The Music Network is the first major national institution to present a commission from 27year-old, Dublin-born composer Donnacha Dennehy, recognising him as one of the most exciting new voices on the Irish musical scene.
Dennehy's musical education includes a Fulbright-supported stint at the University of Illinois following a music degree at TCD. Illinois seems to have been something of an inspiration - there were "12 functioning composers" on the faculty. "A composer thinks differently from someone who's just a pedagogue. Composers think in a strategic way about music."
At 18, Dennehy says, he was most interested in getting a solid technique. "I was fascinated with tonal harmony." In Illinois, he met Salvatore Martirano, a pioneer in the fields of computer music and multimedia work, and clearly a major influence on the shape of the young Irishman's career. Dennehy is currently lecturing in a new TCD course in music technology, and is a key mover behind the recently-launched Crash Ensemble, which promises to raise the profile of electro-acoustic and multi-media endeavours in Ireland.
His new commission is called Pluck, Stroke And Hammer, a piano quintet for Hugh Tinney and the RTE Vanbrugh Quartet. "It's about the interaction between gestures and processes. It's a very process-oriented piece. Those named gestures - pluck, stroke and hammer - are interpreted both in the obvious way, by plucking, stroking and hammering, and in a metaphorical sense, by the emotions that the words conjure up."
Pluck, Stroke And Hammer will be premiered by pianist Hugh Tinney with the RTE Vanbrugh Quartet at St Patrick's Hall, Dublin Castle, tomorrow night. The Music Network tour (also including works by Haydn, Debussy and Brahms) will later take in Drogheda, Castlebar, Letterkenny, Longford, New Ross and Tralee.
