O Riada Re-imagined

The music of composer Seán Ó Riada is celebrated by Louth Contemporary Music Society with a performance of a new arrangement of his Mass on 10 March 2012.

Uzbekistani composer Dmitri Yanov-Yanovsky has arranged Ó Riada’s much-loved 1968 mass for 16 voices, fiddle, harp and bodhrán. The concert will be performed in St. Nicholas’ Church of Ireland, Dundalk by the newly formed EQ Singers with Zoe Conway (fiddle), Laoise Kelly (harp) and Mel Mercier (bodhrán). The conductor will be Eamonn Dougan, Associate Conductor of the renowned ensemble, The Sixteen.

A native of Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Dmitri Yanov-Yanovsky most recently has been a composer-in-residence at Harvard University and Dartmouth College. He has received commissions from celebrated musicians including cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Kronos Quartet and Hilliard Ensemble.

The concert will also include a performance of a selection of Ó Riada’s sacred hymns by sean-nós singer Iarla Ó Lionáird. Ó Lionáird grew up in Cúil Aodha, Cork, near to where Ó Riada lived, and was also a member of Ó Riada’s choir.

Prior to the concert, Tomás Ó Canainn - author of Seán Ó Riada - His Life and Work - will give a talk on Ó Riada in the Space, Town Hall, Crowe St, Dundalk at 5.00pm. The talk is free but it is advised to book tickets in advance.

In addition to the performance and talk, Eamonn Dougan will give a choral workshop for amateur singers on the morning of the 10 March 2012.

The Ó Riada Mass arrangement is funded by the Arts Council’s DEIS scheme and is also financially supported by Foras na Gaeilge and Create Louth.

Tickets are available from www.centralticketbureau.com for €15, of tel: 0818 205 205.

Further information
- www.louthcms.org
- choralworkshop@me (choral workshop)