amplify

Amplify returns with a conversation with Michael Gallen about his new opera 'The Curing Line'. Ahead of performances in Strasbourg and Paris in September and November, the composer talks to Jonathan Grimes about the ideas and themes behind the opera and the process of creating the work. Show Notes Michael Gallen Composer website The Curing Line Musica festival performance Theatre de la Ville Paris performances Music As Amharc - Miroirs Étendus (1:26) Amhrán na gCoinnle - Amy Ní Fhearraigh, Miroirs Étendus (11:35) All other extracts taken during rehearsals at Íontas Theatre, Castleblayney in July 2026 Interview recorded at Íontas Arts Centre, Castleblayney, July 2026 Image credit: Maria Lax Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of amplify features a showcase performance at NMDX 2026 from mixed-media artist, Anna Murray as part of her new project 'INK' combining live painting and electronics together in an improvised performance. This performance was recorded at IMRO on 17 April 2026 during CMC's New Music Dublin Exchange - an international networking and exchange programme which takes place as part of New Music Dublin festival. The episode also features a interview with Anna in conversation with CMC's Jonathan Grimes. You can view Anna's performance recorded live at NMDX 2026 here Show Notes Anna Murray 'INK' New Music Dublin Exchange 2026 New Music Dublin NMDX is made possible through the generous support of Culture Ireland, with additional funding provided by New Music Dublin. CMC would also like to thank IMRO for their support of the showcase performances and for hosting the programme. Episode Credits Hosted by Evonne Ferguson and Jonathan Grimes Audio Editing: Keith Fennell Audio Recording and Live Production: Keith Fennell and Garrett Sholdice Video Recording and Editing: Meabh Noonan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of amplify features an improvised performance from composer and improvisor, Timothy Cape and violist, composer and sound artist, Joanna Mattrey, as part of a showcase performance at NMDX 2026. This performance was recorded at IMRO on 16 April 2026 during CMC's New Music Dublin Exchange - an international networking and exchange programme which takes place as part of New Music Dublin festival. The episode also features a post-performance interview with Timothy and Joanna in conversation with CMC's Jonathan Grimes. You can view Tim and Joanna's performance recorded live at NMDX 2026 here Show Notes Timothy Cape Joanna Mattrey New Music Dublin Exchange 2026 New Music Dublin NMDX is made possible through the generous support of Culture Ireland, with additional funding provided by New Music Dublin. CMC would also like to thank IMRO for their support of the showcase performances and for hosting the programme. Episode Credits Hosted by Evonne Ferguson and Jonathan Grimes Audio Editing: Keith Fennell Audio Recording and Live Production: Keith Fennell and Garrett Sholdice Video Recording and Editing: Meabh Noonan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul and Nadar ensemble performed his new piece, Personal Best as part of What’s next? , a concert of four new works developed by early-career composers as part of the 2025 NADAR Summer School. The summer school and international festival commissions were supported by NADAR in partnership with the Contemporary Music Centre, New Music Dublin (Ireland), Gaudeamus (Netherlands), Warsaw Autumn (Poland) and Transit Festival (Belgium). Show Notes Paul Scully What’s next? Nadar Summer School @ New Music Dublin 2026 New Music Dublin Festival Gaudeamas Festival Warsaw Autumn Festival Episode Credits Recorded and edited by Jonathan Grimes Additional editing by Keith Fennell Hosted by Evonne Ferguson and Jonathan Grimes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The final episode of 2025 features a conversation with pioneering sound artist Danny McCarthy. Recorded in early December at CMC to mark the launch of his new album on Farpoint Recordings, Haunted by Silence, the episode also includes a live performance from the launch in the CMC’s Creative Space, featuring Danny alongside Anthony Kelly and David Stalling. Presented by Jonathan Grimes. Shownotes: https://www.cmc.ie/amplify/episode-129 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CMC Emerging Composers Laura Heneghan and Santiago Kodela, and co-founder of Icon Arts Transylvania Academy and Festival Diana Gheorghiu talk to Evonne Ferguson about the InTERRActions concert tour showcasing recent work from Romania and Ireland, and the Composer Residency at the ICON Arts Festival in Sibiu, Transylvania, attended this summer by both composers as part of CMC's ongoing partnership with the festival. Presented by Jonathan Grimes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Conversations with some of the featured artists at this year’s RAMP Festival in Rathmullan, Co. Donegal which took place in July. Timothy Cape, Mayah Kadish, Rob Casey and Ailbhe Nic Oireachtaigh talk to Jonathan Grimes.Show Notes RAMP Festival 2025 Timothy Cape CMC Composer Page Mayah Kadish Ailbhe Nic Oireachtaigh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amplify returns with a conversation with composer Jonathan Nangle , recorded during this year’s ISCM World New Music Days 2025 in Lisbon in June. Presented by Jonathan Grimes, the episode centres on Nangle’s