The IMRO sponsored Hilltown New Music Festival, Castlepollard, is in its landmark fifth year. The festival showcases Irish and International contemporary music, presenting innovative new work to audiences and providing a sustainable place for contemporary music in the Midlands. The 2012 festival takes place from the 20th to the 22nd of July, and will be based around a series of concerts as well as sonic and visual art installations presented over three days.
The festival opens on Friday night with a special gala concert dedicated to the works of iconic 20th century composer John Cage marking the centenary of his birthday. Performers include the Quiet Music Ensemble, Kirkos Ensemble, Strange Attractor, among many others. Before the concert, listeners will have the opportunity to taste food by the Westmeath Slow Food Convivium, who are preparing a taster platter especially for the festival.
The weekend will provide an exciting selection of world class contemporary instrumental and electronic music by emerging and renowned composers. The programme focuses on the relationship between contemporary music and the visual arts.
The centrepiece of the concert programme are two performances by the resident Hilltown Ensemble on Saturday and Sunday, featuring works for voice and strings by composers based in Ireland, augmented by distinguished international guest performances. Among these guests are English musician, sound artist and author David Toop, a well-known figure on the international experimental and improvised music scene; pioneer German electronic musician and composer Asmus Tietchens, and virtuoso violinist Barbara Lüneburg, who has enchanted Hilltown audiences with new programmes of cutting-edge new music each year since the inception of the festival.
Hilltown New Music Festival will take place in the beautiful and picturesque grounds of the medieval castle keep of the Hilltown House, an 18th century listed building. The buildings have grown organically over the centuries and create a unique setting for the 21st century events. This year the festival welcomes anyone who an interest in and an appreciation for music and arts, from adults to children. There will also be guesthouse accommodation and camping available nearby.
As was done for the previous festivals, there was an open international call for audio works, which received a tremendous response of close to a hundred submissions from all over the world. Selected works will be presented in a special listening room during the Hilltown New Music Festival in July 2012.
Tickets are priced at €15 for Friday night (€25 incl. Slow Food Taster Platter) and at €20 for Saturday or Sunday. There is also a festival pass available at a reduced rate of €45 (€55 incl. Slow Food Taster Platter).
For detailed festival schedule, further information and bookings please visit the festival website www.hilltown.ie or email contact@nullhilltown.ie
