Concorde presents a programme of new music from around the world in Galway on 16 and 17 July.

Starting at 2.00 p.m. on Saturday and continuing at 3.00 p.m., 4.00 p.m., 5.00 p.m. and on Sunday at 1.00 p.m in Galway Arts Centre there will be a series of thirty-minute performances featuring seven world premieres.

Guest soloists with Concorde are the ConTempo String Quartet, Galway’s Ensemble-in-Residence, and Harry Sparnaay, virtuoso bass clarinet player from Amsterdam.

The ConTempo Quartet performs Brian Boydell’s first String Quartet and joins Harry Sparnaay in a Japanese-inspired work for quartet and alto clarinet by Mark Clement Pollard.

The bass clarinet will be featured in performances by Concorde’s Paul Roe of newly commissioned solo works and by the extraordinary musician who has inspired hundreds of composers to write for the instrument, Harry Sparnaay.

The programme includes first performances of new works for bass clarinet commissioned with funds from the Arts Council from Irish composers Jane O’Leary, Stephen Gardner, Ronan Guilfoyle, Ed Bennett and Rob Cannning.

Also featured are a duo for two bass clarinets by Dutch composer Roderik de Man, a trio for clarinet, accordion and cello by Finnish composer Riika Talvitie, five Canons for voice, clarinet and bass clarinet by Webern. New works by Derek Kelly for solo cello and by UK-based Japanese composer Fumiko Miyachi for voice and instruments have been specially composed for this weekend.

As Concorde says, ‘Come Curious! Meet the musicians! Listen/Respond/Be inspired!’

Admission is free. Seating is limited and you are advised to bring cushions.

For performance details please visit the Calendar.

Posted: 29 June 2005