Feb 16 2024 20 mins
Evolving Harps: Donnchadh Mac Aodha
Donnchadh Mac Aodha is a 21-year old composer and multi-instrumentalist from Dundalk, Co.Louth. As both a traditional and classical musician, Donnchadh finds himself most at home at the interface of these genres and allows his bi-musical upbringing to influence his compositional output. In recent years, he has been heavily influenced by contemporary classical techniques which he weaves into his expanding compositional language. In particular, he is drawn to the Irish language and deals with ideas of belonging and identity in his music.
He was recently awarded the Iain MacLeoid Young Composer Award, having previously won prizes for composition at the West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival & New Ross Piano Festival. In August 2023, Donnchadh was a resident composer at the “Ostrava Days” New Music Festival, where his string quartet “I had no time to hate, because” was performed by Quartetto Prometeo.
This podcast is recorded, edited and produced by Niamh O Brien on behalf of Cruit Éireann| Harp Ireland. The contributor’s views are their own and CÉHI does not take responsibility for personal opinions shared on the podcast.
Cruit Éireann| Harp Ireland is supported by The Arts Council, An Chomhairle Ealaíon, and The Heritage Council.