www.musicnetwork.ie
Music Network today unveiled its Autumn Season 2014 with an exceptional line-up of talented Irish and international musicians that will tour to nineteen towns and villages across fifteen counties from 16/9/14 to 29/11/14.  The eclectic programme features a range of genres and styles including a Scottish and Irish traditional music tour; a solo fiddle and film show by one of Ireland’s most adventurous and prolific musicians; an Appalachian roots band direct from the Virginian mountains; a very personal programme from one of the world’s rising cello stars and a very special commissioned tour for children and families.

Describing what’s on offer, Music Network CEO Sharon Rollston explains, “Our season gets off to a flying start in September as Irish squeeze box maestro and raconteur Séamus Begley joins Scottish duo Catriona McKay and Chris Stout in a celebration of the music of the Northern Isles. All three are blessed with the gift of spontaneity, so who knows what will happen! In October, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh sets off on a unique journey to the heart of Irish music. His mission: to boldly explore the beauty and humour of traditional music, aided and abetted by his 10-string fiddle, a film projector, and a host of “virtual” guests. ”

She continues, “Then it’s off to the Appalachian mountains as Virginian act Furnace Mountain unleash their own distinctive take on rootsy Americana, breathing new life into old-time, bluegrass and folk tunes.  Meanwhile there’s festive warmth for all the family as five outstanding musicians perform a new work specially commissioned from composer Brian Irvine and are joined by shadow puppeteer and animator Matthew Robins in an exploration of winter wonder in our first ever children’s tour, A Most Peculiar Wintery Thing. This is the first show from a new strategic partnership between Music Network and The Ark that aims to create accessible and high-quality music performance experiences for child and family audiences. Our last tour of 2014 ends the season on a high note as the award-winning German cellist Leonard Elschenbroich offers insights into music and the life of a musician – while serving up some of the most exquisite solo cello playing you’ll hear this year.”

Music Network’s mission is to make live music available and accessible to as many people as possible, giving Irish audiences the chance to experience the very best in international chamber, jazz and traditional music in venues throughout Ireland at affordable prices.  The autumn season tours are co-promoted with a network of valued partner promoters throughout Ireland in order to develop local capacity to provide musical activity. In addition, Music Network works with local Music Education Partnerships in connecting tours to music education programmes with the aim of giving children and young people rich, holistic musical experiences. For the Autumn 2014 season, Music Network will co-present a series of workshops with Chris Stout (fiddle), Catriona McKay (Scottish harp), Caoimhín O’Raghallaigh (fiddle) and Leonard Elschenbroich (cello).

Music Network tours are funded by the Arts Council and are presented in association with RTÉ lyric fm. Tickets for all regional concerts are available from individual venues around the country.  Single tickets for Dublin range from €13 - €18 and can be purchased by calling Music Network on (01) 475 0224 or booking online at www.musicnetwork.ie.

Music Network Presents

Chris Stout (fiddle), Catriona McKay (Scottish harp) and Séamus Begley (accordion, voice) (Scotland/Ireland)

16 - 25 September 2014

“Sonically exquisite” – The Guardian on Stout and McKay

“The interplay between Stout’s fiddle and McKay’s harp was frequently dazzling and complemented by a palpable delight in the music, as Shetland tunes whizzed off into mercurial excursions…” – The Scotsman

“This master of the squeeze box… The Cuas man’s voice is a joy.” The Irish Times on Séamus Begley

For the past 20 years, Catriona McKay and Chris Stout have captivated audiences with their exhilarating and virtuosic live performances: the cascading rhythms of McKay’s harp dovetailing perfectly with Stout’s swooping, soulful violin. Their unique sound, a celebration of music from the Northern Isles, imbues everything from Shetland reels to Swedish waltzes with a wonderfully atmospheric, almost cinematic quality.

