We Who Live Under Heaven (2024)
Fixed Medium (software instruments, electronic transformations).
39 minutes.
The title named after a phrase in James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake.
We Who Live Under Heaven: parts 1 – 6.
Shylit Beaconings (2023)
Fixed Medium (keyboards, software instruments, electronics).
74 minutes.
Each track named after a phrase in James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake.
Individual titles: Broken Heaventalk, In The Thimble Theatre, Oddaugghter Tangotricks, Nosoever Circusdances, Singingsing Tomorrows Gone, Burning Water In Spearlights, Mememormee, Giddy Gadgets, A Jigsaw Puzzle Of Needles And Pins, Heavencry At Earchcall, The Fleurettes Of Novembrance, Music In An Operotic Rogister, Storiella As She Is Syung, In The Languish Of Flowers And Feeling, The Dark Flush Of Night, Singasongapiccolo, Pianage, The Pranks Of Primkissies, In Summerian Sunshine, The Mujikal Chocolat Box, Shylit Beaconings.
In The Dreemplace (2022/24)
Violin, pre-recorded backing track (keyboards, software instruments, electronics), piano, spoken word.
69 minutes.
Commissioned by the Clonmel Junction Arts Festival with funds provided by the Arts Council of Ireland.
Individual titles: Street Games, Duskcended Airs, Lucia’s Dance, Lucia’s Lament, Nightjoys, Listenest.
New tracks added on this re-designed second edition : The Century Of Aeroplanes, A Woman Walked Down A Pier, The Ghost Of My Father, After Everyone’s Gone And The Bar Is Closed, The Clouds Are Not Inaccessible (bonus track).
Finnegans Wake – Suite Of Affections (2021/22)
Spoken word (12 actors, boy singer), pre-recorded backing track (keyboards, software instruments, electronics, trumpet).
Words by James Joyce – setting 28 extracts from Finnegans Wake to music. In 2 Volumes.
2 hours 40 minutes.
Individual titles Volume 1 : What Bitter’s Love But Yurning, Nuvoletta, And Into The Stream That Was Once A River, The Answer, The House Of O’Shea, First She Let her Hair, So And So Toe By Toe, In The House Of Breathings, When I Throw Away My Rollets, Rural Haun, My Rillies Were Liebeneaus, Night By Silentsailing Night, Nowth Upon Nacht, Niece By Nice By Neat, And Can It Be.
Volume 2 :This The Way To The Museyroom, What A Warm Time, Nova Nuvoletta, Jymes Wishes To Hear, Is That The Poolbeg Flasher, In Feenichts Playhouse, Time: The Pressant, Lady Marmela, So Anyhow, Anno Domini Nostri, Oasis Cedarous, What Was Thaas, Dreamwings Folded, Tell Me Something, And Since We Are Talking, Listenest (bonus track).
Volume 1 CD release on the Silverdoor label with online download/streaming on Bandcamp (2022). Volume 2 digital and CD release January 2023.
Preview | Buy Volume 1
Preview | Buy Volume 2
Lights All Askew In The Heavens (2020-21)
59 minutes
Fixed media playback (electronic sounds).
Individual titles: Lightseyes – Dark Adaption, Lights All Askew In The Heavens, Landscape Hangs A Scroll Vivid As Cinema, Civic Twilight, Shiofra, This Timecoloured Place, Darkfall, Timelapse, Seashell Ebb Music.
CD release on the Silverdoor label and online download/streaming on Bandcamp (2021).
iGIRL – Acts 1 and 2 (2019-20)
2 hours 29 minutes
A 21st century electronic opera – studio recording.
Fixed media backing track (Keyboards, Software Instruments, electronics), 7 singers.
Libretto: Marina Carr
Individual titles: Act 1 Overture To iGirl, What’s Happiness?, The Sea Would Not Have Us, I Joanne D’arc, I Girl Of The Cursed Breasts, Recess 1, I Antigone, Have You Fed The Children, How You’ll Weep At The Stake, At The Grove Of The Furies, All That Has Passed, The Quiet Neanderthals.
Act 2 I Oedipus – Son Of My Wife, I Oedipus – The Silver Bolt, When My Mother Died, Recess 2, I Neanderthal Prince Of Plains, I Jocasta, I Girl Yes You Girl, That Her Husband, That She Sometimes, After Your Funeral, My Father Your Husband, Transhumant.
Double CD release on the Silverdoor label with online download/streaming on Bandcamp (2020).
