TD 1
an open mind and a big, creative heart. Ann Clear
e’s Terrarium also makes its world premiere, where attendees are offered the chance to “Venture into a landscape of time at this awe-inspiring world premiere, as you journey with Crash Ensemble through historic Irish countryside to a vanished Mesolithic lake.” Written during Ann Cleare’s time as composer in residence with Crash Ensemble, and created in collaboration with artists Lay of the Land and videographer/director/Persona mastermind/polymath Laura Sheeran. This immersive exploration of the evolving geological strata of Ireland’s boglands transports viewers to Lough Boora, Offaly, navigating the narrows of memory and myth embedded within the fascinating terrain there. And another first, the debut performance from Irish supergroup Stone Drawn Circles with their new work, In Formation. This collaboration between double bass master Caimin Gilmore, renowned harpist Úna Monaghan, violist Nathan Sherman and percussionist Alex Petcu, with flutist Lina Andonovska and vocalist Michelle O’Rourke, promises to be a spellbinding affair. The Monochrome Project, also looks to be a memorable event: a 36 trumpet ensemble that includes the international Monochrome Project. With students drawn from the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris and the Royal Academy of Music London , as well as brass players from across the island of Ireland,this huge ensemble with be led by Marco Blaauwan, and will be perform a major new work by celebrated American composer David Lang. Leitrim sound sculptor Natalia Beylis will also premiere her highly lauded Around Here, The Birds Plant The Trees, showing for the first time in Ireland, “We stand in our field, gathered together to listen: to the creatures rustling in the undergrowth, to the wind making the oak leaves dance, to the lone, distant curlew and to ourselves; our breathing, our heartbeats and our place within it all.” Written in response to a commission asking Beylis to consider an aspect of climate change, ‘round Here, The Birds Plant The Trees first started with musicians meeting in a field, and on the evening will be performed with percussionist Willie Stewart, cellist Eimear Reidy, fiddler Tola Custy and viola player Ailbhe Nic Oireachtaigh. Crash Ensemble will once again be showcasing their Crashworks work-in-progress project, highlighting new and emerging composers, which like their recorded (and streamable) namesakes, are mandatory listening for anybody with a curiosity about what is at the very forefront of new music in Ireland and beyond. Cór Linn and Cór na nÓg, the National Concert Hall choirs, also return to the festival, as ever promising a performance showcasing the very best of youth music-making. This concert centers on Cecilia MacDowell’s haunting Everyday Wonders: The Girl from Aleppo. This beautiful work recounts the incredible true story of a disabled Kurdish teenager who fled from Aleppo with her sister to start anew in Germany. Performed 22 Previous pages: A Winged Victory for the Sullen This page from top: Crash Ensemble, photo: Ros Kavanagh; Laura Bowler Opposite page, left: Stone Drawn Circles; Mariam Rezaei Opposite page, top right: Diamanda La Berge Dramm, photo: Juri Hiensch