the most innovative composers of his generation, May is regarded by many as one of the founding fathers of Irish music in the Twentieth Century.

The Contemporary Music Centre commemorates May's centenary year with a collection of digital materials featuring selected scores, recordings and related materials.

Scores and recordings

Articles

Biographical

The Bell Magazine

Irish Times

score pages

Audio material

Composers at work (tracks 1-6)
Recorded 24 May 1958. Producer Michael Garvey. Presenter Henry Comerford © RTÉ, reproduced by kind permission of RTÉ Libraries and Sound Archives.

Three-O-One [extracts] (track 7)
A rare audio interview with Fred May by Donncha O'Dulaing. Recorded 18 February 1975. © RTÉ, reproduced by kind permission of RTÉ Libraries and Sound Archives.

* introduction by presenter
** introduction by composer

back to top