The Art of Sound multi-media exhibition opened in Cork Public Museum on 4 May and ran until 31 May. Devised by the Contemporary Music Centre in partnership with the Music Department of University College Cork, The Art of Sound was funded by Cork 2005: European Capital of Culture with the concerts and seminar supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon; the Music Department of University College Cork; Pro Helvetia, Arts Council of Switzerland; the Swiss Embassy and Cork Public Museum.

The exhibition looks at new music making from the first idea through to the final performance. The creative process usually takes place behind closed doors, but this multi-media exhibition brings it to life through striking photographs of the composers and images of their work. An audio-guide narrated by Eamonn Lawlor, RTE LyricFM, brings to life the music that is displayed.

The Art of Sound features photographer Eugene Langan’s dramatic and perceptive photographs of Irish composers. Rare manuscripts by Cork composers Seán O'Riada and Aloys Fleischmann feature alongside graphic scores, which are visual artworks as well as music. There is even one composition printed on a t-shirt! To show that music can be written for any medium, a fanfare has been specially commissioned for the famous Bells of Shandon from Adrian Gebruers.

Cork 2005
www.cork2005.ie

University College Cork Music Department
www.music.ucc.ie

Pro Helvetia
www.pro-helvetia.ch

Eugene Langan
www.eugenelangan.com

RTÉ Lyric FM
www.rte.ie/lyricfm

Instrumentation includes voice, cello, percussion, miniature keyboards, string, cards, chocolate and much more!

AGNES NIXON plays with light and colour
A concert which focuses on the different methods of notating sounds, colours, mental states and relationships in experimental music. This concert features two new works, one by Andrew Hamilton and another by Jennifer Walshe alongside a programme of works by John Cage, Jerry Hunt, Emmett Williams and Anton Lukoszevieze. All works will be performed by Walshe and Lukoszevieze.

6 May 2005, 1.00 pm. Half Moon Theatre, Cork Opera House, Cork.
Admission free.

In keeping with its particular blend of music, video, and electronics, the Crash Ensemble presents an exciting multi-media concert featuring a new work by John Godfrey, the result of the UCC Student Composer Competition, alongside works by Roger Doyle, Alvin Lucier, Judith Ring, Donnacha Costello and Philip Glass. This concert also premieres a new video commission by Simon Doyle to accompany Music in Similar Motion by Philip Glass.

7 May 2005, 9.30pm. Half Moon Theatre, Cork Opera House, Cork.
Tickets 20/10
Booking: 021-427 0022

www.crashensemble.com

A seminar featuring performances by Barry Guy (double-bass) and Maya Homburger (baroque violin).

Guy is a virtuoso double-bass player and composer. His scores are graphic and are interesting artworks in their own right. Often virtuosic, they present innovative sonorities which Guy and Homburger demonstrate in this seminar with performances.

Guy will talk about his sources of inspiration, which are architecture, poetry and visual artists such as Alan Davie and Albert Irvin. The score of Un Coup de Dés which is included in The Art of Sound exhibition relates to architectural projects by Peter Eisenman, Richard Rogers and the poetry of Stéphane Mallarmé. This piece, written for the Hilliard Ensemble, was joint prizewinner in the 1994 Hilliard Composition Prize.

There will also be a performance of Ceremony for baroque violin, which incorporates new techniques and free improvisational material, and Barry Guy and Maya Homburger will perform works from their latest CD, Dakryon.

8 May 2005, 4.00pm. Cork Public Museum, Fitzgerald Park, Cork.
Admission free.
Booking: +353 01-673 1922.

www.barryguy.com

Further details on all events are available from the CMC calendar.