The 2008 Music 21 series takes place during September and October.

Four Irish premieres and one World premiere will be heard in the seven-concert series at three venues in Dublin. The first performances add to the series' existing tally of 70 Irish premieres and 15 world premieres since its launch in 1999.

The series will open with an-all Messiaen concert from pianist Ian Pace on Monday 8 September in the National Concert Hall. The same venue also plays host to Elizabeth Cooney (violin) and Bobby Chen (piano) on Friday 12 September, with a programme of music by Messiaen, Benjamin Dwyer and the world premiere of Greg Caffrey's Vigour, Rigour, Jigger.

On Friday 19 September, guitarist Stephan Schmidt includes two Irish premieres in a concert devoted to the music of the Moroccan-born composer Maurice Ohana, and on Friday 26 September, Maya Homburger (violin) and Barry Guy (double bass) give first performancess of two works by Guy alongside music by Benjamin Dwyer and György Kurtág. The concluding concert is on Friday 3 October, when Kenneth Edge (saxophone) and Izumi Kamura (piano) play a range of music from Brazil. All NCH concerts begin at 2pm; with the exception of the 8pm start for the opening concert.

Two other concerts explore the repertoire for cello and electronic media (Andrzej Bauer at Liberty Hall, Eden Quay on Friday 19 September, 8pm) and free improvised jazz, with Barry Guy and pianist Agustí Fernández, at the Suger Club, Lower Leeson Street, at 8pm on Wednesday 24 September.

For details, see our calendar or visit www.music21.ie

Posted: 3 September 2008