In this special bonus episode of amplify, Jonathan Grimes speaks to Brian Bridges about his new work, Ramp Waves which he performed at Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival back in November. Show Notes Michel Chion: Requiem @ HCMF This concert commemorated the 50th anniversary of the premier performance of Michel Chion’s Requiem at the Théâtre Récamier in Paris in 1973 Music Ramp Waves was recorded live at Belfast Festival on 13 October 2023. This interview was recorded on 22 November 2023 at Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival. Editing: Keith Fennell

CMC travelled to Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival back in November. Whilst there we had the great pleasure of interviewing some of Ireland's finest exponents of new music who were performing at the festival. This episode features interviews with Kirkos, Stone Drawn Circles, Jennifer Walshe and Andreas Borregaard Show Notes Music Thank you to the composers, performers, BBC and Music Network for permission to use the recordings featured in this episode. In order of appearance in the episode: Excerpts from Kirkos - Beginner's Guide to Slow Travel (2023) performed and composed collaboratively by Sebastian Adams, Robert Coleman, Yseult Cooper Stockdale, Jane Hackett, Hannah Miller and Joan Somers Donnelly. Recorded live on 21 November at HCMF 2023 by Jonathan Grimes. Excerpt from Karen Power - can you hear me now???? (2019) performed by Stone Drawn Circles. Recorded live on 21 November 2023 at HCMF 2023 by the BBC. Excerpt form Úna Monaghan - In Formation (2023) performed by Stone Drawn Circles. Recorded live on 21 November 2023 at HCMF 2023 by the BBC. Excerpt from Jennifer Walshe - Oscailt (2023) performed by Jennifer Walshe (vocalist), Elizabeth Hilliard (soprano), Nick Roth (saxophone) and Panos Ghikas (viola/electronics). Recorded live at Riverbank Arts Centre on 20 September 2023 by The Rise Studio. Interviews recorded on location at HCMF 2023 by Evonne Ferguson and Jonathan Grimes. Editing: Keith Fennell and Jonathan Grimes.

A very special live podcast event hosted by CMC at this year's Irish Composition Summer School to mark the recent centenary of James Wilson's birth, which took place in 2022, as well as celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Summer School. Show Notes This event featured a programme of works by James Wilson, Martin O'Leary and John Buckley performed by Martin O'Leary (piano) and Patrick Burke (clarinet). The event also included a panel of former students, colleagues and friends of James Wilson including Rhona Clarke, Jane O'Leary, John Buckley, Martin O'Leary and John McLachlan, hosted by CMC's Jonathan Grimes. Recorded live at The Square, Irish Institute of Music & Song, Balbriggan, Dublin. Music Live performances in order of appearance John Buckley Jim Singing (1992) - Performed by Martin O’Leary (piano) Martin O’Leary Jim’s Air from Jimnopodie (1992) - Performed by Martin O’Leary (piano) James Wilson Three Play Things for Clarinet (1983) - Performed by Patrick Burke (clarinet) James Wilson Five Preludes for piano Op.87 (1982) - Performed by Martin O’Leary (piano) Further Notes Recording: Paul Lynch Editing and mixing: Keith Fennell

Recorded during the summer, Evonne Ferguson attended RAMP, the Rathmullan Music Project in Donegal for it's inaugural year. Whilst there Evonne spoke with project directors, Rob Casey and Peter Doherty about the inspiration for launching the project as well as speaking to some of the performers and composers taking part in the project including Una Lee, Xenia Pestova Bennett and Rhodri Davis. Show Notes RAMP is an initiative run by the Northern Lights Project in association with Earagail Arts Festival. Music Performers and composers in order of appearance on the episode: Rob Casey (piano), Ailbhe Nic Oireachtaigh (viola), David Lacey (percussion),Aonghus McEvoy (guitar) Xenia Pestova Bennett (piano) Una Lee (voice) & Aonghus McEvoy (guitar) Una Lee & Landless (voices) Rhodri Davies (harp) All music featured in this episode of the podcast was recorded live at RAMP 2023. Recording: Evonne FergusonEditing: Keith Fennell

Recorded in July of this year, composer John McLachlan talks to Jonathan Grimes about his CMC Composer Residency at the Centre Culturel Irlandais, his current approach to composing, and his new album of piano music recorded by pianist Mary Dullea. Show Notes John McLachlan CMC Composer page John McLachlan Awarded CMC Residency at the Centre Culturel Irlandais, Paris Reflections on the residency Drinking the Stars (Farpoint Recordings) Music John McLachlan - December (Winter Music), Mary Dullea (piano) John McLachlan - Le dernier bourgeon de l’avenir John McLachlan - Ockham’s Razor, Mary Dullea (piano) John McLachlan - fail ceoil, Mary Dullea (piano) John McLachlan - Stone Bell and Sandwave - X. Narita, Mary Dullea (piano) John McLachlan - Stone Bell and Sandwave - XI. Celesta, Mary Dullea (piano) John McLachlan - Stone Bell and Sandwave - XX. Vita, Mary Dullea (piano) Editing: Keith Fennell

