113K

For Immediate Release

New Piano Music from CMC

20 April 2006

The Contemporary Music Centre publishes four new Irish works specially commissioned for this year's AXA Dublin International Piano Competition. Commissioned by RTÉ lyric fm for the semi-final round the four very different new works are Tread Softly by Rhona Clarke; Moladh go deo le Dia by John Gibson; Grand Action by John McLachlan and Seagull by Elaine Agnew.

Two of the new works were inspired by poetry, the title Tread Softly is taken from the last line of a Yeats' poem and Seagull is a poem by the American poet Chris Agee, who now lives in Belfast. Composer John Gibson, also a pianist, translates his Irish title as 'praise to God forever', and dedicates the work to the late Maureeen Forde. Grand Action is also written in memoriam Kieran Clarke, who was a pianist and piano technician.

Since its inception in 1988 a total of 22 new piano works have been commissioned by the competition and published and promoted by CMC. In many cases, competitors from past years have kept the Irish pieces in their repertoire, ensuring a life for them beyond the immediate requirements of the competition. The 2006 AXA Dublin International Piano Competition takes place from 5 - 19 May 2006. For further information see www.axadipc.ie

The commissioner of the new works, RTÉ lyric fm will broadcast studio recordings of the four works on its contemporary music programme, Nova, 7 May 2006. Pianist Anthony Byrne will perform Seagull and Moladh go deo le Dia, and Maria McGarry will perform Tread Softly and Grand Action. The semi-final rounds will also be recorded and broadcast on the programme Music Box during May and June.

Celia Donoghue, Producer, RTÉ lyric fm, says, "RTÉ lyric fm is again delighted to be the commissioner of the four new Irish pieces, to be played in the semi-final rounds of the AXA Dublin International Piano Competition 2006. RTÉ lyric fm has a policy of recording new music by composers born or based in Ireland. Since 2002 we have commissioned over 8 hours of new music by over 40 different composers."

Copies of Piano Album V, 25, are now available from the Contemporary Music Centre and can also be purchased online through the CMC web site at www.cmc.ie

The Contemporary Music Centre is Ireland's national archive and resource centre for new music supporting and developing the work of composers throughout the Republic and Northern Ireland. It engages in a programme of development work to promote new Irish music at home and abroad. The Centre is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2006 with a wide-ranging programme of events. Further information from Karen Hennessy, Promotion Manager, The Contemporary Music Centre, 19 Fishamble Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 8. Tel: 01 673 1922 email: khennessy@cmc.ie web site: www.cmc.ie

The Contemporary Music Centre is supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon.

Note for Editors

AXA Dublin International Piano Competition
The Dublin International Piano Competition was inaugurated in 1988. A triennial event, it was first sponsored by GPA, and then, in 1996, the sponsorship was taken over by Guardian Insurance, now AXA Insurance.

Chaired by Irish pianist John O'Conor and adjudicated by distinguished international members of the music profession, the Competition attracts an enormous entry from around the world.

Since its foundation, the Irish competition has grown in stature, and now ranks with the most important international competitions, not least for its generous 12,000 first prize, but more importantly, for the prestigious list of engagements. These include début recitals in London and New York, appearances at international festivals, and concertos with leading orchestras.

The AXA Dublin International Piano Competition is a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions. Previous winners currently engaged in successful careers include Frenchman, Philippe Cassard (1988), Russian, Pavel Nersessian (1991), Italian, Davide Franceschetti (1994) and American, Max Levinson (1997). The 2000 Competition was won by Alexei Nabioulin from Russia.

The 2003 Competition was won by Antti Siirala from Finland.
www.axadipc.ie