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Terry Riley, Talvin Singh, George Brooks

California Kirana – The West Coast Legacy of Pran Nath

An Tain Theatre Dundalk

29 Oct 2010 @8pm.

Tickets available from www.centralticketbureau.com

Terry Riley has been away from Europe for many years, and this is his 75th Birthday. Louth Contemporary Music Society , is honoured to present the world famous Terry Riley as he performs Indian ragas with arrangements on the saxophone played by the ever progressive saxophonist George Brooks and Mercury Music awarded tabla player Talvin Singh. Solos from each artist as well.

This show is not only to celebrate Terry Riley’s birthday and welcome return to Europe, but also to see how Indian Classical music so easily flows into Jazz and minimalism, as well as seeing the young maestro and experimentalist of tabla, Talvin Singh, to perform in a traditional context.

Music, like all living beings, must evolve to keep pace with a changing environment. The ancient arts of India struggle for survival in a world moving at an every increasing speed.Technology and desire for wealth move us forward and leave little time for the reflection and introspection necessary to evolve the high art known as raga. Pran Nath’s music was rooted in the masters of the late 19h and early 20th centuries. As a young man he survived a harrowing journey during partition from Lahore to the new nation of India and later to the US where his most dedicated students absorbed his teachings and continue to reflect on them in deeply personal forms of artistic expression.

Pran Nath took the ancient traditions of fierce dedication to craft and guru and handed them to a new generation of American disciples. Terry Riley, Talvin Singh and George Brooks will perform traditional ragas arranged for piano, voice, saxophone and tablas, focusing on some of Pran Nath’s favorite ragas from the Kirana tradition such as Darbari, Bageshri, Malkauns, Yemen and Bhimpolasi.

In addition they will perform works from the Riley-Brooks duo repertoire including movements from “Salome Dances for Peace“ and “Ebony Horns“. Each artist will also perform a solo work.

California Kirana – The West Coast Legacy of Pran Nath is presented by Louth Contemporary Music Society (LCMS) in association with Create Louth. California Kirana – The West Coast Legacy of Pran Nath is funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and financially supported by Dundalk Town Council and Louth County Council.

Tickets for the performance priced €25 are available from www.centralticketbureau.com
Phone 0818 205 205( Ireland)
0870 850 2896 (UK)

California Composer Terry Riley launched what is now known as the Minimalist movement with his revolutionary classic IN C in 1964. This seminal work provided a new concept in musical form based on interlocking repetitive patterns. Its impact was to change the course of 20th Century music and its influence has been heard in the works of prominent composers such as Steve Reich, Philip Glass and John Adams.

Talvin Singh Producer, composer and tabla player.

The Mercury Music Prize 1999 winner is known for creating an innovative fusion of classical Indian music and drum and bass. He is generally considered as a central figure in the electronica sub genre called Asian Underground. Also, his traditional tabla playing has gained him world recognition and respect. He has worked with the likes of Bjork, Blondie, Madonna, Siouxsie & the Banshees, David Sylvian, Sun Ra, DJ Spooky, Massive Attack, Future Sound of London, Ryuchi Sakamoto, The Master Musicians of Jajouka, and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

George Brooks Saxophonist

George Brooks has performed with such notable musicians as Etta James, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Kronos Quartet, Anthony Braxton, Zakir Hussain, and Terry Riley. His original compositions combine elegant melodies with the rich harmonies of modern jazz and the driving rhythms of North India to form a unique and wholly satisfying musical experience.

www.terryriley.net

www.georgebrooks.com

www.talvinsingh.com

ww.louthcms.org

Gubaidulina (pronounced ‘goo-bye-DOO-lee-nah) who is visiting Ireland for the first time, will attend a composer portrait concert at 8pm on 1 May 2010 in St Peter’s Church, Drogheda in which highly acclaimed performers including Ivan Monighetti, the Dublin Guitar Quartet, Malachy Robinson, the Heath Quartet, The Oriel Trio and Dermot Dunne will perform a range of her works.

The concert is the latest of several high profile art music events organised by the Louth Contemporary Music Society, to bring world renowned composers to Ireland, previously having successfully featured, Arvo Pärt, Philip Glass, Terry Riley and Valentyn Silvestov.

Eamonn Quinn, Artistic Director with the LCMS, spoke about the forthcoming event.
“We are proud to be able to attract such major contemporary musical events to the area and host such high calibre composers who have chosen to have their music performed in Ireland.”