Preview | Buy Act 1
Preview | Buy Act 2
The Electrification Of Night (2018-19)
70 minutes.
Fixed media (Keyboards, Software Instruments, electronics, vocals.
Individual titles: The Electrification Of Night, Ling Liv Low, Tattoo Of Rainfall, Unsung Remains, Dark Tongue, Second Oak, You Not You, Gate Crash, Tlachtga, The New Triangle, Orange Moonlamp, Crashed Out, Malpassion, Neutropenia.
CD release on the Silverdoor label and online download/streaming on Bandcamp (2019).
The Heresy Ostraca (2017-18)
66 minutes
Fixed media (Voice samples, keyboards, software instruments, electronics).
Individual titles: Ostracon 1-13, To Know Again, Ghost Playhouse.
Fragmented audio files from the Heresy opera recordings make unrecognisable new pieces from their re-assemblage.
CD release on Silverdoor/Heresy Records and online download/streaming on Bandcamp (2018).
The Century Of Aeroplanes (2017)
Piano solo.
8 minutes.
Commissioned by pianist Therese Fahey with funds provided by the Arts Council of Ireland
on the occasion of the centenary of the death of Claude Debussy.
HERESY – Acts 1 and 2 (2013-2017)
2 hours 8 minutes
Electronic opera: 5 singers, software instruments, keyboards, continuous electronic soundtrack.
Individual titles: Overture to Act 1, The Throne Room Of Henry III, SceneLink 1, There Are Countless Suns, SceneLink 2, The Divine Sophia, SceneLink 3, At The Court Of Elizabeth I (parts 1-3), SceneLink 4, Entr’acte – Magic Memory,
Overture to Act 2, Cardinal Belarmine, SceneLink 5, The Trial, I Have Nothing To Recant, SceneLink 6, The Cell – Hallucinations, A Material Universe, Death By Fire, Belarmine Coda.
Libretto: Jocelyn Clarke/Eric Fraad.
Double album HERESY – Acts 1 and 2 released for online download/streaming on Bandcamp (2017), and on double CD on Heresy Records (2018).
Preview | Buy Act 1
Preview | Buy Act 2
Homemade Ivory Dreams (2011 and 2013-17)
55 minutes
Software Instruments, keyboards, piano, electronics.
Individual titles: CBG, Skunk Hours In The Demon Mist, Enniode, Growing Up In Formaldehyde, Rodusher, Debusher, Homemade Ivory Dreams, The Long Lake [1], The Long Lake [2], No Lone Man, The Nenuphar Of Nina.
CD release on Silverdoor and online download/streaming on Bandcamp (2017).
Frail Things In Eternal Places (2015-16)
69 minutes
Software Instruments, electronics, improvised and scored vocals
Individual titles: By The Glimmer Of Memory, Shiramine, Within Her Singachamer, Entry Level 8, Mnemonic Space, Theatre Of Memory, Bright Bennu Bird, Chantry, Dark Scenery, Akasha. Mask Up, Her Singtime Sung, The Curves Of Quickest Descent, The Duskiss.
CD release on Silverdoor and online download/streaming on Bandcamp (2016).
Playlist (dates change, currently 2022/23)
(durations change).
A place where you can visit from time to time and listen to changing new tracks as they are being composed.
Software Instruments, electronics.
Individual titles:
Grandfather Clock (2011-14, rev 2018, 2021)
48 minutes
Pieces composed for 2 grandchildren and 5 step grandchildren.
Software instruments, plus live recording of For Ébha for piano, guitar, cello and laptop percussion.
Individual titles: For Ébha, Wassane, Little Deer, Lia Lucra, Kia Lin, Second Oak, Rossa Nova, Sleep (feat. Mary Costelloe).
CD release on Silverdoor and online download/streaming on Bandcamp (2014 and 2021).
The Thousand Year Old Boy (2011-2013)
67 minutes
Software instruments, electronics, boy soprano, Iranian tenor, Turkish Mey flute, soprano saxophone.
Individual titles: Temwani, Nadé, Gyassa, The Thousand Year Old Boy, Gandharva, Apsara, The Sun Is Shining On The Terrace Of Fire, Imperfect Memory, Olesya, Lungtree, Knife- leaves Make Vintage Fabric Of The Sky, Temwani Sleeps.
Released on CD on Silverdoor and online download/streaming on Bandcamp 2013.
Time Machine (2010-2011)
72 minutes
Piano, software instruments, voices.