Regular visitors to Dingle over the years, the pair are long-standing admirers of Kerry legend Séamus Begley, who joins them for this tour. Winner of the TG4 Singer of the Year Award in 2013 – and a fine storyteller to boot – Begley is also renowned for his distinctive playing style, which remains firmly rooted in tradition while sharing the Scottish duo’s sense of adventure and spontaneity. Here are three mercurial musicians at the top of their game. Expect sparks to fly one minute, and to have your heartstrings tugged the next!

On Tour:

Tuesday 16 September PORTLAOISE (Methodist Church, 8:00PM, €12/€10 Tel. 057 8663355 or online at www.dunamaise.ie)
Wednesday 17 September LETTERKENNY (Regional Cultural Centre, 8:00PM, €12/€10 Tel. 074 9120777 (An Grianán) or online at www.regionalculturalcentre.com)
Thursday 18 September NEWBRIDGE (Riverbank Arts Centre, 8:00PM, €15/€12 Tel. 045 448327 or online at www.riverbank.ie)
Friday 19 September DROGHEDA (Droichead Arts Centre, 8:30PM, €15/€12 Tel. 041 9833946 or online at www.droicheadartscentre.com)
Saturday 20September BAILE MHÚIRNE (Ionad Cultúrtha, 8:30PM, €15/€10/€5 Tel. 026 45733)
Sunday 21 September WATERFORD (Garter Lane Arts Centre, 3:30PM, €15/€12 Tel. 051 855038 or online at www.garterlane.ie)
Tuesday 23 September DUBLIN (Sugar Club, 8:00PM, €18/€13 Tel. 01 4750224 or online at www.musicnetwork.ie)
Wednesday 24 September LISTOWEL (St. John’s Theatre & Arts Centre, 8:00PM, €15/€12 Tel. 068 22566)
Thursday 25 September CORK (Triskel Christchurch, 8:00PM, €18/€16 Tel. 021 4272022 or online at www.triskelartscentre.ie)

Music Network Presents

In My Mind – A Solo Fiddle & Film Show featuring Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh (Ireland)

11 – 19 October 2014

Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, fiddle, hardanger d’amore

“The most imaginative and fascinating musician in all of trad” Earle Hitchner, Irish Echo

“The missing link between Martin Hayes and Purple Haze” Nick Kelly, Irish Independent

Just how would you set about showing the beauty, depth and humour of traditional Irish music to someone who had never heard it? Armed with his trusty 10-string “Hardanger d’Amore” fiddle and a film projector, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh sets out to do exactly that in his unique and wonderful take on what makes Irish traditional music beautiful.

Inside the projector are “virtual guests”, friends whom he has filmed: musician, dancer, singer, poet and landscape, each of whom make the other half of a duet with a live Caoimhín. A better look at what goes on inside a musician’s head could not be had, not if you cut it in half and hinged it open.

One of the most acclaimed (and prolific) traditional musicians of his generation, Ó Raghallaigh has performed in such venues as the Lincoln Centre in NYC, the Barbican in London, and the National Concert Hall in Dublin. In addition to being an established solo artist, he performs duos with accordion player Brendan Begley and Dublin uilleann piper Mick O’Brien, plays in a trio with Martin Hayes and Peadar Ó Riada, and is a member of two groups: The Gloaming and This Is How We Fly.

On Tour:

Saturday 11 October LETTERKENNY (Regional Cultural Centre, 8:00PM, €12/€10 Tel. 074 9120777 (An Grianán) or online at www.regionalculturalcentre.com)
Sunday 12 October SLIGO (The Model, 6:00PM, €12/€10 Tel. 071 9141405 or online at www.themodel.ie)
Monday 13 October CASTLEBAR (Linenhall Arts Centre, 8:00PM, €16/€14 Tel. 094 9023733 or online at www.linenhall.com)
Tuesday 14 October DUBLIN (Sugar Club, 8:00PM, €18/€13 Tel. 01 4750224 or online at www.musicnetwork.ie)
Wednesday 15 October BRAY (Mermaid Arts Centre, 8:00PM, €16/€14 Tel. 01 2724030 or online at www.mermaidartscentre.ie)
Thursday 16October NEWBRIDGE (Riverbank Arts Centre, 8:00PM, €15/€12 Tel. 045 448327 or online at www.riverbank.ie)
Friday 17 October DUN LAOGHAIRE (Pavilion Theatre, 8:00PM, €16/€14 Tel. 01 2312929 or online at www.paviliontheatre.ie)
Saturday 18 October CORK (Triskel Christchurch, 8:00PM, €15/€12 Tel. 021 4272022 or online at www.triskelartscentre.ie)
Sunday 19 October TIPPERARY (Tipperary Excel Centre, 8:00PM, €15/€12 Tel. 062 80520 or online at www.tipperary-excel.com)