“It is very exciting to be able to bring the works of Gubaidulina here to Ireland. She has been called the greatest Russian composer at work today since Shostakovich.”

“We are a small society trying to make a big difference to Contemporary music in Ireland. We are becoming more recognised internationally and this has helped us to attract such important composers and performers to attend and participate in our music events,” he said.

“The ‘Fire and the Rose’ performance will be a significant cultural event for Ireland, as it is the first composer portrait of Gubaidulina with the composer present in Ireland.”

Born in 1931 in the Tartar region of the former Soviet Union, performance of her works was forbidden and she was subject to the severest of repression. Now, her music, which was unknown in the West before the Iron Curtain fell, is in great demand by artists all over the world.

Her unique music is marked by the use of unusual instrumental combinations and tunings and shows her interest in folk and ritual instruments from Russia, the Caucasus region and Asia.

Sometimes, fiery and sometimes as soft as a rose, her music includes elements of Christian spirituality, musical symbolism, unique structures derived from fragmentation and repetition of simple material. Early on in her career, she was supported by Dmitri Shostakovich who recognised the musical gift that she possesses.

In 2007, Gubaidulina was the first woman composer to be spotlighted by the BBC during its annual ‘composer weekend’ in London and she has been awarded many prestigious awards including the Prix de Monaco in 1987 and the Living Composer Prize of the Cannes Classical Awards in 2003.

The Fire and the Rose: the Music of Sofia Gubaidulina is presented by Louth Contemporary Music Society (LCMS) in association with Drogheda Arts Festival. The event is funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and financially supported by the Drogheda Arts Festival and Louth County Council.

A free viewing of the Barrie Gavin film ‘A Fire and a Rose’ about the life and work of Gubaidulina scripted by Gerard McBurney will take place at 5pm in Barlow House on the 1 May 2010

Tickets for the performance priced €15 are available from www.centralticketbureau.com and Highlanes Gallery, Laurence St, Drogheda Telephone: +353 (0)41 9807114. Tickets for the screening of the film the Fire and the Rose are available from the festival box office in Highlanes.
The Fire and the Rose is part of the Drogheda Arts Festival. The Drogheda Arts Festival will run at various venues in Drogheda from 1-4 May 2010.  For programme details and biographies of Gulaidulina and the performers see www.louthcms.org www.droghedaartsfestival.ie and www.createlouth.ie

1. Programme

Gubaidulina Reflection on a Theme B-A-C-H Heath Quartet

Bach   Cello Suite Ivan Monighetti

Gubaidulina  Garden of Joy and Sorrow The Oriel Trio

Gubaidulina  In Croce Dermot Dunne + Ivan Monighetti

Gubaidulina  Repentance Ivan Monighetti, Dublin Guitar Quartet + Malachy Robinson.

1. Further information
   Wikipedia
   Sikorski
   Schrimer

1. Biographies
   Full biographies and images available here
   www.louthcms.org/press
2. Reviews
   Critics have been unanimously glowing in their reviews of Gubaidulina’s most distinctive work In tempus praesens. in recent years, describing the concerto as “luminous and deeply expressive,” “fervent and gripping.” Mutter’s new recording of Gubaidulina’s concerto on Deutsche Grammophon has shot to the top of classical releases.

Cheryl North S.F. Symphony Review: Masur, Gubaidulina make out-of-this-world                music in Davies Hall

http://www.northworks.net/c_reviews_SFS%20Masur%202-09.htm
Review of Gubaidulina’s Canticle of the Sun

http://www.classical.net/music/recs/reviews/e/emi57153a.php
5.   Videos

Clip of Anne-Sophie Mutter performing Gubaidulina

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-b5waTDQpM&feature=related

Kurt Masur talks about Gubaidulina’s Two Path’s. He will conduct the work for the

New York Philharmonic in April 2011.

Version of Repentance ( Pentimento) for 3 guitars and cello.

Tour will visit the Oriel Centre, The Old Gaol, Dundalk, Co. Louth on  Saturday April 24th 2010

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann presents “In Session” with Danny O’Mahony and Michéal O’Raghallaigh
on Saturday  April 24^th 2010.

Download flyer here

March 26^th 2010 Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann announce a significant new initiative to bring renowned traditional musicians to regional centres around the country on a regular basis, with

the first tour playing at Oriel Centre located in the Old Gaol Dundalk , on Saturday April 24^th. The “In Session” tour commencing in April, will feature acclaimed accordion player Danny O’Mahony and concertina player Micheál O’Raghallaigh.  These professional musicians will be supported by local Comhaltas musicians from the region, offering the audience a chance to enjoy not only established performers, but the best in up-and-coming talent from their very own doorstep.