work Artificial Blissful State — performed at the festival by saxophonist Henrique Portovedo — a piece that reflects on our relationship with technology and how we are increasingly controlled by it. Shownotes: https://www.cmc.ie/amplify/episode-126 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A conversation with composer and guitarist John Godfrey, Artistic Director of Quiet Music Ensemble, recorded in May 2025 ahead of the launch in CMC of two new albums on Farpoint Recordings - *Moon Phases* by Francis Heery and a remastered edition of *The Mysteries Beyond Matter*. Presented by Jonathan Grimes, the episode includes an extract from a live performance recorded at the launch event with John Godfrey, QME cellist Yseult Cooper Stockdale, and Anthony Kelly and David Stalling of Farpoint Recordings. Shownotes: https://www.cmc.ie/amplify/episode-125 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This special live edition of amplify , recorded this April as part of the Music Current Festival in Dublin, presents Who Owns Music? A Discussion on Ownership of Music Material and Communities. The panel features Laetitia Deering (DIY arts facilitator), Eamonn Keating (IMRO), Maximilian Marcoll (festival composer) and Thilo Ruck (festival musician), who explore how digital technology is reshaping ideas of ownership in music — from copyright and distribution to creative control and the role of community. Hosted by Jonathan Grimes. Show Notes Music Current Festival Laetitia Deering Eamonn Keating Maximilian Marcoll Thilo Ruck Recording Engineer: Paul Lynch Editing: Keith Fennell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Conversations with Musici Ireland Artistic Director Beth McNinch and violinist Ioana Petcu-Colan, recorded during the launch of the group's album 'Earthrise' at CMC. Presented by Jonathan Grimes with Evonne Ferguson, the episode also features composer Liam Bates talking about composing the album's title track — a viola concerto written for Beth McNinch.Full show notes: https://www.cmc.ie/amplify/episode-123 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the third and final episode of our New Music Dublin Exchange Showcases, saxophonist Robert Finegan performs Jenn Kirby's Tripping . Presented by Jonathan Grimes. Show Notes Robert Finegan Jenn Kirby CMC Composer Page Music recorded at IMRO, Copyright House, Pembroke Row, Baggot Street Lower, Dublin 2, D02 HW59. Recording: Keith Fennell and Garrett Sholdice Editing: Keith Fennell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the second episode of our New Music Dublin Exchange Showcases, CMC Emerging Composer Tadhg Kinsella, a classically trained percussionist and live electronics musician, performs a live improvisation using modular synthesisers. Presented by Jonathan Grimes. Show Notes Tadhg Kinsella Dublin Modular Music recorded at IMRO, Copyright House, Pembroke Row, Baggot Street Lower, Dublin 2, D02 HW59. Recording: Keith Fennell and Garrett Sholdice Editing: Keith Fennell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of amplify features a conversation and improvisation by violinist Cora Venus Lunny and pianist Izumi Kimura, recorded live at the Contemporary Music Centre’s Creative Space as part of New Music Dublin Exchange. Presented by Jonathan Grimes Show Notes Cora Venus Lunny Izumi Kimura Invisible Resistances (Farpoint Recordings, 2022) Folding (with Anthony Kelly) (Farpoint Recordings, 2021) CMC’s New Music Dublin Exchange Music recorded at CMC’s Creative Space, Fishamble Street, Dublin, 2 April 2025. Sound: Keith Fennell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Image credit: Paul Hillier's final concert as AD of Chamber Choir Ireland (In Illo Tempore, October 2024), filmed by Dominik Kosicki. Conductor Paul Hillier, who up to 2024 was Artistic Director of Chamber Choir Ireland, speaks to Evonne Ferguson about some of the Irish composers and works commissioned and performed during his time with the choir. The conversation was recorded in October 2024 and features works by Gerald Barry, Siobhán Cleary, Rhona Clarke, David Fennessy, Andrew Hamilton, Stephen McNeff and Jennifer Walshe. Show NotesChamber Choir Ireland: Paul Hillier Chamber Choir Ireland Composers featured in this episode: Gerald Barry CMC Composer Page Siobhán Cleary CMC Composer Page Rhona Clarke CMC Composer Page David Fennessy CMC Composer Page Andrew Hamilton CMC Composer Page Stephen McNeff CMC Composer Page Jennifer Walshe CMC Composer Page MusicIn order of appearance in the episode: chOirland - David Fennessy Letter to Michael - David Fennessy Theophilus Thistle and the Myth of Miss Muffett - Siobhán Cleary (Live Recording) Everything is Ridiculous - Andrew Hamilton Schott and Sons Mainz - Gerald Barry Long Time - Gerald Barry The White Noisery - Jennifer Walshe (Live Recording) Dives and Lazurus - Stephen McNeff (Live Recording) Pie Jesu from Requiem - Rhona Clarke (Live Recording) All music featured in this episode was performed by Chamber Choir Ireland under the direction of Paul Hillier. