Volume 10 No. 3 | Autumn 2012

NEWSLETTER • OF • THE • MUI: MUSICIANS’ UNION OF IRELAND IN THIS ISSUE:

€200,000 Capital Instrument and Music Day Grants €200,000 Musical IMRO revenue down New MUI RTÉ NSO Section Capital Scheme and Committee MUI RTÉ freelance orchestral rates Music Day Grants Chris Long resigns from RTÉ NSO

The Minister for Arts, Heritage and Commenting on the Minister’s announce- European Court of Justice the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan, TD, ment, Sharon Rollston, Chief Executive favourable sick-leave ruling recently confirmed capital funds of Officer, Music Network, said: ‘Music Net- €200,000 for the Music Capital Scheme work is very pleased to be able to continue Russian teenager wins and love:live music/national Music Day the Music Capital Scheme in 2012, as one piano competition 2013. Both initiatives are managed by of a range of supports we offer to Irish Music Network. musicians. As well as individual artists, Christy Moore supports former among others the scheme supports youth Vita Cortex workers The Music Capital Scheme provides bands, ensembles, orchestras, community funding for the purchase of musical initiatives and resource organisations Death of Larry Cunningham instruments to both non-professional working in a diverse range of genres performing groups/ensembles and including rock, pop and contemporary as Daniel O’Donnell receives free- professional performing artists; love:live well as classical, traditional Irish, Baroque, dom of Co. Donegal music, Ireland’s National Music Day, jazz and electronic music. The high number celebrates the value of music in of applications to the scheme each year communities throughout the country brings home the level of need that exists in Tommy Makem to be honoured on 21st June each year. the area of capital provision for music.’ Arts Sector supports thousands Continued on page 2 of jobs

Tim Kirwan, RTÉ NSO violinist, retires

Obituary: Doris Keogh

Simone Orr on the Dublin Symphony Orchestra

Nóra Geraghty on the Clé Club

Dr. David Grant on

Helen Ledwidge on William (Willy) Hofmann, violinmaker and restorer Dublin Symphony Orchestra (DSO) Concert, NCH, 9th June, 2012, l-r: Polly Ballard (cello), Elaine Clark (violin), David Clark (piano), soloists in Beethoven’s Triple Concerto, with Simone Orr (Chairperson, DSO) and Fergus O’Carroll (Conductor). (see also page 5)

Sound Post | Autumn 2012 €200,000 Musical Music Royalties Revenue Capital Scheme and Music Day Grants Decline

Continued from page 1 The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) has reported a fall of 4% in Rollston added: ‘love:live music almost revenue last year to €36.5 million. doubled in size this year on last year’s Commenting on this development, event, with over 300 free live music Vincent Finn, Chief Executive, said the events and an estimated 45,000 people slight fall-off had been expected and taking part. Again, we are delighted to reflected the overall economic climate. receive confirmation of the continued ‘IMRO tends to track the economic support of the Department of Arts, performance of the hospitality, broad- Heritage and the Gaeltacht for this casting and live music sectors, which initiative in 2013’. continue to be affected by the down- Information, application packs and turn’, he said. guidelines are available at: www.music- network.ie/musicians/funding/. Last year, IMRO paid €32.16 million in royalties to its 8,500 members. Some 37% of IMRO’s revenue derives from public performance sources, such as shops, bars, offices and live concerts; radio and television broadcasters pay about 33%; and the balance comes from cable providers and overseas sources. Paul Brady IMRO, which is owned by its members, Among IMRO’s board of directors well- employs fifty staff. Its operating costs known singer-songwriters as Paul of €4.69 million last year were fraction- Brady, Eleanor McEvoy and Charlie ally lower than the €4.73 million McGettigan. recorded the previous year.

New MUI RTÉ NSO Committee

The recently elected MUI RTÉ NSO Section Committee for 2012-2013 is com- posed of Polly Ballard, Matthew Billing, David Clark and David MacKenzie. Sharon Rollston (Photo: Music Network) Earlier this year, an interim committee comprising Ballard, Billing, Clark, Chris Long, Niall O'Loughlin, Connie Tanner and Edward Tapceanu served for several I wish to join the Musicians’ months. Union of Ireland

