Wires, Strings & Other Things (on demand for schools)
- 9 January — 31 December 2026
Join Anselm McDonnell as part of our concert at Derravaragh Music Association at Tullynally Castle, Castlepollard on Saturday 14 November, 2026. Anselm will offer insight into his compositional process and share the inspiration behind his new commission written especially for our November tour.
Our November tour features the phenomenal Cheng² Duo. Acclaimed for their electrifying chemistry and flawless performances, cellist Bryan Cheng and pianist Silvie Cheng share more than musical brilliance. As siblings, their deep bond and intuitive connection infuse every note with warmth, vitality and authenticity.
About the composer
Anselm McDonnell (b. 1994) is an Irish/Welsh composer whose music has been described as “abrasive and compelling” (Irish Times) “dazzling… seductive… eerie and disturbing” (Planet Hugill) “a feast for the senses” (Morning Star) and “the cutting edge of musical creativity.” (Opera Journal). A diverse range of interests in cross-genre and multimedia art has led to collaboration with rap artists, lighting designers, poets, filmmakers, dancers, and actors, including the 5-star reviewed Politics of the Imagination, a rap opera commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra. McDonnell’s works embrace musical and emotional contrasts that “evoke emotional territories indicative of our time’s unsettled state of menace, balanced with personal moments of fragile hope and stability. (Get Classical NYC)".
McDonnell has held residencies at the London Symphony Orchestra (Jerwood + composer for 2023/24), Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris (Oct/Nov 23), Belfast City Council (2022) and TACETi Ensemble in Bangkok (Jun 23). International performers of his music include Collegium Novum Zürich (Switzerland), Helsinki Chamber Choir (Finland), Rosetta Ensemble (Japan), GAMEnsemble (Russia), Ottawa Guitar Orchestra (Canada), Ensemble Offspring (Australia), C4 Ensemble (USA), and Avanti! Chamber Orchestra (Finland). In the UK and Ireland, he has been commissioned and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra Ireland, BBC Concert Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Singers, Crash Ensemble, Ulster Touring Opera, Hard Rain Soloist Ensemble, Chamber Choir Ireland, and New Dublin Voices. He is a current member of Sound and Music’s Composer Advisory Group.
Music Network Commissions
We are committed to providing opportunities for Irish composers through our 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.
