101K

For Immediate Release

The Contemporary Music Centre's New Music Salon Series 2008

24 September 2008

It's that time of year again when composers and performers come out in strength to bring you the very best in contemporary Irish music. The Contemporary Music Centre is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its New Music Salon Series with a fresh line-up for Autumn 2008.

The series begins on Wednesday 15 October 2008 at 6.00pm with soprano Sylvia O'Brien accompanied on piano by Irish composer Seóirse Bodley. The series continues on 5 November 2008 with pianist Mary Dullea and concludes with Ensemble ICC on 26 November 2008. Once again the series is being held in the Goethe Institut, Dublin.

The series is designed to introduce the newcomer to contemporary music as well as capture the interest of those already familiar with it. Each performance takes place in an informal atmosphere in which the composers and performers invite questions and feedback from the audience.

'Over the last five years the Salons have become a sort of test-bed for new music,' says Aoife FitzPatrick, Promotion Officer at the Contemporary Music Centre. 'Audiences don't usually get the opportunity to talk to performers and composers, and for the musicians it's a chance to try out new work without the stress of a formal concert. We're delighted to be working with the Goethe Institut again on this anniversary series.'

Irish soprano Sylvia O'Brien is an accomplished performer having toured around Ireland, the UK and Europe. Seóirse Bodley is a leading figure in Irish contemporary music whose music has been performed widely throughout the world. Pianist Mary Dullea has built an impressive reputation as a performer having played concerts throughout Ireland and the UK as well as further afield in South Africa, USA and Hong Kong. Ensemble ICC is the newly-launched performing wing of the Irish Composers' Collective, performing the newest music by up and coming Irish composers.

The Contemporary Music Centre is Ireland's national library and promotional body for new music. The Centre is supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. For the Salon Series the Centre acknowledges the support of the Goethe Institut in making the venue available.

All events in the Salon Series are free. However, as space is limited booking is advised. To book please telephone 01 673 1922 or email info@cmc.ie. For further information on all events please contact Aoife FitzPatrick, Promotion Officer, The Contemporary Music Centre, 19 Fishamble Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 8, phone 01-673 1922 or email afitzpatrick@cmc.ie. www.cmc.ie.

Notes for Editors

All events take place in The Goethe Institut, 37 Merrion Square, Dublin 2.

Sylvia O'Brien, soprano
Seóirse Bodley, piano

6.00pm - 7.00pm, Wednesday, 15 October 2008 (please note the earlier start time of 6.00pm)

Seóirse Bodley - Earlsfort Suite
Ian Wilson - Hungry Ghosts
Kevin O'Connell - Three Sacred Songs

Mary Dullea, piano

6.30pm - 7.30pm, Wednesday, 5 November 2008

Frank Lyons - TEASE
Simon Mawhinney - Batu
Ed Bennett - New Work
Jennifer Walshe - Faster, Faster, Pussy Cat, Kill, Kill, Kill

Ensemble ICC
Rachel Factor, harpsichord
Enda Collins, horn

6.30pm - 7.30pm, Wednesday, 26 November 2008

New works by:
Dónal Sarsfield
David Bremner
Dylan Rynhart
Johanne Heraty