Music Network Presents

Furnace Mountain (USA)

28 October – 4 November 2014

Aimee Curl, bass, vocals
Danny Knicely, mandolin, vocals, fiddle
David Van Deventer, fiddle, vocals
Morgan Morrison, bouzouki, vocals

“A Wonderful Band… Gorgeous” – Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2

“Blisteringly good roots music” – Americana UK

“a truly exceptional group” – Rock and Reel Magazine

One of the fast-rising stars of the American roots scene, Furnace Mountain have true Appalachian soil caked onto their boots. With a repertoire largely drawn from the old-time, bluegrass and folk ballad tradition, the quartet’s members all grew up on or near the mountain in Virginia bearing the same name as the group.

At times lively and raucous, at times poignant and poetic, Furnace Mountain have won critical acclaim for their fresh, authentic sound, which combines the heart-worn and effortlessly sweet vocal harmonies of Aimee Curl and Morgan Morrison with fiddle playing that evokes everything from keening bagpipes to lonesome train whistles – with some dazzling mandolin chops thrown in for good measure. The band have performed at folk and bluegrass festivals across the globe, gracing stages from the Yangtze River in China to the banks of the Shenandoah River, where they are the host band of the world famous Watermelon Park Festival each year.

On Tour:

Tuesday 28 October DUBLIN (Sugar Club, 8:00PM, €18/€13, Tel. 01 4750224 or online at www.musicnetwork.ie)
Thursday 30 October BRAY (Mermaid Arts Centre, 8:00PM, €16/€14, Tel. 01 2724030 or online at www.mermaidartscentre.ie)
Friday 31 October DROGHEDA (Droichead Arts Centre, 8:30PM, €16/€14 Tel. 041 9833946 or online at www.droicheadartscentre.com)
Saturday 1 November LETTERKENNY (Regional Cultural Centre, 8:00PM, €12/€10 Tel. 074 9120777 (An Grianán) or online at www.regionalculturalcentre.com)
Sunday 2 November CLIFDEN (Station House Theatre, 8:00PM, €12/€10 on the door, Tel. 095 21699 (information only)
Monday 3 CASTLEBAR (Linenhall Arts Centre, 8:00PM, €16/€14, Tel. 094 9023733 or online at www.thelinenhall.com)
Tuesday 4 November DUN LAOGHAIRE (Pavilion Theatre, 8:00PM, €16/€14, Tel. 01 2312929 or online at www.paviliontheatre.ie)

Music Network and The Ark present

A Most Peculiar Wintery Thing

November- December 2014

“There is nothing finer, more exhilarating, more relentlessly exciting than putting on your musical space suit, leaping headlong into the Indiana Jones hyper ship and exploring the deeper infinity of the odd-shaped legoland we call music. Finding stories, making shapes, expressing desires, swimming in the great magnificent sea of surreality… Come on in, the water’s lovely!!” Brian Irvine

“Some of the most exhilarating and imaginative music you’ll ever hope to hear - musical play in the highest sense: exuberant, spontaneous and irresistibly alive.” Washington Post on Brian Irvine.

As the nights draw in and the days get colder, A Most Peculiar Wintery Thing will delight and inspire in equal measure with a dynamic blend of original music, improvisation and audience interaction. Five world-class musicians will join a live animation artist on stage to explore the magic and mystery of winter in what promises to be an exhilarating experience.

