RTÉ Nso Horizons Series

NCH, Dublin Tuesdays Jan 12/Jan 19/Feb 2/Feb 9 1.05pm Adm free 01-4170000

NCH, Dublin Tuesdays Jan 12/Jan 19/Feb 2/Feb 9 1.05pm Adm free 01-4170000

The free lunchtime concerts of the Horizons series are the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra’s major annual showcase for the work of Irish composers.

The selected composers get to choose the programmes and are encouraged to contextualise their own work with pieces that have influenced them or carry a special meaning.

This year the focus is on Deirdre Gribbin whose Empire Statesand Venus Blazingwill be heard next Tuesday; Franck Corcoran, whose Four Orchestral Prayersand Quasi una Fugashare the bill with Lutoslawski's Novelette on January 19th; Elaine Agnew, who has chosen Elena Kats-Chernin's 3 Displaced Dancesand Stephen Gardner's The Ship Yardas well as her own Wait and See, Make a Wishand Straight to the Pointon Febuary 2nd; and Brian Irvine, who has just a single work, the 50-minute-long Montana Strange, inspired by the films of David Lynch, on his February 9th programme, which he will also conduct himself.

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The composers can also be heard in pre-performance talks (12.30pm) before each of the concerts.

Michael Dervan

Michael Dervan

Michael Dervan is a music critic and Irish Times contributor