Conductor Sinead Hayes joins Jonathan Grimes to discuss CMC and the National Symphony Orchestra’s recent Composer Lab workshop. Composer Lab is professional development initiative which aims to provide a creative and open environment for composers wishing to deepen their understanding of writing for the forces of a full symphony orchestra. Show Notes Composer Lab Composer Lab premiere performance and live broadcast Daragh Black Hynes Geoff Hannan Tom Lane Amy Rooney Sinead Hayes Hard Rain Soloist Ensemble 2023/24 Season NSO & CMC Composer Lab workshop 2023 - musings from the stalls

CMC’s podcast returns for its fifth season with features on CMC’s Culture Night event, curated by CMC Emerging Composer, Paul Scully, composer Robert Coleman’s Timescapes soundwalk as part of IMMA’s Earth Rising Festival, and Ena Brennan’s new opera Breathwork for Irish National Opera. Presented by Jonathan Grimes and Evonne Ferguson, the episode includes contributions from composers Paul Scully, Robert Coleman and Ena Brennan, ornithologist Seán Ronayne, musician Seán Mac Erlaine, director John McIlduff, and soprano Michelle O’Rourke. Show Notes CMC Culture Night Paul Scully Timescapes soundwalk Robert Coleman CMC Composer Page Seán Ronayne Breathwork Ena Brennan CMC Composer Page Recording and editing: Keith Fennell, Jonathan Grimes Production: Jonathan Grimes

Marking his 70th year in 2023, Jonathan Grimes and Evonne Ferguson talk to composer Raymond Deane. The conversation was recorded in front on an invited audience at an event in CMC last month, and also includes extracts from live performances of some of his music. Show Notes Raymond Deane CMC Composer Page Music All music used was recorded live in CMC on 30 June Raymond Deane - Excursus (Robert Finegan - saxophone) Raymond Deane - Microforms (Emma Coulthard - flutes, David Appleton - piano) Raymond Deane - 5 Roses in 4 Parts (Bláth Conroy Murphy, Bríd Ní Ghruagáin, Shane Barriscale and Paul McGough) Recording and editing: Keith Fennell

Recorded in Belfast just before the Hard Rain Soloist Ensemble’s final 2022/23 season concert, Jonathan Grimes talks to the group’s outgoing Artistic Director Greg Caffrey and flautist and Concerts Manager Aisling Agnew about the ensemble’s first 10 years. Show Notes Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble Greg Caffrey CMC web site Music With the exception of the opening music, all music is taken from the Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble’s concert at the Harty Room, Queen’s University Belfast on 16 June 2023 Jane O’Leary - Beneath the Dark Blue Waves (Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble) Rhona Clarke - Non-stop (Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble), Harty Room, Queen’s University, 16 June 2022 Gráinne Mulvey - LUCA (Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble), Harty Room, Queen’s University, 16 June 2022 John Buckley - Three Mobiles after Alexander Calder (Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble), Harty Room, Queen’s University, 16 June 2022

Marking composer Seóirse Bodley’s recent 90th birthday, amplify features a conversation with soprano Sylvia O’Brien about her collaboration with Bodley, and his approach to writing for voice. Presented by Jonathan Grimes and Evonne Ferguson. Show Notes Seóirse Bodley Sylvia O’Brien Music Seóirse Bodley - St Kevin and the Blackbird from ‘The Hiding Places of Love’ (Sylvia O’Brien, Isabelle O’Connell), Hugh Lane Gallery, April 2023 Seóirse Bodley - Squall (Sylvia O’Brien, Seóirse Bodley), Hugh Lane Gallery, April 2007 Seóirse Bodley - The Naked Flame (Sylvia O’Brien, Seóirse Bodley), Hugh Lane Gallery, April 2007 Seóirse Bodley - At Banagher from ‘The Hiding Places of Love’ (Sylvia O’Brien, Seóirse Bodley), Hugh Lane Gallery, April 2013 Seóirse Bodley - At Banagher from ‘The Hiding Places of Love’ (Sylvia O’Brien, Isabelle O’Connell), Hugh Lane Gallery, April 2023 Seóirse Bodley - Postscript from ‘The Hiding Places of Love’ (Sylvia O’Brien, Seóirse Bodley), Hugh Lane Gallery, April 2013 Seóirse Bodley - Cavafy from ‘The Hiding Places of Love’ (Sylvia O’Brien, Seóirse Bodley), Hugh Lane Gallery, April 2013