In 2018, Double Bassist Caimin Gilmore (Crash Ensemble, Stargaze, RTE Concert Orchestra, RTE Symphony Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra) commissioned Linda Buckley, Benedict Schlepper-Connolly, Sam Perkin and Nick Roth – four of Ireland’s most distinctive and vital young composers – to write four new Double Bass works using funds from the Arts Council of Ireland, Cork City Council Arts Office, and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. The pieces were first performed live at the Crawford Art Gallery, Cork, as part of Quiet Lights Festival, on November 23rd 2019.
In an attempt to honour cancelled performances to audiences and festivals throughout the country in 2020, Caimin is releasing four pre-recorded live video performances of each work, preceded by interviews with each composer by Kate Ellis (Artistic Director Crash Ensemble), Billy (age 5), and his pal Ben (age 12).
About the Interviews:
Billy (age 5) plays trumpet. Ben (age 12) is Billy’s pal. He also plays trumpet and has a flare for philosophy. They both like engines and lamps. The two boys conducted four interviews via online video conferencing as part of the project, to have a bit of fun with the composers, ask them about their pieces, play them some trumpet, and have more happy ramblings. The interviews were carried out with help from Kate Ellis, Artistic Director of Crash Ensemble, Ireland’s Foremost Contemporary Music Ensemble.
The four videos will culminate in the release of a live EP, ‘String Ogham’, on June 25th, as part of The Arts Council of Ireland’s Covid 19 Crisis Response Award to provide access for the public to new and original art during the period of COVID-19 isolation.
The ‘String Ogham’ series opens with a piece by Sam Perkin, titled <3, and premieres today at 8.30pm on Youtube. This uplifting track, particularly suited to these turbulent times, features Caimin Gilmore on Double Bass, Kate Ellis on Cello, and a tape recording. The piece consists of the unrestrained joy of children giggling – made into music.
Watch Double Bassist Caimin Gilmore, perform four new Double Bass works, with composer interviews from Billy (age 5), his pal Ben (age 12) and Kate Ellis (Crash Ensemble Artistic Director), as part of The Arts Council/ An Chomhairle Ealaíon Covid 19 Crisis Response Award, every Thursday at 20:30 from June 4th (Sam Perkin), June 11th (Linda Buckley), June 18th (Benedict Schlepper-Connolly) and June 25th (Nick Roth), on Caimin’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMLu7EfNZBv3bmcIlx1-evQ
