Terry Riley In C Irish

Ireland’s most dynamic promoter of new music, features a recording of the world premiere of In C Irish, a new version of Terry Riley’s In C for an ensemble of traditional Irish musicians.

Louth Contemporary Music Society’s artistic director Eamonn Quinn says, “Working with Terry Riley for his Irish debut back in 2007, when we premiered his specially-commissioned Ancient-Giant-Nude-Hairy-Warriors Racing Down The Slopes Of Battle, was a personal highlight for me. I am delighted that he agreed to a new version of his best-known work, In C, and made himself available to talk about it with the musicians, most of whom were dealing with a concert of notated music for the first time. The result is one of my favourite recordings. I was thrilled that Terry facilitated the players’ interest in improvisation and allowed them introduce traditional Irish tunes into the work.” The recording and mixing were done by David Stalling. It was then mastered at the Emil Berliner Studio in Berlin. It is available in a range of audio qualities, 24-bit/96 kHz high resolution, 16-bit/44 kHz CD quality, as well in a binaural version for headphone listening, and also in surround-sound Dolby Atmos.

The recording will appeal to anyone interested in new music and/or traditional music, as well as listeners wanting to explore a presentation of a 1960s, avant-garde classic in a composer-approved version where the whole soundworld is that of traditional Irish instruments. 

The ground-breaking performance was led by fiddler Zoë Conway, with Dónal Lunny (bouzouki), Paddy Glackin (fiddle), Máirtín O’Connor (accordion), Mick O’Brien (uilleann pipes), Louise Mulcahy (flute) and Michelle Mulcahy (Irish harp). 

Recorded in St Nicholas Church of Ireland, Dundalk, on 17 June 2023. Recording funded by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Create Louth