Text: telephone answering machine messages from 1987-89.
Individual titles: Chalant, Voices Of Parents, Back In Time, Jonathan Prelude, Coat- hanger Kisses, Wassane, Back From Hospital, It’s Very Serious, Salomé At The Gate, Birth, Departure. Bonus track: No Lone Man.
Released on Heresy Records in 2015 through Naxos worldwide distribution. Original Release on CD by Psychonavigation Records in 2012, as Chalant – Memento Mori with extra tracks (Far Faraway, Burning In Your Fire), now bonus tracks.
Preview | Buy
The Room In The Tower (2008-9)
55 minutes
Piano, bass clarinet, ‘cello, double bass, female singer and playback of recorded acted scenes
(also version for piano, singer and playback)
Text: Carlo Gebler
MS: Composer, Crash Ensemble and Contemporary Music Centre, Dublin
Released on CD by Lagan Press in 2011, revised re-issue Silverdoor 2015 and online on Bandcamp 2012.
Paavo’s Engagement (2008)
17 minutes
Piano
Released on CD on Psychonavigation (Ireland) in 2009 and online on Bandcamp 2012.
Adolf Gebler, Clarinettist (2007-8)
41 minutes
Symphony orchestra, piano, female singer and playback of recorded acted scenes (also revised studio version for software virtual orchestra and singer).
Text: Carlo Gebler
MS: National Symphony Orchestra (Ireland), composer and Contemporary Music Centre
Released on CD on Psychonavigation in 2009 and online on Bandcamp 2012.
Cool Steel Army (2005 and 2007)
12 minutes
Variable ensemble – first performance: piano, saxophone, electric guitar, 2 percussion and electronic sounds
(also version for piano, laptop percussion and playback)
MS: Bradyworks Ensemble Montreal,composer and Contemporary Music Centre, Dublin
Released on CD on Psychonavigation Records in 2009 and online on Bandcamp 2012.
Passades (2002-2007)
3 hours
CD (electronic sounds and transformed voices)
Individual titles: Volume 1 – Opening, First Set, Second Set, Third Set, Fourth Set, Closing. Volume 2 – The Opening, Frozen In Stereoscope, Link/Separator 1, The Sixth Set, Link/Separator 2, The Seventh Set, Link/Separator 3, Virdissa. Volume 3 – The Ninth Set.
Volumes 1 and 2 released on BV Haast (The Netherlands) on 2 CDs in 2004 and 2005. Volume 3 released on CD on Die Stadt (Germany) in 2007. All online on Bandcamp 2012.
Preview | Buy Volume 1
Preview | Buy Volume 2
Preview | Buy Volume 3 (The Ninth Set)
The Idea And Its Shadow (2000)
5 minutes
CD (spoken text and electronic sounds)
Released on BV Haast in 2005 and Silverdoor (Ireland) in 2001 and online on Bandcamp 2012.
Ten Themes (all is bright) (2000)
9 minutes
Piano
Released on the Baby Grand album on BV Haast in 2006, and on Bandcamp 2012.
Babel (1981, 1983-86 and 1988-1999)
6 hours 15 minutes
Tape ( at different times : electronic sounds, vocals, Fairlight Computer Music Instrument, pianos, synthesizers, digital sampler, electric guitars, clarinets, saxophones, French horn, violins, bassoon, trumpet, uilleann pipes, low whistle, accordion, flute, spoken texts).
Individual titles (main section: CDs 1,2,3): Pagoda Charm, Mansard, Yunnus, Earth To Earth, Cantilena, Kalu Rehearsals, Mercedes Spring, The Iron Language Alphabet, Entry Levels 1 and 2, Mr. Brady’s Room, Squat, The Room Of Rhetoric, Spirit Levels 1 – 4, The Stairwell, Dark Scenery Court Games, The Dressing Room, Vertical Fissures In Stone, Beautiful Day, Mall Fountain, Johnny’s Body At 002, Mr. Foley’s Final Moments.
Individual titles (KBBL section: CDs 4,5): The Morning Show (which includes You Must Be In, President Hillary And The Sherpas, Walter Ego’s Weekend, The Seventh Angel’s Flying Dream, Nanda In The Bar, Brunswick Leaves) , Surface Du Monde (which includes L’amour d’une Poule Au Ritz, Lettuce Is My Hair Well Watered, Navigatio, Ronda De Bastos, Au Fond du Jardin, I May Never Come Back ), Trapeze In Full-Moon Nights, The Entertainment And Leisure Pursuits Show (which includes Alle Rouste, The Proposal, No More Mr. Nice Guy, Movie Theme, Sir Geoffrey, Senanbru Vendanswi ), The Nightshow (which includes The Garden Room, Some Flooded Plain, The Blue Line To Wonderland, Satanasa, Part Of My Make-up, Farewell To Bray, Sleep).