(BLOCK LETTERS PLEASE) SOUND POST AND FREE MUI RTÉ Freelance Orchestral EXPRESSION Name: ______Daily Rates A forum of free expression, Sound Address______Effective from 29 June 2009 Post welcomes material from MUI members. Unless explicitly stated, Tutti: €149.49 ______the views expressed in this news- Sub-Principal: €159.72 letter, including goods and services ______Principal: €173.18 promoted in advertisements, are not necessarily endorsed by the ______Union. UNION DUES/ARREARS E-mail:______Sound Post is compiled and edited MUI members paying union dues by John Swift, former MUI Secre- Tel:______by cash/cheque, who may possibly tary, and produced by the Commu- be in arrears, are requested to nications Department of SIPTU. Please return completed form to contact the MUI office as soon as Material may be e-mailed to John the Musicians’ Union, Liberty Hall, possible to ensure that they re- Swift [email protected] or main benefit members of the Dublin 1. forwarded to the MUI office. Union.

2 Sound Post | Autumn 2012 Chris Long, Union Activist, European Court of Resigns from RTÉ Justice Favourable Sick Leave Ruling

Chris Long, who resigned from the RTÉ The European Court of Justice National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) in issued a ruling in June 2012 that September, was a leading union activist a worker who becomes ill while on over many years. Following his musical paid annual leave is entitled to education at the Royal Northern claim back, at a later date, the College of Music, Manchester, Kent- time he or she was sick. born Long worked as a freelance double bassist in Britain from the mid-1980s The ruling followed a case taken to 1990. In May 1990, he was appointed to the Spanish supreme court by as a double bass player with what is a group of Spanish trade unions now the RTÉ National Symphony under the 2003 Working Time Orchestra (NSO). Directive. The Spanish Court re- ferred to the European Court a A member of the (British) Musicians’ question on the interpretation of Union from 1984-90, Long joined SIPTU the leave provision of the directive. in 1990. Over the last couple of decades or so, he has been a member of the The European Court ruled it was SIPTU-MUI RTÉ NSO Section Committee irrelevant at what point an illness for some ten years, including four as arises. It said entitlement to paid President. annual leave must be regarded as a particularly important principle In 2003, Chris Long was elected found- Chris Long of EU social law, which is expressly ing Vice-President of the Musicians’ enshrined in the EU Charter of Union of Ireland (MUI) and, at the time Irish Anti-War Movement (IAWM) in Fundamental Rights. of his retirement, he had served as an 2004. A regular participant in the MUI Executive Committee member for IAWM’s many public demonstrations in some seven years, including four as Dublin, Long was elected as the MUI’s Vice-President. representative to that body.

Long was actively involved in all the In more recent years, Long has been major union events since 1990, including centrally involved in the protracted and the RTÉ musicians’ lockout, 1991, the ongoing negotiations relating to RTÉ’s RTÉ strike, 1992, the founding of the major financial crisis which has led to MUI in 2003, the successful MUI cam- jobs losses and reduced pay and condi- paign of the mid-2000s for the employ- tions. He was also a contributor to the ment of indigenous musicians at MUI newsletter, Sound Post. Wexford Festival , and the ongoing campaign for the removal of restrictions The departure of Chris Long, who is on the negotiating rights of freelance returning to Britain after a period of musicians. Moreover, it was on Long’s twenty-two years in Ireland, is a major initiative that the MUI affiliated to the loss for the MUI. Russian Teenager Wins Dublin Tim Kirwan (Photo: Pat Gantley) International Piano Sounds Competition Impressive

…The concert included an extra, Nineteen-year-old Nikolay when violinist Timothy Kirwan, Khozyainov, a native of Russia, won Nikolay Khozyainov appearing for the last time before the first prize of €15,000 at the retirement after a remarkable 48 Dublin International Piano Competi- prizes, including the €3,500 Seán years of service, took over the tion in May. Second prize of €10, 000 O’Connor Bursary, the €1,500 Charles leader’s chair for an invigoratingly went to Jiayan Sun from China; third J. Brennan Prize, and the RTÉ and sharp, fizzy and precise perform- prize of €7,500 was awarded to National Concert Hall Prizes of a ance of Glinka’s ‘Russlan and Andrejs Osokins from Latvia; while concerto with the RTÉ NSO and a Ludmilla’ Overture. fourth prize of €5,000 was won by début recital, respectively. USA-born Alexander Bernstein. Michael Dervan, Music Critic, the The next Dublin International Piano Irish Times, 15th May 2012, on the The highest placed Irish competitor, Competition will take place from 15th- RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra Nadene Fiorentini, won a series of 26th May, 2015. concert at the National Concert Hall, Dublin, on 4th May 2012.

