A new work for flute and piano by Raymond Deane is to receive four performances in November.

Commissioned by flautist William Dowdall and pianist David Adams, and funded by the Arts Council, Ventalia is a 12-minute work that takes its name from the Greek word for ‘fan’. Its writing coincided with Deane researching the fans painted by Oskar Kokoschka for Alma Mahler and a reading of the artist’s play about their subsequent affair.

‘While my piece is in no sense a programmatic description of that play’s action,’ says Deane, ‘I’ve no doubt that it evokes something of its febrile atmosphere.’

Ventalia will have its premiere in St James Church, Mallow, Co. Cork on 9 November, with subsequent performances at St Cartage’s Cathedral, Lismore, Co. Waterford on 12 November; St Multose Church, Kinsale, Co. Cork on 13 November and Old St Mary’s Church, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary on 14 November.

For details, see our Calendar.

Posted: 3 September 2007