nurturing the composition and performance of new Irish music

For Immediate Release

The Art of Sound - A Glimpse Into the Creativity of Some Irish Composers

Dublin, 21 April 2005

Want to meet some of Ireland's new music makers? See what they look like; hear how they think and how they get their ideas down on paper?

The Art of Sound opening in Cork Public Museum on 4 May looks at new music making from the first idea through to the final performance. The creative process usually takes place behind closed doors, but this multimedia exhibition brings it to life through striking photographs of the composers and images of their work. An audio-guide narrated by Eamonn Lawlor, RTE LyricFM, brings to life the music that is displayed.

The Art of Sound features photographer Eugene Langan’s dramatic and perceptive photographs of Irish composers. Rare manuscripts by Cork composers Seán O'Riada and Aloys Fleischmann feature alongside graphic scores, which are visual artworks as well as music. There is even one composition printed on a t-shirt! To show that music can be written for any medium, a fanfare has been specially commissioned for the famous Bells of Shandon from Adrian Gebruers.

Accompanying the exhibition, two new music concerts on 6 and 7 May and a seminar on 8 May bring some of the composers to Cork to play their music and meet the audience.

Devised by the Contemporary Music Centre in partnership with the Music Department of University College Cork, The Art of Sound is funded by Cork 2005: European Capital of Culture with the concerts and seminar supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon; the Music Department of University College Cork; Pro Helvetia, Arts Council of Switzerland; the Swiss Embassy and Cork Public Museum.

Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, University of Limerick, officially opens the exhibition at 6.00pm on Wednesday 4 May 2005.

For full details of accompanying concerts and seminar please see attached programme.

For further information on all events please contact Karen Hennessy, Promotion Manager,The Contemporary Music Centre, 19 Fishamble Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 8. Tel: 01 673 1922 email: khennessy@cmc.ie

The Art of Sound

Presented by the Contemporary Music Centre and University College Cork as part of Cork 2005: European Capital of Culture

Programme of Events

4 - 31 May 2005		Dalton Gallery, Cork Public Museum, Fitzgerald Park, Cork
The Art of Sound - a multimedia exhibition 11.00 - 1.00/2.15 - 5.00 Mon to Fri/ 3.00-5.00 Sun. Opening hours may change tel: 021-4270679.

1.00pm	6 May 2005	Half Moon Theatre, Cork Opera House, Cork
AGNES NIXON plays with light and colour Jennifer Walshe (voice) and Anton Lukoszevieze (cello). Instrumentation includes voice, cello, percussion, miniature keyboards, string, cards, chocolate and much more! Admission free. A concert which focuses on the different methods of notating sounds, colours, mental states and relationships in experimental music. This concert features two new works, one by Andrew Hamilton and another by Jennifer Walshe alongside a programme of works by John Cage, Jerry Hunt, Emmett Williams and Anton Lukoszevieze. All works will be performed by Walshe and Lukoszevieze.

9.30pm	7 May 2005	Half Moon Theatre, Cork Opera House, Cork
The Crash Ensemble. Tickets e20/10. Booking: 021 - 427 0022 In keeping with its particular blend of music, video, and electronics, the Crash Ensemble presents an exciting multimedia concert featuring a new work by John Godfrey, the result of the UCC Student Composer Competition, alongside works by Roger Doyle, Alvin Lucier, Judith Ring, Donnacha Costello and Philip Glass. This concert also premieres a new video commission by Simon Doyle to accompany Music in Similar Motion by Philip Glass. www.crashensemble.com

4.00pm	8 May 2005	Cork Public Museum, Fitzgerald Park, Cork
A seminar by Barry Guy featuring performances by Guy (double-bass) and Maya Homburger (baroque violin). Admission free. Guy is an innovative double-bass player and composer. His scores are graphic and are interesting artworks in their own right. Often virtuosic, they present innovative sonorities which Guy and Homburger demonstrate with performances.