Released on Silverdoor 5-CD set in 1999 and online download/streaming on Bandcamp 2012.
Preview | Buy BABEL – re-formatted onto 1 page.
Tradarr (1999)
20 minutes
Uilleann pipes, wind ensemble, double bass, percussion, sean-nos singer, live electronics.
Released on Netherlands Wind Ensemble label in 2000. This online extract uploaded to Bandcamp 2014.
MS in Contemporary Music Centre, Dublin.
Shindstu (1998)
10 minutes
Guitar, saxophone, percussion, trombone and live eletronics
Released on Caprice Records (Sweden) 2005.
MS in Contemporary Music Centre.
Under the Green Time (1995)
11 minutes
Uilleann pipes, flute and electronic sounds.
Included on CMC (Ireland) free promotional CD in 1997 and on Netherlands Wind Ensemble label in 2000. Original pipes and electronics studio version uploaded to Bandcamp 2012.
Charlotte Corday and the Lament of Louis XVI (1989)
25 minutes
Tape (electronic and concrete sounds and voices)
Released on CD by Artware Audio (Germany) 1992, and BV Haast (Holland) 2004, and online download/streaming on Bandcamp 2012.
Salome (1988-1990, 1993,1995)
Suite from music for Oscar Wilde play
1 hour
Piano
Individual titles: Banquet Medley, Opening, Salome’s Entrance, Seduction Of The Guard, The Temptation Of John The Baptist, Death Of The Young Syrian, The Rejection Of Salome, Herod’s Entrance, Herod’s Descent Into Madness, Salome’s Dance, Herod Offers Salome Riches, The Execution, Salome’s Lament.
Released on CD by Gate Theatre Ireland (2000, now deleted). 5 tracks on the BV Haast released Baby Grand album (2006) on CD and online download/streaming on Bandcamp 2012..
Contents Of The Pay-Jar (1983-88)
1 hour 10 minutes
Tape (Fairlight C.M.I. and voices)
Individual titles: Sidewards and Pinkways, Physical Missing, Clear The Drains, Chinja Miniatures, Arminarm, Fire On The Water 1 and 2, Quiet Slipper Year, Seresa 1, Pilar, Seresa 2 and 3, Say Yes To The Nice Lady, Ordained For Grave Dancing, Original Spring Is Coming, Come Down Off That Ceiling, Why Orange, Contempo.
Original release on cassette by Operating Theatre Tapes (Ireland) in 1989, called Light Years. Released on double CD Fairlight Memories on Silverdoor in 2000, and online on Bandcamp 2012.
These Unsolved Mysteries (1987)
20 minutes
Tape (symphony orchestra, voice, electronic and concrete sounds).
Tape in RTE sound archive. MS in Contemporary Music Centre.
Oedipus/Dracula Music (1986/87)
Best extracts of music for those theatre productions
11 minutes
Tape (synthesizers)
Released on Silverdoor in 2000.
Budawanny (1986)
Suite from film soundtrack
42 minutes
Tape (piano, synthesizers)
Individual titles: Opening Music, Priest On Motorbike, Moving In, Inspecting The House, The Storm, The Vigil, Pregnant, The Boat Race, The Dance, Parting, Ecce, Budawanny.
Original release on cassette (1987), LP (1990). Re-released on CD on Silverdoor 2002. 3 live concert variations released on BV Haast Baby Grand album (2006), and online on Bandcamp 2012.
The Love Of Don Perlimplin And Belisa In The Garden (1984 rev. ’88)
Suite from music for Lorca play
56 minutes
Tape (Fairlight C.M.I. and vocals)
Individual titles: Curtain Music, Opening Music, What Good Would Marriage Do Me, Ah Love Ah Love, Preparations For The Wedding, The Wedding, Wedding Night Music, Comings And Goings, Perlimplin Dreams, Curtain Music, Love Love That Here Lies Wounded, Again I Have Failed To See Him, He Writes Me Letters, Don Perlimplin Has No Honour, The Garden, Upon The Banks Of The River, Perlimplin Dies.
