Composer/performer Greg Caffrey’s instrumental group, Greg Caffrey Circle, explores the theme of children at play in these pieces for clarinet, guitar and drums. Partly written and partly improvised, the music draws strongly from the games and activities mentioned in the track titles: ‘Musical Chairs’, ‘Magic Tricks’, ‘Blind Man’s Buff’ and so on.

John Gibson’s chamber opera tells the Old Testament story of Judith, who led the Jewish nation against the mighty Assyrian army of Holofernes. It is performed by the Opera Group of Cork School of Music in a setting for four solo voices, chorus, narrator and chamber ensemble (including the composer as pianist). It was written to mark the 25th anniversary of Cork Peace Week and recorded live in April 2002.

Described as ‘…one of the few contemporary composers whose work genuinely lifts your spirits’, these three works by Hellawell - two concertos and a string quartet - span the 1990s. They are performed by the RTE Vanbrugh String Quartet and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra with solists Clio Gould and Philip Dukes under conductor Martyn Brabbins.

‘Achill Suite’ contains a number of solo piano works by composer/pianist Brent Parker. Taking its inspiration from Achill Island, the title track reflects the many different qualities of the island. Other works performed by the composer on this live album are Spanish Pieces and Hy Breasal Suite.