Music Network today announced plans for its Spring 2022 National Touring Programme. Running from February – April, the programme features world-class traditional, classical and contemporary music offerings including a brand new music show for children, with performances planned in venues across Ireland and in London. For full details and ticket booking please visit www.musicnetwork.ie.
The Spring 2022 touring season starts in February with a compelling new Music Network collaboration featuring the unique and beautiful sound of violas in traditional music from Séamus McGuire and Niamh Varian-Barry, alongside guitarist Gerry O’Beirne (on tour 2nd – 18th February 2022). A fiddle and viola player, composer and singer, Varian-Barry is one of a select few who can move between classical and folk music with ease. Likewise McGuire brings all the richness of the viola to his traditional tunes and sumptuous compositions. O’Beirne, the go-to guitarist for so many musicians, brings his own glorious voice as well as his massive breadth of expertise across many genres to the trio.
Also in February, Music Network and The Ark are delighted to join forces to present WIRES, STRINGS & OTHER THINGS, a performance that encourages musical curiosity and exploration (touring 8th – 25th February 2022). This exciting new work has been specially created for children aged 6+ and will be performed by Andreea Banciu (viola), James Allsopp (bass clarinet) and Ed Devane (electronic instruments). WIRES, STRINGS & OTHER THINGS was composed by Brian Irvine and directed by Wouter Van Looy with stage and costume design by Alyson Cummins, video design by Erato Tzavara, and lighting design by Sarah Jane Shiels.
Music Network’s March tour features twice Grammy-nominated saxophonist Amy Dickson, violinist Sonoko Miriam Welde and pianist Simon Mulligan (on tour 3rd – 13th March 2022). Performing together for the first time, this trio of extraordinary musicians has selected a programme which showcases both their virtuosity and ability to creatively adapt much-loved music to their unusual combination of instruments. Incorporating elements of folk and popular music from around the world, their performances will include Gershwin’s jazz-infused ‘Rhapsody in Blue’, Ravel’s famous ‘Bolero’, and Amy Dickson’s gorgeous transcription of Philip Glass’s shimmering violin sonata, alongside a new Music Network commission by Ronan Guilfoyle.
April brings a solo recital with narration, specially designed for this Music Network tour by violist Jennifer Stumm (on tour 29th March – 6th April 2022). Weaving together music and spoken word on her 16th century viola, Stumm will perform pieces ranging from Bach all the way to Sting, as well as a new Music Network commission by Irish composer Jonathan Nangle. In this mix of talk and performance, the acclaimed violist tells a musical story of how imperfection can be the very thing that gives us our voice.
Music Network’s CEO Sharon Rollston commented: “We’re delighted to announce our Spring 2022 Touring Programme today, which audiences around the country can look forward to catching in their local arts spaces from February onwards. As Ireland’s national music touring and development organisation, Music Network typically works with around 40 partners annually to present up to 100 high quality traditional, jazz and classical music concerts across Ireland and beyond. Kicking 2022 off with four tours, three new commissions, two new collaborations and one brand new children’s music show that celebrates the power of staying curious at any age, there’s plenty to see us through the longer evenings until Spring has well and truly sprung again.”