Aonaracht I is a collection of six pieces for solo traditional musician and computer. Each piece is a unique combination of the traditional musician, their instrument, and electronics.

Úna Monaghan harp, electronics, composition
with
Paddy Glackin fiddle
Saileog Ní Cheannabháin piano
Pauline Scanlon voice
Jack Talty concertina
and
Nóirín Nic Alastair sculpture

Sound Engineer: Tim Matthew
Producer: Emily Moore

27 Feb, 21:30 – 22:45
The Studio & Carolan Room, National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin 2, Ireland

“Group playing is another modern fashion to be avoided….Traditional playing, it must be remembered, is of its very nature a personal expression, and the restraint demanded in playing in a band or other ensemble kills the spirit which animates it.”
From Breathnach: Folk Music and Dances of Ireland, 1971.

“Traditional music is often thought of and enjoyed in group contexts. I wanted to think of the traditional instrument as it is to the player – first and foremost a private relationship between one person and their instrument. What might it be like if something of that relationship was heard alongside the acoustic instrument? Can technology be used to sound the world of traditional music beyond the tunes?
Each piece has a different theme. Each features a custom-made relationship with the computer, involving fixed media, electroacoustic sound, field recordings, improvisation and live electronics. I worked on this collection with specific players in mind, and shaped the coding and sound for each.” Úna Monaghan

This is an interdisciplinary project involving poetry, sound and visual art, fixed media, field recordings, improvisation and live electronics.
Aonaracht was developed as part of Úna Monaghan’s Liam O’Flynn Award. The Liam O’Flynn Award is a joint initiative of the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the National Concert Hall/An Ceoláras Náisiúnta as part of their partnership for the promotion, appreciation and enjoyment of traditional arts.

Part of New Music Dublin Festival 2020