The four new Irish works commissioned for the 2006 AXA Dublin International Piano Competition are now available from CMC.

Composers Elaine Agnew, Rhona Clarke, John Gibson and John McLachlan were commissioned with funding from RTÉ lyric fm to write the test pieces for the semi-final round of this year’s competition.

Each competitor reaching the semifinals will choose one of the works to include in his or her programme in the National Concert Hall on 13 and 14 May.

This year, as in previous years, the Contemporary Music Centre has collaborated with the AXA Dublin International Piano Competition by publishing the new works. Since 1988 a total of 22 new piano pieces have been written for the competition, and published and promoted by CMC. Many competitors keep the Irish pieces in their repertoire after the competition, so this is a very important worldwide promotion for Irish composition.

Elaine Agnew’s work, Seagull, was inspired by a poem of the same title by Northern-Ireland based poet Chris Agee. Its central metaphor – a gull facing seawards on a spit of rock – evokes not only the natural borderland of sea and land, but the existential one between creation and void.

Tread Softly by Rhona Clarke was inspired by the last line of W. B. Yeats’ poem, He wishes for the Cloths of Heaven: ‘Tread softly because you tread on my dreams’. This is a subtle, expressive piece.

John Gibson’s Moladh go deo le Dia translates as ‘praise to God for ever’. In three continuous parts, it describes a dance with God.

Grand Action by John McLachlan was written in memory of a friend who was a pianist and piano technician.The title is a quirky reference to his trade and his pianism.

Copies of Piano Album V published by the Contemporary Music Centre are available from our online Shop or direct from the Contemporary Music Centre, price €25.00 plus postage and packing. Tel. +353(0)1-673 1922, email shop@cmc.ie

Publication of Piano Album V is supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon.

The support of RTÉ lyric fm, Ireland’s national music and arts station, in commissioning the new works is gratefully acknowledged. RTÉ lyric fm 96-99fm broadcasts around the country and also offers live stream via its web site.

Posted: 20 April 2006