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For Immediate Release

The Contemporary Music Centre's Platform for Performance space presents the second of its two Up Close with Music celebrations of 35 Years of Concorde - New Music Ensemble

23 February 2012

Concorde contemporary music ensemble continue its very successful series of FREE afternoon performances, Up Close with Music, 2pm - 5pm, Saturday,10 March at the Contemporary Music Centre, 19 Fishamble Street, Temple Bar, Dublin. The Series is supported by a Music Project Award from the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon.

Each event in the series features a newly commissioned work from an Irish composer; the March concerts focus on the music of Elaine Agnew. Former RTÉ lyricfm composer-in-residence, Elaine Agnew, is writing for Paul Roe, Concorde's clarinetist and the new piece is inspired by the Kennan's Engineering Works, former residents of 19 Fishamble Street. Elaine is excited to be working again with Paul to create a lively tapestry of sound.

Musicians taking part in the three concerts over the afternoon are Paul Roe on clarinet and bass clarinet; Tine Verbeke, soprano; Dermot Dunne, accordion; and David James, cello. Included in the programmes are some miniature gems from Elliott Carter, whose work is included in each of the six Up Close with Music events. Music by Brian Keegan, Grainne Mulvey, Jane O'Leary and Jacob ter Veldhuis will also be presented along with a performance of Elaine Agnew's song cycle In the Adriatic, an evocative and poignant setting of Chris Agee's poetry and the live premiere of Music Box, a 2002 Galway Arts Festival Soundscape commission for clarinet and recorded voices.

Admission is free but seating is limited and advance booking is strongly recommended. To book contact The Contemporary Music Centre on email: khennessy@cmc.ie or tel: 01 673 1922.

Three previous Up Close with Music events have taken place, one at the Contemporary Music Centre and two at the Rubicon Gallery, featuring premieres from Irish composers, music by the American composer Elliott Carter, a retrospective of works previously performed and commissioned by Concorde and international works from the project 'Global Connections'. Up Close with Music continues on 1 July at the Gallery of Photography with commissioned composer, Raymond Deane; and 22 July also at the Gallery of Photography with commissioned composer, David Fennessy.

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. For further information on the Centre and its Platform for Performance space 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

Concorde contemporary music ensemble was founded in Dublin in 1976 to promote new music on a regular basis. The Series Up Close with Music, which began in October 2011, has highlighted past repertoire and commissioned works alongside new pieces specially written to celebrate Concorde's 35th anniversary season.

Notes for Editors

Up Close with Music

2pm - 5pm, 10 March 2012    ADMISSION FREE

The Contemporary Music Centre - Platform for Performance Space
19 Fishamble Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 8

CONCORDE
Tine Verbeke, soprano
Paul Roe, clarinet/bass clarinet
David James, cello
Dermot Dunne, accordion

2 pm
Elliot Carter | Uno, from Tempo e Tempi soprano and cello (1998-99)
Jane O'Leary | Awakening recorded sounds (2002)
Brian Keegan | Poltergeist (premiere) soprano and cello (2011)
James Wilson | Donizetti Variation accordion solo (1969)
Elaine Agnew | hhmmmm (premiere) bass clarinet solo (2012) commissioned by Concorde

3 pm
Elaine Agnew | Music Box clarinet and recorded voices (2001/12)
Grainne Mulvey | Duo bass clarinet and accordion (2004)
Elaine Agnew | In the Adriatic soprano, clarinet/bass clarinet, cello, accordion (2006) text by Chris Agee, commissioned by Concorde

4 pm
Elliott Carter | Una Columba, from Tempo e Tempi soprano and clarinet (1998-99)
Jacob ter Veldhuis | Night and Day bass clarinet and accordion (1992)
Grainne Mulvey | Sonic Study II (Clay) recorded sounds (2002)
Elaine Agnew | hhmmmm bass clarinet solo (2012) commissioned by Concorde

Booking recommended. To book email: khennessy@cmc.ie or tel: 01 673 1922