A new Double Trio by Ian Wilson has been commissioned under the Per Cent for Art programme.

It forms part of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council's 'Place & Identity' series of public art commissions funded through the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It was written during the summer and autumn of 2008 as the main focus of a one-year residency in the Glencullen area of the county.

It follows on from Wilson's septet re:play, where an improvising saxophonist and a 'classical' sextet came together in music which was partly improvised (for the saxophonist). Double Trio is written for three improvisers (playing saxophone, double bass and drums) and three classical musicians (playing violin, vibraphone and harp) and takes, like re:play, its initial inspiration from speech rhythms and melodies.

In the case of Double Trio, the material comes from a number of interviews Ian conducted with residents of the Glencullen area, where they discussed how they felt about the changes the area had undergone—or not—during the time of the Celtic Tiger economic boom. The intention was to create an exciting and inventive musical work and at the same time attempt to paint a musical picture of life at that point in Glencullen, one of the least spoiled parts of the county and, paradoxically, one of the areas which has seen most development.

The musicians are Cathal Roche (saxophone), Daniel Bodwell (bass) and Stu Ritchie (drums) with Mia Cooper (violin), Cliona Doris (harp) and Richard O'Donnell (vibraphone).

Double Trio lasts approximately 45 minutes and is in eight main sections, each one inspired by one of the interviews. The work will be recorded for CD release in February 2009, and the Irish label Diatribe Records will issue the CD in time for the first performances.

The première of Double Trio takes place on 4 April 2009 in Marlay Park House, Rathfarnham at 1:00 pm with a second performance in Kilternan Church of Ireland at 8:00 pm. Tickets are free but booking is essential through the Arts Office on 01-271 9530. For details please visit the Calendar.

Further information: Ciara King, Public Art Programme Administrator cking@dlrcoco.ie and telephone 01271 9529.

Posted: 11 February 2009