Future  “In Session” tours will expand to include an increased number of regional venues around the country and will feature musicians of high-calibre, displaying the commitment of Comhaltas to providing performers of excellence to audiences countrywide, while at the same time providing a stage to lesser known and local young musicians.

Playing in the inagural “In Session” tour is Danny O’Mahony, an accordion player and music teacher of renown from Ballyduff in North-Kerry who is instantly recognised for his very distinctive and personal style on button accordion.  Danny has won both numerous junior and senior all-Ireland titles at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann throughout the 90s, and has contributed to Comhaltas as a competition adjudicator, teacher and lecturer on the diploma course for traditional Irish music teachers (TTCT).  Danny, as well as currently teaching at the University of Limerick, is a presenter and producer of Traditional Irish Music and Song programs for Radio Kerry.

Micheál O’Raghallaigh is widely regarded as one of the finest concertina players of his generation.  He has recorded with many artistes and has produced two solo albums to critical acclaim.  He also recorded albums with the group ‘Providence’ and the three-in-a-row winning ‘Táin’ Céili Band.  He holds the distinction of being a member of two ‘three-in-a-row bands, the other being ‘Naomh Pádraig’ from his native county Meath.  He has toured Europe, Scandinavia and the USA, and is much sought after as a performer and tutor.

Tickets for the “In Session” Tour are now on sale from Oriel Centre The Old Gaol, on 042-9328887 . Tickets are priced at just €10 for adults.  There will also be €5 concession tickets and a limited number of €20 family tickets available.

This tour promises a feast of music with something to cater to everyone’s taste, be it connoisseurs or casual fans of traditional entertainment. So drop by your local Comhaltas Centre and enjoy the Ceoil agus Craic. Tickets will be in high demand so make sure to get yours early.

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Èireann is the largest organisation involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music.  It is a non-profit cultural movement which has been working for the cause of Irish music since 1951 with hundreds of local branches around the world.

ENDS

For further information contact Miriam Andersson at Limelight Communications on

(01) 668 0600 or email Miriam.Andersson@limelight.ie

Note to Editor

Concert Schedule

Date                                                                      Location                               Venue

Friday April 16^th Ennis                                     Cois na hAbhna, Ennis, Co.Clare

Saturday April 17^th Cashel                                   Brú Ború, Cashel, Co. Tipperary

Friday April 23^rd Omagh                                 Dún Uladh, Omagh, Co. Tyrone

Saturday April 24^th Dundalk                               Oriel Centre,The Old Gaol,  Dundalk

Sunday April 25^th Clontarf                                Clasac, Clontarf, Dublin 3

May bank holiday weekend – Friday 30th April to 3rd May 2010.

The Drogheda Arts Festival has announced another exciting and varied programme for the 2010 Festival kicking off on Friday 30th April.   The festival, which runs over the May bank holiday weekend, will host an exciting lineup of local, national, and international artists including the first visit to Ireland by acclaimed Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina, a world premiere of a work by Conall Quinn from Upstate Live, music, visual art, family fun and outdoor celebration, and lots more.  There is only one place to be this bank holiday weekend – Drogheda!

Friday 30th April will see the official opening of the Festival in the Highlanes Gallery.  The Marienbad Palace, a visual art exhibition curated by Jacqui McIntosh is divided between two venues in the town, the Droichead Arts Centre and the Highlanes Municipal Art Gallery.  ’The Marienbad Palace’ brings together works by Laura Buckley, Diana Copperwhite, Jorge De La Garza, Alicja Kwade, Haroon Mirza and Ian Monroe. The exhibition, which includes collage, painting, sculpture, installation and video, takes its title from JG Ballard’s 1989 short story ‘The Enormous Space’ and Alain Resnais’ seminal 1961 film ‘Last Year in Marienbad’.  The exhibition explores ideas of reality in a world where virtual reality is always competing with accepted notions of time and space.  ‘The Marienbad Palace’ has been commissioned exclusively for Drogheda Arts Festival.