Original release on cassette by Operating Theatre Tapes (Ireland) in 1989. Released on double CD Fairlight Memories on Silverdoor in 2000, and online on Bandcamp 2012.
Atlantean (1983)
Music for documentary series
3 minutes and 11 minutes (2 versions)
Tape (Fairlight C.M.I.) and concert version for 2 synthesizers, hand drum and fiddle.
Released on Silverdoor (both versions) in 2002 and online on Bandcamp 2012.
Operating Theatre – The Early Years (1980-1986 and 1999)
1 hour 33 minutes
Tape ( at different times: vocals, synthesizers, piano, Fairlight C.M.I., harmonium, drums, bass guitar, trombone.)
Individual titles: Sir Geoffrey, Part Of My Make-up, No Come, Syllable, Dragon Path, The Confectioners, Miss Mauger, Austrian, Positive Disintegration, Blue Light And Alpha Waves, Rampwalk, Satanasa, Ah Love Ah Love, Fingerdance Waltz/Hymn, Club Music/Amene-Moi, Belisa In The Garden, Don Perlimplin Has No Honour, The Tractor, Queen Of No Heart, Spring Is Coming With A Strawberry In The Mouth, Before She Was Asked To Dance, Johnny’s Body At 002. Bonus tracks: Gloss And Eggshell, Elation After Hours, Honey I’m Home, 10 Themes, Spring Is Coming 12″ version, Open The Door My Sweetheart.
Some material released as vinyl singles in 1981/82 by CBS Records. Also a mini-LP called Miss Mauger in 1983 on the Kabuki label (London), plus a single on the Mother label (set up by U2) in 1986. Released on a double CD in 2006 on Operating Theatre/Dublin Electronic Arts Festival label, and online on Bandcamp 2012.
Rapid Eye Movements (1978-1980)
30 minutes
Tape (electronic and concrete sounds)
Originally released on LP in 1981 by United Dairies (London). Re-released on Silverdoor in 2003, and online on Bandcamp 2012.
Fin-estra (1977)
25 minutes
Tape (electronic and concrete sounds)
Originally released on LP in 1981 by United Dairies (London). Re-released on Silverdoor in 2003 and online on Bandcamp 2012.
Thalia (1976)
29 minutes
Tape (electronic and concrete sounds and voices)
Originally released on LP in 1978 on CBS Classics. Re-released on Silverdoor 2002 and online on Bandcamp 2012.
Solar Eyes (1975)
13 minutes
Tape (electronic and concrete sounds)
Originally released on LP in 1978 on CBS Classics. Re-released on Silverdoor in 2002 and online on Bandcamp 2012.
All The Rage (1974)
9 minutes
Symphony Orchestra
Tape in RTE sound archive. MS in Contemporary Music Centre.
Oizzo No (1968-1975)
43 minutes
Tape ( at different times: electronic and concrete sounds, piano, flute and string orchestra, uilleann pipes, tin whistle and Irish harp, voices, drums, guitar, clarinet, violin, viola, cello).
Individual titles: Bitter-Sweet Suite, Ceol Sidhe, Oizzo No, Obstinato, Why Is Kilkenny So Good, Two Movements For Flute And Strings, Theme From Emtigon, Extra Bit
Originally self-released on LP in 1975. Re-released on CD on Silverdoor in 2002 and online on Bandcamp 2012.
Six Pieces For Pupils Who Don’t Like Exams (1969/70 and 1973-75)
17 minutes
Piano
Individual titles: Piano Suite (which includes Journeys, In Paris, Dominique This Year ), Bitter-Sweet Suite and Baby Grand.
Bitter-Sweet Suite on Thalia/Oizzo No album (Silverdoor 2002). Piano Suite on Rapid Eye Movements album (Silverdoor 2003). Baby Grand released on BV Haast in 2006.
MS in Contemporary Music Centre.
Me And They (1970)
7 minutes
Wind Quintet and female voice.
MS in Contemporary Music Centre.
Four Sketches (1969)
13 minutes
Symphony Orchestra.
Tape in RTE sound archive. MS in Contemporary Music Centre.
Two Movements For Violin And Piano (1968)
6 minutes
MS in Contemporary Music Centre.
Movement For Guitar And Flute (1968)
3 minutes
MS in Contemporary Music Centre.
Three Poems By Patrick MacDonogh (1968)
8 minutes
Piano and female voice
MS in Contemporary Music Centre.