Music by Ailís Ní Ríain, Linda O’Keeffe, Amble Skuse, Brona Martin and Kaija Saariaho performed by Electric Circus (Peter O’Doherty, electronics, David McCann, cello)

Electroacoustic music ensemble Electric Circus presents new works from four composers, commissioned for its 8-channel speaker array. Each of these new works – by Brona Martin, Ailís Ní Ríain, Linda O’Keeffe and Amble Skuse – take shape as forms of ‘nearness, closeness, proximity’ (‘Gaireacht’ in Irish) to technological transformation.

Saariaho’s Près for cello and live electronics anchors the concert, performed with cellist David McCann. The title of the work links to its sister-work (Amers, a nautical term for leading marks or landmarks), and also to Paul Gaugin’s painting, By the Sea. In Près, the technological transformation expands the musical gestures of the solo instrument in a myriad of directions.