Image: Niwel Tsumbu, Liz Knowles & Niall Vallely photographed by Robert Flanagan during their concert in The Sugar Club
Programme Note
Cliath Ceoil*
Composers: Liz Knowles, Niwel Tsumbu & Niall Vallely
The music we have created in response to Music Network’s commission is really all about communication - communicating with a sense of openness and curiosity.
While the three of us come from very different backgrounds geographically we were able to find lots of common ground. There is a real joy in sitting down with musicians who listen and respond creatively to each other’s sounds and ideas. Although the music has elements of traditional music from Ireland and the Congo as well as other music that we like, these pieces are more about three personalities finding ways to speak to each other musically.
We all came into our meeting with some bits of music that we had been working on but without preconceived notions about how it might turn out. I think this music represents our individual creative voices at the same time as creating some sort of new collective consciousness.The titles of the two pieces are related and both refer to the criss-crossing of sounds and traditions that has taken place in this project.
*The word cliath means a criss-cross or lattice while cliath ceoil is a musical stave.
Liz Knowles - fiddle
Niwel Tsumbu - guitar
Niall Vallely - concertina
Recorded at Triskel Christchurch on 5th May 2023.
Music Network is committed to providing opportunities for Irish composers through its programmes. Commissioning is a vital part of the work we do to nurture music and musicians in Ireland.
Every year we commission a number of new works by Irish composers which are performed by renowned Irish and international performers for audiences across the county as part of our national touring programme.
Commissions
Learn more about our commissions here.
Image: Niwel Tsumbu, Liz Knowles & Niall Vallely photographed by Robert Flanagan during their concert in The Sugar Club