‘I certainly felt that the music and the man were one and the same thing’
Choral director Paul Hillier on his concert tribute to late composer Steve Martland
Don’t sing so close to me: Choirs in the Covid era
Once a communal activity, choral singing has been a high-risk one during the pandemic
The best classical music concerts happening this week
Beethoven celebration gets under way while Sounding the Feminists series continues at NCH
The best classical music events this week
Christmas concerts in various venues and the Ficino Quartet at the National Concert Hall
Philip Glass: ‘Everyone needs a technique, whether they’re a plumber or a cook’
The composer on febrile 1960s New York, working day jobs into his 40s and the term ‘minimalism’
Handel with care: This week’s best classical music gigs
A visit to Dublin by Belgian organist Peter Van de Velde is among the highlights
New director takes new musical direction at Kilkenny Arts Festival
Olga Barry’s first programme was scaled down in ambition, but delivered some big moments
Richard Thomas and Sharon Carty: This week’s best classical concerts
The Sligo International Chamber Music Festival with guests from across the globe
What’s new? Irish festivals reveal the state of contemporary music
Let’s see how new works and living, Irish and female composers fare in upcoming programmes
Zee Zee tops the bill at the NCH: this week’s classical highlights
The Chinese pianist makes her Irish debut with the RTÉCO under Jonathan Bloxham
Louth and clear: a maverick’s musical adventures in Dundalk
Louth Contemporary Music Society’s Book of Hours Festival was unfailingly adventurous
Máire Carroll in the Kirkoskammer series: this week’s classical highlights
Also, Two-day festival in the Oriel from Louth Contemporary Music Society
Louth music: Eamonn Quinn ‘first backstage laureate’ of Belmont Prize
Founder of Louth Contemporary Music Society singled due to ‘burning passion for contemporary music’
Estonian choir shows its choral pedigree at the National Concert Hall
RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra makes important exploration of Mozart and Rameau
The best of the week’s classical music
The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir/Kaspars Putninš, The Vanbrugh, RTÉ NSO/Harry Bicket
The best jazz gigs this week: ECM Weekend featuring Tim Berne & David Torn, Duo Gazzana and Cyminology
Swiss-born pianist Sylvie Courvoisier brings sonic explorations to the NCH and Hugh Buckley leads a Bowie tribute
Musical taste: There’s no accounting for it, especially new stuff
Last weekend’s New Music festival finally delivered on its celebratory promise
Composing the Island: Starting with the best works is never wise
The celebration of 100 years of Irish composition hits mid-century, revealing a dark age for orchestral music
Pianist Angela Hewitt begins Bach Odyssey in Ireland
Classical legend’s first concert kicks off all 141 of Bach’s solo works for keyboard
RTÉ takes a fresh approach to new music
Can the Music of Our Time series at the NCH remedy the weaknesses of the national broadcaster’s long-standing approach to new music?
Michael Dervan’s 2015: Lucky in our promoters who go with the gut
We are lucky to have a number of Irish promoters whose taste and empathy for the audience’s experience set them apart
Dublin has never had the contemporary music festival it deserves
New Music Dublin has suffered numerous abuses in its short life and has been postponed for 2016. Can it be fixed?
Manfred Eicher: the man who made ECM on working with Keith Jarrett, Steve Reich and Arvo Part
Since 1969 Manfred Eicher has had a singular influence on jazz through his ECM label. So what happens in a recording session with the enigmatic producer?
Muscular chamber orchestra delivers Brahms without the dadbod
The Swedish Chamber Orchestra offered an alternative to ‘stouter’ performances of Brahms's second symphony
Three global orchestras make Irish debuts in new concert season | Classical
The new season is strong on singing and orchestral debuts, and composers from Sibelius to Mahler
The mysteries of Bach unwrapped at Kilkenny Arts Festival
Kilkenny’s 10-day immersion in Bach was a box-office success and provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
My Obituary: Duke Special ‘dared to go on lesser trodden paths’
In the first of a new series, Duke Special helps to compose the obituary he would like to have when he dies, and plans an unforgettable funeral
An incurable romantic: who is the Max Bruch of the 21st century?
The German composer clung to the same style throughout his career – do any modern counterparts keep the faith?
Two of Ireland’s younger sopranos would be a casting director’s dream
If only Ireland had such a thing as a national opera company to utilise the abilities of Anna Devin and Jennifer Davis
Wunderkammer: Thrills, spills and belly laughs in a show that will leave you dizzy
Australian company Circa’s athletic theatre is humorous and dangerous
Heart of Glass: how Dublin Guitar Quartet earned the composer’s approval
Even bats go wild for the quartet’s take on Philip Glass’s music
Many strings to his bow: Martin Hayes on finding inspiration
After a long musical journey, the fiddler Martin Hayes finds inspiration in everything from Bach to Arvo Pärt and Sigur Rós
Pimp my piano: a technician lifts the lid
Dublin International Piano Festival opened with an intimate look at – and inside – the instrument
Out of the chamber and into the world
The reach and reputation of the West Cork Chamber Music Festival resonates beyond the Bantry venues
Who lives in a house like this?
The KBC Great Music in Irish Houses festival is taking a liberal view of its title – which is not without its benefits
It’s a European Union, but is there musical harmony?
The National Chamber Choir performed an array of ‘masterworks’, but why did so much of the enjoyment seem to be the choir’s
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