Music runs through everything in Clonmel Junction Arts Festival which takes please this year from July 1st to 9th, with their two key festival-produced shows – Hucklebuck and FOUND – featuring live music, a venue dedicated to piano music, and the Clonmel Originals Music Trail.
“We wanted to create a ‘listening venue’ for music, partly based on feedback from local musicians about what they need, and the new STAC Chapel is an ideal space for that. We’re installing a baby grand and have programmed a really broad range of concerts and events so that there’s a bit of something for everyone” explains Artistic Director, Cliona Maher.
The Piano Sessions start with In The Dreemplace, a Roger Doyle concert, where the composer described as ‘the Godfather of Irish electronic music’ opens with a retrospective piano concert of his music from film and theatre spanning 40 years, before acclaimed Irish actress, Derbhle Crotty, performs extracts from the James Joyce-inspired Suite of Affections, finishing with award-winning violinist Aoife Ni Bhriain playing the Clonmel Junction-commissioned world premiere of In The Dreemplace.
Local electronic excellence is provided by two well-known local musicians. Vale is songwriter and producer Eoin Hally’s most striking musical project to date, with a full four piece band. Local composer Eamon O’Malley performs an original work of contemporary keyboard music that is a fusion of electronic soundscapes, dance rhythms, neo-classical textures with the piano at the centre. Classical music is celebrated across a range of concerts including Songs and Sweet Airs, a gorgeous recital from our partner organisation Finding a Voice, with soprano Aisling Kenny and Yonit Kosovske on piano. Duo Anima with pianist Aileen Cahill, and viola player Andreea Baniu, are joined by clarinetist Conor Sheil, for a light programme of summer music, full of fun and fantasy.
There are a number of intriguing combinations. Legendary fiddle player Steve Wickham is performing with guitarist Jane Willow and jazz pianist Scott Flannigan in what should be a virtuoso evening. Another blend of traditions comes from Clonmel’s own Edel Meade. The former jazz and blues singer has been exploring her traditional roots through sean-nós singing. In California for a Fulbright adventure, Edel met with San Francisco-based Eamonn Flynn, who has been stateside since the phenomenal success of The Commitments which he played on. Their project blends traditional Irish music with soul, gospel, jazz and blues.
Irish Modern Dance Theatre are also blending artforms, this time dance and opera. Divine Madness is built around performances by a soprano, three dancers and a live pianist, with music from Verdi, Puccini, Strauss and more. Another intriguing dance and music blend comes from the Indian ethno-choreographer and dancer, Subhashini Goda.
Music won’t be contained to the Piano Sessions venue. With the Clonmel Originals Music Trail, local cidermakers Bulmers are supporting the festival in providing a platform to the best of the local music scene, playing their own original songs. From groups like The Cedartowns and Crow Black Chicken, to singer/songwriters like Eve Whelan and Ruairi de Leastar, there’ll be fantastic live music every night in local pubs.
There’s something for all ages, with the enchanting Baby Loves Music, a very special music experience for the under 1s and their adults. For older children, Fairytale Pictures is a blend of Grimm’s fairy tales performed alongside the beautiful music of Robert Schumann. The whole family will enjoy the live traditional music that accompanies A Handful of Dreams, an awe-inspiring and heart-warming outdoor show with aerial and circus arts from specialists Fidget Feet.
Full details at junctionfestival.com
