Double Bassist Caimin Gilmore (Crash Ensemble, Stargaze, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, RTÉ Symphony Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra) commissioned Linda Buckley, Benedict Schlepper-Connolly, Sam Perkin and Nick Roth – four of Ireland’s most distinctive and vital young composers – to write four new Double Bass works using funds from the Arts Council of Ireland, Cork City Council Arts Office, and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. The pieces were first performed live at the Crawford Art Gallery, Cork, as part of Quiet Lights Festival, on November 23rd 2019.
As part of The Arts Council of Ireland’s Covid-19 Crisis Response Award, to provide access for the public to art during the period of COVID-19 isolation, Caimin is releasing video premieres of each composers’ work on his YouTube Channel, every Thursday night in June, at 20:30 (IST). Culminating in the release of the live EP, ‘String Ogham’, on June 25th.
‘Seancheann’ by Linda Buckley for Double Bass and Tape, premiered on June 11th and available to watch now: https://youtu.be/Lsif8y9_7dg
Speaking about her piece, Linda says: “The pull of the homeland is strong, and especially when one comes from such a special place as the Old Head of Kinsale, County Cork.
Knowing that the premiere of Seancheann (Old Head) would be in Cork, I wanted to pay homage to where I come from. The sense of connectedness somehow grows when away – first in New York, and now in Scotland. I also wanted to explore a gentle side to the double bass, and envelop the listener in immersive sound.”
The pre-recorded live video performance is followed by composer interviews with Billy (age 5), his pal Ben (age 12) and Kate Ellis (Artistic Director Crash Ensemble).
Billy (age 5) plays trumpet. Ben (age 12) is Billy’s pal. He also plays trumpet and has a flare for philosophy. They both like engines and lamps. The two boys conducted four interviews via online video conferencing as part of the project, to have a bit of fun with the composers, ask them about their pieces, play them some trumpet, and have more happy ramblings. The interviews were carried out with help from Kate Ellis, Artistic Director of Crash Ensemble, Ireland’s Foremost Contemporary Music Ensemble.
The ‘String Ogham’ series opened last week with a piece by Sam Perkin, titled ‘<3’. This uplifting track features Caimin Gilmore on Double Bass, Kate Ellis on Cello, and a tape recording. Listen back to hear the unrestrained joy of children giggling – made into music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7KvczfrGDI
Series trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GntBCbm65YY
Watch Double Bassist Caimin Gilmore, perform four new Double Bass works, with composer interviews from Billy (age 5), his pal Ben (age 12) and Kate Ellis (Crash Ensemble Artistic Director), as part of The Arts Council/ An Chomhairle Ealaíon Covid 19 Crisis Response Award, every Thursday at 20:30. Up next in the series: Benedict Schlepper-Connolly’s ‘Blackberry’ on June 18th and Nick Roth’s ‘Arris’ on June 25th, via Caimin’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMLu7EfNZBv3bmcIlx1-evQ
