An Interview with Greg Caffrey

Tue 22 Apr 2008

Greg Caffrey talks to Michael Quinn about his musical background, latest works, his playful style and other upcoming projects.

Listen to the full podcast here:

Episode 1

  • Becoming interested in contemporary music
  • Entering formal music education
  • The importance of fun and enjoyment in his approach to composition
  • The importance of collaborating with performers while composing each work
  • How the work Honk came about

Music excerpts used:
0:00 & 13:18 Honk (Gerard McChrystal [ssax], Mary Dullea [pf]) © Greg Caffrey
3:48 Pluck, Blow (Gerard McChrystal [sax], Craig Ogden [gui]) © Meridian Records
7:30 On the Ning Nang Nong from Spike (The Greg Caffrey (Large) Circle) © Greg Caffrey
 

 

 

Episode 2

  • What inspires his compositions
  • The use of voice in certain works
  • Working with the Ulster Orchestra on Theophilus in Space
  • His residency at La Cité International des Artes, Paris

Music excerpts used:
0:00 & 3:04 The Gofongo from Spike (The Greg Caffrey (Large) Circle) © Greg Caffrey
6:28 Theophilus in Space (The Ulster Orchestra)
11:00 Ett Mobilt Hem (Greg Caffrey [gui] Andrew Lavery [vibs] Andrea Lotscher [fl] Kev Lawless [bcl]) © Greg Caffrey
 

Greg Caffrey was interviewed on video by Michael Quinn in SERC, Bangor, Co. Down, on 8 February 2008.

The views expressed in this interview are those of the persons concerned and are not necessarily those of the Contemporary Music Centre.