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For Immediate Release

The ConTempo String Quartet Premieres New Work by Irish Composers

12 November 2007

Two free public concerts take place this December 2007 in Dublin and Galway, featuring the ConTempo String Quartet and the premiere of three new string quartets by Irish composers, Ed Bennett, Rob Canning and David Flynn.

These two concerts are the culmination of a year-long collaborative project between the Contemporary Music Centre and Galway Ensemble-in-Residence, entitled New Music Connects. New Music Connects involved a series of workshops and commissions and was funded by the Arts Council/ An Chomhairle Ealaíon's Project: New Work Award Scheme 2006.

"New Music Connects has very successfully provided an unparalleled opportunity for Irish composers to write for the internationally renowned ConTempo String Quartet. We now eagerly await the forthcoming concerts and the culmination of the project" says Karen Hennessy, Promotion Manager, The Contemporary Music Centre.

The ConTempo Quartet are Bogdan Sofei, first violin, Ingrid Nicola, second violin, Andreea Banciu, viola and Adrian Mantu, cello. Recognised as one of the world's top string quartets, ConTempo has worked with many celebrated quartets, including the Emerson, Amadeus, Alban Berg, Hagen and Tokyo quartets. They have also toured the world extensively. The ConTempo String Quartet became Galway's first Ensemble-in-Residence in January 2003.

Ed Bennett (b. 1975), originally from Co. Down and now based in Birmingham, has been commissioned and performed internationally by many diverse artists and organisations. The work of Dublin-born David Flynn (b. 1977), now based in Spiddal, Co. Galway, encompasses most musical genres including classical, jazz, rock and traditional. Rob Canning (b. 1974) is originally from Dublin and now lives in London, where he is pursuing doctoral studies with the assistance of an Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon award.

The Contemporary Music Centre is Ireland's national library and promotion agency for new music. It has its home in a historic building in Fishamble Street in the Old City of Temple Bar. The Centre is supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

For further information contact 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.

Notes for Editors

2 December 2007, 12.00pm - 1.00pm
Hugh Lane Gallery, Parnell Square, Dublin 1
Admission Free

The ConTempo String Quartet

Ed Bennett - For James Ferrada (premiere)
Rob Canning - Melencolia (premiere)
David Flynn - String Quartet No.3: The Keening (premiere)

Jane O'Leary - ConTempo ConVersations - written in 2005 by Jane O'Leary to celebrate ConTempo's 10th anniversary.

4 December 2007, 1.10pm - 2.10pm
Kenny's Gallery, High Street, Galway
Admission Free

The ConTempo String Quartet

Ed Bennett - For James Ferrada (premiere)
Rob Canning - Melencolia (premiere)
David Flynn - String Quartet No.3: The Keening (premiere)

Jane O'Leary - ConTempo ConVersations - written in 2005 by Jane O'Leary to celebrate ConTempo's 10th anniversary.