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A SENSE OF THE IRREVERSIBLE: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE MUSIC OF ANN CLEARE

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 September 2022

Abstract

This article examines the music of composer Ann Cleare, focusing on representative works that display her use of microtonality, unconventional scoring, multimedia and extended techniques. It also discusses Cleare's connection to Irish language and poetry, environmentalism and visual art. Several chamber pieces are analysed. The article concludes with discussion of large-scale compositions, including the eyam cycle about the 1665 plague village in Derbyshire, England, and the forthcoming Brexit opera The Little Lives.

Type
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press

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References

1 Derek Scally, ‘Loud and Cleare: Offaly Woman Wowing Audiences with Breakthrough Sounds’, Irish Times, 11 September 2021.

2 The performance at Miller Theatre can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/261225581 (accessed 6 July 2021).

3 Their performance can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyxW35VdU8Y (accessed 6 July 2021).

4 Doireann Ní Ghríófa, ‘On Art and Apocalypse’, gorse, 8 August 2016, http://gorse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/onartapocalypse.pdf, p. 6 (accessed 6 July 2022).

5 Ann Cleare, programme note for eöl. Performed at the 2015 MATA Festival in New York. Program note on composer's website: https://annclearecomposer.com/eol/ (accessed 12 September 2021).

6 www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq-4AI9AiQc (accessed 6 July 2021).

7 ensemble recherche's performance can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqiu2FVVBgg (accessed 6 July 2021).

9 The performance can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=F73f0sme8c0 (accessed 8 July 2021).

10 Ann Cleare, programme note for Earth Waves. Premiered Cary Hall, Dimenna Center, New York, 7 July 2018. Program note on composer's website: https://annclearecomposer.com/earth-waves/ (accessed 12 September 2021).

11 Personal communication, 19 November 2021.

12 The performance can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFst13FZU5I (accessed 7 July 2021).

14 Personal communication, 18 November 2021.