Berginald presents Bombast!

photo credit Ishmael Claxton

Bombast! featuring works by Black composers, many of whom forming the US-based composer collective Blacknificent 7, and Latiné composers features the world premiere of Joseph Hallman's Clarinet Chamber Concerto, interpolation and extemporization around a Joy Guidry timely and arresting original, powerful and poignant works by such provocative and revolutionary composers as GRAMMY® winning Gabriela Ortiz, GRAMMY® -nominated Kennedy Center Composer-in-Residence Carlos Simon, and Imani Winds founding member Jeff Scott. Listeners will also encounter introspective works by the highly celebrated Nkeiru Okoye, internationally lauded Quinn Mason, GRAMMY® winning composer and Chicago Symphony Orchestra Mead's Composer-in-Residence Jessie Montgomery and GRAMMY® nominated composer Shawn Okpebholo.

Right here in Dublin, Bombast! brings together some of today's most celebrated musicians from around the world such as violinist Chelsea Sharpe of the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra and viola soloist, chamber musician, pedagogue and recording artist Clifton Harrison formerly of the Kreutzer Quartet, in collaboration with some of Ireland's own incredibly gifted musicians such as concert curator, critically acclaimed clarinettist, presenter and recording artist Berginald Rash; the brilliant hornist Hannah Miller of the Irish Chamber Orchestra; Bangers & Crash percussionist Paddy Nolan; internationally lauded and critically acclaimed cellist, composer and recording artist Ailbhe McDonagh of Ireland's own Ficino Ensemble; harpist, recording artist and Ph.D candidate Fiona Gryson and the National Symphony Orchestra's own principal bassoon Greg Crowley. In addition to the bombastic tonal offerings, Bombast! features visual art by New York born, Europe-based visual media artist Ishmael Claxton whose poignant and zeitgeist capturing work has been seen internationally from Japan, the Caribbean, Europe and across the US.

Grouped in couplets of solo and chamber pieces like an ode to the chasm between rugged individualism and the human ache for community and connection, Bombast! is the audacity to live out loud, boldly and unapologetically; the assertion of one's right to exist, and the unwavering expression of and commitment to one's identity despite the risk of violence and retribution.

Artists

Chelsea Sharpe, violin ● Clifton Harrison, viola ● Ailbhe McDonagh, cello ● Fiona Gryson, harp ● Berginald Rash, clarinet ● Greg Crowley, bassoon ● Hannah Miller, horn ● Patrick Nolan, percussion ● John Doyle, conductor ● Ishmael Claxton, visual artist

Programme

JOY GUIDRY Just because I have a dick doesn't mean I'm a Man

CARLOS SIMON Loop for string trio

QUINN MASON In Memory for solo horn

IVÁN ENRIQUE RODRIGUEZ The Broken Contract for harp and recording

NKEIRU OKOYE Breaking Bread for solo viola

JESSIE MONTGOMERY Peace for clarinet and harp

ALLISON LOGGINS-HULL Stolen for solo cello

GABRIELA ORTIZ Atlas-Pumas for violin and marimba

1. Primer Tiempo: Vivo, energico e molto ritmico

2. Medio Tiempo: Leggiero con fantasia

3. Segundo Tiempo: Vivo, energico e molto ritmico

SHAWN OKPEBHOLO There is Always Light for clarinet, bassoon and marimba

JEFF SCOTT The Idle Mind for solo horn

JOSEPH HALLMAN Concerto for B-flat/E-flat clarinet, violin, viola, cello, bassoon, horn, harp & percussion*

1. Berthaleigh

2. Sirius: Cliquant

3. Starry Eyed: Oculus

4. Wishi

5. Yana

6. Shema

* world premiere

Find out more at: www.berginaldrash.com/bombast

Date: Thursday 3rd April, 1.30pm Venue: The Studio at NCH Tickets: €17.50 Multi-Concert Discount Packages available