This brand new festive show has been commissioned and specially created for children, their schools and families. At the heart of the performance is a new work by the Belfast-born composer Brian Irvine, who has extensive experience working on music with and for children.  He has also collaborated with everyone from Seamus Heaney and sculptor Eduard Bersudsky to David Holmes and Grammy-award nominee Roman Mints.

Details of this tour to be launched in August and posted on www.musicnetwork.ie and www.ark.ie.

The national tour of A Most Peculiar Wintery Thing is funded by an Arts Council Touring & Dissemination of Work Award

Music Network Presents

My Cello, My Voice with Leonard Elschenbroich, solo cello (Germany)

19 – 29 November 2014

“A performance of tremendous assurance and power… ” – The Guardian

“Exceptional” – Gramophone Magazine

“Intelligent and soulful… a mesmerizing performance” – The Herald

Following the tremendous success of The Naked Violin Tour with Tasmin Little, Music Network is delighted to present Leonard Elschenbroich, one of the most charismatic cellists of his generation, in an evening of masterpieces from the solo cello repertoire. Performing an intriguing programme of music with which he has a deep affinity, Leonard will interweave his playing with anecdotes and stories of personal connections to the pieces.

Lauded for his gorgeous, singing tone and wonderfully expressive playing, the young German cellist has already been invited to perform with a number of eminent conductors, including Dmitri Kitajenko, Manfred Honeck and Christoph Eschenbach, who praised his “depth, expressivity, charisma and perfection…” after a spell-binding duet with Anne-Sophie Mutter.

Chosen as a BBC New Generation Artist in 2012, Elschenbroich has won a slew of awards and performed at many of the world’s most prestigious venues, including the Albert Hall, the Auditorium du Louvre and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Much in demand as a chamber musician, he has also appeared at festivals throughout the world with artists such as Gidon Kremer, the Sitkovetsky Trio and the Piano Trio he formed with Alexei Grynyuk and Nicola Benedetti.

Programme to include:

Bach: Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007
Hindemith: Solo Sonata, Op. 25, No. 3
Piatti: 12 Caprices, Op. 25 (No. 7. Maestoso, No. 11. Adagio - Allegro)
Tavener: Threnos
Lombardi: Essay 3

On Tour:

19 November DUBLIN (Freemasons’ Hall, 8:00PM, €18/€13, Tel. 01 4750224 or online at www.musicnetwork.ie)
Thursday 20 November CASTLECONNELL (All Saint’s Church, 8:00PM, €15/€10 Tel. 061 407372); Friday 21 November SLIGO (The Model, 8:00PM, €20/€10 Tel. 071 9161518 or online at www.hawkswell.com)
Saturday 22 November KILKENNY (St. Mary’s Cathedral, 8:00PM, €15 / €10 Tel. 086 1777017)
Sunday 23 November BIRR (Birr Theatre and Arts Centre, 8:00PM, €16/€14 Tel. 057 9122911 or online at www.birrtheatre.com)
Tuesday 25 November CLIFDEN (Station House Theatre, 8:00PM, €12/€10 on the door, Tel. 095 21699 (information only)
Wednesday 26 November GALWAY (Aula Maxima NUIG, 8:00PM, €18/€14/€6 Tel. 091 705962 or online at www.musicforgalway.ie)
Thursday 27 November CASTLEBAR (Linenhall Arts Centre, 8:00PM, €16/€14 Tel. 094 9023733 or online at www.thelinenhall.com)
Friday 28 November LETTERKENNY (Regional Cultural Centre, 8:00PM, €12/€10 Tel. 074 9120777 (An Grianán) or online at www.regionalculturalcentre.com)
Saturday 29 November DUN LAOGHAIRE (Pavilion Theatre, 8:00PM, €18/€16 Tel. 01 2312929 or online at www.paviliontheatre.ie)