Audio Installation at Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, 20th – 31st August 2024
Workshop at Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, 22nd August 2024
Album release Friday 27th September 2024
Pre-save link https://lnk.fuga.com/friendlypiece
Ireland’s leading contemporary music group, Crash Ensemble, known for its innovative and boundary-pushing performances, is excited to announce the release of Friendly Piece by the Dublin-born composer Andrew Hamilton. Hamilton, a highly regarded figure in the contemporary classical scene, has collaborated with top ensembles and orchestras worldwide.
Commissioned in 2019 and written during Hamilton’s time as composer in residence with Crash Ensemble. ‘Friendly Piece’ alludes to hovering between things, to evade being pinned down. It explores friendliness and kindness giving you a “tiny bit of joy or even infuriating you.” Everything belongs.
Set to be released digitally on Crash Records Friday 27th September 2024, Friendly Piece, recorded live at Kilkenny Arts Festival in 2023, features Andrew Hamilton (solo violin and voice), perform alongside members of Crash Ensemble: Larissa O’Grady (violin), Lisa Dowdall (viola), Kate Ellis (cello), Caimin Gilmore (double bass), Susan Doyle (flute), Leonie Bluett (clarinet), Roderick O’Keefe (trombone), Brian Bolger (guitar), Alex Petcu (percussion), and Ruth McGinley (piano), conducted by Ryan McAdams.
Friendly Piece explores friendliness and loving kindness, Andrew says:
“The sound of a bird’s wings flapping in Monaghan, a sacred text that helped so much to get through dark times, memories of a childhood obsession with “The Sound of Music” and much more are cut up and thrown into a grid to allow all these elements to intermingle – simplistic answers to be destroyed. Can music be kind? I set that as an impossible question at the beginning of the process, it is good to have no idea what you are doing sometimes. It allows room for freedom and the expanded heart to seep in when your back is turned.”
Kate Ellis, Artistic Director of Crash Ensemble, says: “Friendly Piece is one of the happiest soul nourishing pieces we have played. It’s been a pleasure watching Andrew’s ideas unfold through workshopping in the early stages of the piece and then coming to life in front of audiences at New Music Dublin & Kilkenny Arts Festival. Friendly Piece is the result of Andrew’s fruitful residency with Crash. He is a brilliant human and it has been a joy to work with him during his residency.”
THIS WEEK (20th August): Crash Ensemble present an audio installation and workshop at Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray.
Friendly Piece – Audio Installation | August 20th – 31st (Free Admission)
Here’s an interesting experience for families looking for something to do in Bray: Friendly Piece, an installation by Crash Ensemble, is installed in the Mermaid Arts Centre’s Auditorium from 20th August until 31st August. Interweaving the live recording of Friendly Piece, this audio installation was inspired by the original stage design by Emma Martin, with production by Rob Kearns, and audio by Andrew Hamilton and Crash Ensemble. Admission is free and this experience is suitable for all ages.
Friendly Piece – Workshop | 6pm, August 22nd (duration 1.5 hours) €35
Are you interested in exploring new sounds, improvisations, and creative ideas? Join Irish composer Andrew Hamilton and members of Crash Ensemble for this engaging workshop at Mermaid Arts Centre, Thursday 22nd August. No experience is necessary for this open and relaxed session. Book your place at mermaidartscentre.ie
Supported by The Arts Council of Ireland and Dublin City Council.
https://www.crashensemble.com/
Follow Crash Ensemble on:
Instagram
X / Twitter
Facebook
Youtube