Over the past few years, Louth Contemporary Music Society has brought world renowned composers to Louth, including Arvo Pärt, Philip Glass, Terry Riley and Valentyn Silvestrov.  This year they are delighted to welcome Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina to the town as part of the Drogheda Arts Festival. One of the world’s greatest composers, Sofia Gubaidulina will visit Ireland for the first time to attend a concert celebrating her work. Entitled The Fire and the Rose: the Music of Sofia Gubaidulina, the concert which will take place in St Peter’s Church, Drogheda on May 1st, and will be preceded earlier in the day by the showing of a film on her life and work in the Droichead Arts Centre

Also Saturday 1st May West Street running through the heart of the town will become ‘West Street Wonderland’ for one day only!  The Festival aims to revitalize for this day some of the empty spaces on the street, transforming Drogheda’s main artery with music, outdoor performances, and workshops.  The emphasis will be on participation and fun, with opportunities for all ages to engage with artists and theatre practitioners.

The other side of the river on Saturday and Sunday will see the Drogheda Spring Food Festival, located on the Waterfront, Scotch Hall.  Experience this two-day mini-festival of food offering the tastes and delights of the local food connoisseurs, a farmers market, craft butchers, restaurant tastings, ‘grow your own’ demonstrations and wine seminars.

Theatre and performance also feature strongly in this year’s programme.

-          UPSTATE LIVE presents the world premiere of  THE ONES WHO KILL SHOOTING STARS A new play by Conall Quinn (winner of the Stewart Parker award), directed by Paul Hayes.    This is a highly original entertaining and surreal tale of love and death set on a County Louth beach during World War II.   Absurd, bleak and hilarious in equal measure, THE ONES WHO KILL SHOOTING STARS is commissioned by Drogheda Arts Festival, and will undertake a short national tour after its festival performances.

-          A double bill from award-winning dancer/choreographer Claire Cunningham showcasing her exceptional dance technique and impressive power. ME (Mobile/Evolution) is a show woven from humorous stories; about doctors and dancing, bikes and ballet; all threaded together and balanced upon, hanging from, spinning on and swinging on crutches.   ***** The Herald

-          Cirque de Légume will bring their award winning new show The Cirque de Légume to Drogheda. Marvel at the Veget- animal! Enthrall at the Leek of Power! Fantasize over the Onion Strip Tease! WINNER Bewley’s Theatre Award – Dublin Fringe Festival 2009 and NOMINATED Best Male Performer – Dublin Fringe Festival 2009.

-          Community involvement is a key element of the Festival and this year Droichead Youth Theatre will bring the audience on a special journey through Secondary School in a site specific theatre piece in St Mary’s Diocesan School.

The Festival once again offers a very strong music element. As well as the much anticipated visit by Sofia Gubaidulina, the other music elements will include:

-          Acclaimed South Korean born pianist YOUNG-CHOON PARK performing on the magnificent grand piano in St Peter’s Church Drogheda.  Young- Choon Park will be introduced by sports commentator and Lyric fm presenter, George Hamilton. “…individually refreshing, while demonstrating real passion and style as well as outstanding technical proficiency…”   Sunday Times

-          Music Changes Lives – the young musicians from the acclaimed RTE factual series come to Drogheda to perform at the Barbican Centre.  Accompanies by other young music ensembles, this concert promises to be an opportunity to hear great music, and act as an inspiration for all children to explore their musical talents

-          Dervish, who will perform for one night only on Monday 3rd May as part of their 21st anniversary celebrations.

-          Grammy Award-nominated musical duo, Zero 7 (also nominated for Best British newcomer at the 2002 Brit Awards) with support by Andrew K (External Sounds) & Rob Mullen (External Sounds).

-          DJ Ashley Beedle with support by Keith Kelly (External Sounds).

Other events will include a poetry reading and conversation with Poet Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin and the much loved traditional day at Millmount which will this year be held on Sunday 2nd May, with music, craft, Celtic warriors, the firing of cannons, boat-building, and the rapidly-developing Drogheda Fringe Festival.

Full programme details can be found at:  www.droghedaartsfestival.ie

The Drogheda Arts Festival is supported by: Louth Local Authorities, The Arts Council, and Fáilte Ireland.

The Fire and the Rose: the Music of Sofia Gubaidulina is presented by Louth Contemporary Music Society (LCMS) in association with Drogheda Arts Festival. The Fire and the Rose: the Music of Sofia Gubaidulina is funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and financially supported by the Drogheda Arts Festival with supported by Louth County Council .

Press information:

Gerry Lundberg Public Relations    Tel:  01 679 8476 / 086 259 1070 / 087 259 1070    glundpr@iol.ie

View the Programme here.

Contact 087 2765859 or 0872351480