CMC announces the publication of the four new Irish works specially commissioned for this year's AXA Dublin International Piano Competition. Commissioned by RTÉ Lyric FM as test pieces for this year's AXA Dublin International Piano Competition, the four very different new works are by Frank Corcoran, Michael Holohan, Philip Martin and Ian Wilson. Competitors reaching the second round of the piano competition are required to perform one of these pieces so the 80 international entrants, all of them top-level aspiring concert pianists, must each select one of the works to prepare. In many cases, competitors from past years have kept the Irish pieces in their repertoire, ensuring a life for them beyond the immediate requirements of the competition.

The publishing of this fourth Piano Album by CMC with funding support from the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon is part of a long term collaboration with the Dublin Piano Competition. Since its inception in 1988 a total of 18 new piano works have been commissioned by the competition and published and promoted by CMC. This year for the first time the Arts Council did not award commissioning funds for the pieces, but RTÉ Lyric FM fortunately stepped in with their support. The Arts Council is still involved through its funding to CMC, which made the publication possible.

The AXA Dublin International Piano Competition takes place from 9-23 May 2003 and we look forward to the premiere performances and broadcasts of Frank Corcoran's Sweeney's Total Rondo, Michael Holohan's Monaincha, Philip Martin's In a Thousand Valleys Far and Wide and Ian Wilson's Verschwindend.

Copies of Piano Album IV are now available from CMC: see Shop for details.