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Conversations with some of the artists who featured in the ‘Inventions: the harpsichord across Time and borders' concert on 9 November 2024 at Limerick City Gallery of Art. Jonathan Grimes speaks to harpsichordist Yonit Kosovske and project director Janet Oates, along with composers Evangelia Rigaki, Fiona Linnane and Meadhbh Hayes. Show Notes Inventions: The Harpsichord Across Time and Borders Yonit Kosovske Evangelia Rigaki Janet Oates Fiona Linnane CMC Composer Page Meadhbh Hayes Still, She Rises! concert - 23 March 2025 Music ‘2 steep 4 sheep (some hills are)' by Ailís Ní Ríain, performed live at Limerick City Gallery of Art by Yonit Kosovske on 7 November 2024 ‘Keening' by Evangelia Rigaki, recorded by Yonit Kosovske. ‘Leatherwing' by Fiona Linnane, recorded by Yonit Kosovske. ‘Harpsitrance' by Meadhbh Hayes, performed live at Limerick City Gallery of Art by Yonit Kosovske on 7 November 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CMC’s podcast returns for 2025 with a recording taken from CMC’s recent Spring Gathering event featuring soprano Sylvia O’Brien and flautist Bill Dowdall performing Cathy Purcell’s ‘Droplet’. Winner of the 2024 Finding a Voice Composition Competition, Cathy Purcell also speaks to Jonathan Grimes about her experience composing the work. Presented by Jonathan Grimes and Evonne Ferguson. Show Notes Cathy Purcell Finding a Voice Composition Competition Finding a Voice Festival Evlana Ensemble Sylvia O’Brien Bill Dowdall Music ‘Droplet’ by Cathy Purcell, performed live in CMC by Sylvia O’Brien and Bill Dowdall on 30 January 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CMC celebrated the 60th Birthday of composer, Ian Wilson in CMC on December 4 2024, with an evening of music and discussion. For the final episode of amplify for 2024, Ian Wilson joins music journalist and contemporary music educator Tim Rutherford-Johnson for a conversation spanning his career and centred around a new essay commissioned by CMC. You'll also hear excerpts of live performances from the evening featuring Lina Andonovska (flute), Ioana Petcu-Colan (Violin) and the composer himself, Ian Wilson (piano). Show Notes Tim Rutherford-Johnson Ian Wilson CMC Composer Page Lina Andonovska (Alto flute and piccolo) Ioana Petcu-Colan (Violin) You can order a hard copy of the essay here . Music All music featured in this episode was recorded live in CMC's Library and Creative Space on December 6 2024. Terra and Fuoco from I Quattro Elementi for solo violin - Ioana Petcu-Colan (Violin) Die Zwitscher-Maschine for solo piccolo - Lina Andonovska (Piccolo) Spilliaert's Beach for alto flute and piano - Lina Andonovska (Alto flute) and Ian Wilson (Piano) Episode Credits Recording and editing: Keith Fennell Introduction: Jonathan Grimes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Caterina Schembri, whose debut album 'Sea Salt & Turpentine' was released on Ergodos, talks to Jonathan Grimes about her musical background and work as a composer.Show Notes Caterina Schembri Sea Salt & Turpentine Music All music taken from Sea Salt & Turpentine (Ergodos) Caterina Schembri - Sea salt & Turpentine, Michelle O’Rourke (voice), Ficino Ensemble Caterina Schembri - Soft charcoal over moonstone, Nathan Sherman (viola) Caterina Schembri - There is a willow, Michelle O’Rourke (voice), Ficino Ensemble Caterina Schembri - I wake up in the night when I dream in black and white , Michelle O’Rourke (voice), Ficino Ensemble Caterina Schembri - It was only half as far, Ficino Ensemble Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Larissa O'Grady joins CMC's Jonathan Grimes for an explorative discussion about her new release, Six New Works for Violin. on Farpoint Recordings. Show Notes Six New Works for Violin (Farpoint Recordings) by Larissa O'Grady Six New Works For Violin is the debut release by Larissa O'Grady on the Farpoint Recordings label, and features an extraordinary programme of new music composed by a collection of six leading Irish composers including David Bremner, Jenn Kirby, Judith Ring, Anselm McDonnell, Robert Coleman, Fiona Linnane.This project came into existence as part of the Contemporary Artists Network, established by the Contemporary Music Centre, which pairs composers and performers interested in engaging with contemporary music from Ireland as artistic partners. As part of this Network, in 2022 Larissa O'Grady commissioned six new works for violin and electronics/multimedia by a group of six composers from Ireland, collaborating to explore the possibilities of new sounds, which culminated in a public performance of the commissioned works for violin and multimedia. These commissions were generously supported by Arts Council Ireland.Featuring a wide range of presentations from spoken word to sensor led playback, live and fixed electronics, microtonal writing conveying the chemical process of burning sugar, and a live field recordist recording and playing back the violin and sounds of a greater spotted woodpecker. Farpoint Recordings David Bremner CMC Composer Page Robert Coleman CMC Composer Page Jenn Kirby CMC Composer Page Fiona Linnane CMC Composer Page Judith Ring CMC Composer Page Anselm McDonnell CMC Composer Page Music All music featured in this episode is available from Farpoint Recordings from the links below. Salient Memories - David Bremner Body Fragmented - Jenn Kirby Swept Through the Floods - Judith Ring Rusted Sugar - Anselm McDonnell Capturing Sound - Robert Coleman Would Be Poetess - Fiona Linnane Episode Credits Recording and editing: Jonathan GrimesAdditional Editing: Keith FennellIntroduction: Evonne Ferguson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.