CMC presents "Mná in Music" a playlist curated by CMC Scholar-in-Residence 2022, Aileen Cahill

As part of the Contemporary Music Centre’s activities celebrating International Women’s Day this week, CMC is delighted to share "Mná in Music", a curated playlist by Aileen Cahill.

Aileen was invited by CMC to curate a selection of her own contemporary music favourites, spotlighting women active in new music in Ireland.

'Mná in Music' - A curated playlist by CMC Scholar-in-Residence 2022 Aileen Cahill by CMCIreland

About this Selection

I love the pared back sense of space that comes with the passing of Winter. I felt that elements such as the subtly changing light and colours of this transitional period are captured in works by Anna Murray, Jane O’Leary, Deirdre McKay and Deirdre Gribbin

For me, the energy and dynamism of the coming of Spring really shines through in the works from Linda Buckley, Ailís Ní Ríain, Elaine Agnew and Eibhlís Farrell. This energy is all the more potent when we reflect upon our emergence from the stasis of lockdown, a sentiment captured in Judith Ring’s evocative work. 

As 2022 is an historic year for the writings of James Joyce (with the centenary of the publication of Ulysses), I was drawn to Anne-Marie O'Farrell's setting of 'Simples' from Joyce's poetry collection Poemes Penyeach.

Lastly, my own background as a pianist, as well as the aspects that I am drawn to when choosing music to perform, influenced my final choices. I just loved the fun, sarcasm, energy, colours and textures of the works from Jennifer Walshe, Gráinne Mulvey and Rhona Clarke.

I hope you enjoy this selection. Thanks for listening!

Aileen Cahill

About the Curator

A native of county Sligo, Aileen Cahill is a pianist best known as a chamber musician and soloist. In 2007, she completed her Masters in Solo Piano under Dr. John O'Conor at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, and in 2011, her Masters in Piano Accompaniment under Catherina Lemoni-O'Doherty at DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama. At this time, she was also awarded a Fellowship Diploma for vocal and instrumental accompaniment from the London College of Music.

Having previously lectured in Piano and Piano Accompaniment at Dundalk IT, Maynooth University and TU Dublin Conservatory of Music and Drama, Aileen is now a doctoral candidate at the Conservatory. Her research is an investigation into a collaborative pianist’s use of mental practice in performance preparation. Aileen is CMC's Scholar-in-Residence for 2022. 

You can also listen to an introduction by Aileen to the playlist in episode 63 of CMC's podcast, amplify.