Gaireacht

Tickets £16 // Under 30 £6
Advance booking required

Electric Circus:
Peter O’Doherty electronics
David McCann cello

Ailís Ní Ríain (Ireland, 1974)
Yaw (2024) 10’ World Premiere

Linda O’Keeffe (Ireland, 1975)
The Seasons (2024) 10’ World Premiere

Kaija Saariaho (Finland, 1952-2023)
Près (1992) 18’

Amble Skuse (Scotland, 1977)
All who are weary and heavy-laden, I will give you rest. (2024) 10’ World Premiere

Brona Martin (Ireland, 1983)
Easel Soundscapes (2024) 10’ World Premiere

Click here to view programme note

Irish electroacoustic music ensemble Electric Circus presents new works from four composers, commissioned for its 8-channel speaker array. Each of these new works – by Brona Martin, Ailís Ní Ríain, Linda O’Keeffe and Amble Skuse – take shape as forms of ‘nearness, closeness, proximity’ (‘Gaireacht’ in Irish) to technological transformation.

These transformations create metaphorical and real-world representations of sonic material, exploring possible hybrid futures, where our technological transformation is embedded within our natural world. The works create resonance and atmosphere through a combination of sound and space.

Saariaho’s Près for cello and live electronics anchors the concert, performed with cellist David McCann. The title of the work links to its sister-work (Amers, a nautical term for a leading marks or landmarks), and also to Paul Gaugin’s painting, By the Sea. In Près, the technological transformation expands the musical gestures of the solo instrument in a myriad of directions.

Electric Circus is an initiative of Northern Lights Project and is managed and directed by Peter O’Doherty.

Co-produced by Northern Lights Projects and hcmf// supported by Culture Ireland; also supported by Hinrichsen Foundation and Vaughan Williams Foundation

Yaw, The Seasons, All who are weary and heavy-laden, I will give you rest. and Easel Soundscapes are commissioned with funds provided by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland

Photo: Ailís Ní Ríain / Amble Skuse / Brona Martin / Linda O’Keeffe