3 Sound Post | Autumn 2012 Vita Cortext Workers Supported by Christy Moore

Not for the first time, singer-song- writer, Christy Moore, paid tribute to the former SIPTU Vita Cortex workers by inviting them to appear at his live gig at the Marquee con- cert in Cork in late June. Four Christy Moore Larry Cunningham months earlier, Moore had played a fundraising concert for the twenty- ter United; Katie Taylor, World Cham- three workers during their five- pion boxer; Cillian Murphy, the actor; Death of Larry month occupation of the Cork plant former Irish international soccer in pursuit of redundancy payments. player, Paul McGrath; and Noam Chomsky, the philosopher, historian Cunningham Support for the SIPTU campaign and human rights campaigner. came from many quarters and, aside One of the legends of the Irish show- from Christy Moore, who dedicated The dispute, which commenced on bands scene, Larry Cunningham, died at his song, Ordinary Man, to the work- the 16th December, 2011, was finally the age of seventy-four on 28th Septem- ers, many other well-known figures resolved in May when the Vita Cortex ber. Born in Clooneen, Granard, Co. Long- pledged their support, including Sir workers received their final redun- ford, in 1938, Cunningham was a Alex Ferguson, manager of Manches- dancy payments. carpenter by trade. Initially a part-time musician, he played with a céili band in Derby for a period before returning to Ireland where he performed with the Daniel O’Donnell Honoured Grafton Showband. His breakthrough came in June 1963 when In what he described as the biggest honour of his career, popular Irish he was fronting the Mighty Avons Show- singer, Daniel O’Donnell, received the freedom of Co. Donegal in June. The band at the Orchid Ballroom, Lifford, Co. award was in recognition of ‘his contribution to music and the ambassado- Donegal. Playing support to Jim Reeves, rial role he has undertaken for Donegal for decades’. who walked off stage over an out-of-tune piano, Cunningham consolidated his sta- The fifty-year-old singer is only the tus as Ireland’s Jim Reeves by completing fifth person to be so honoured, the pre- the American singer’s set. When Reeves vious recipients being the Irish interna- was killed in a plane crash the following tional goalkeepers, Shay Given and year, Cunningham honoured him with his Packie Bonner; songwriter, Phil Coul- recording, Tribute to Jim Reeves, which ter; and the Brennan family of Clannad. sold 40,000 copies within a fortnight in Britain. It was also with that recording At a ceremony marking the occasion that Cunningham became the first Irish- in the County House, Lifford, O’Donnell based artist to break into the British pop was joined by many guests, including charts. songwriter, Pete St. John, and the Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, Further success followed with what was Loyola Ahern. Daniel O’Donnell said probably his most popular hit, Lovely he was genuinely overwhelmed by the Leitrim, which was inspired by his mother, honour: ‘This is a privilege that I a sean-nós singer from Leitrim. The song never expected and I am delighted and was No. 1 in Ireland’s Top Ten for four thrilled…I am honoured and humbled’. Daniel O’Donnell weeks. In 1966, Cunningham and the Mighty Avons attracted a crowd of 6,850 at the Galtymore Ballroom, Cricklewood, Makem to be Honoured London. In a music career spanning half a century, Tommy Makem, the renowned Irish folk Cunningham performed at the Royal Al- singer, is to be honoured in his native town bert Hall, Carnegie Hall and Grand Old of Keady, Co. Armagh, by a new, multi-million Opry and played with the likes of Johnny community and arts centre which is to be Cash, Hank Williams junior and Loretta named after him. Work on the new facility is Lynn. scheduled to commence early next year. It has also been proposed that the town square For many years, Cunningham was a mem- in Keady be renamed ‘Makem Square’. ber of the trade union, the Irish Federation of Musicians and Associated Professions. Makem made his name in Ireland and over- seas as a solo artist and with the famous Larry Cunningham is survived by his wife, Tommy Makem Clancy Brothers. Beatrice, and their four children.

4 Sound Post | Autumn 2012

The Dublin Symphony Orchestra Gala 40th Anniversary Concert, National Concert Hall, Dublin, 31st March 2007. The Dublin Symphony Orchestra – Making Overtures for 45 years

By Simone Orr tra. We now have members from Europe and beyond such as Bognan Rusin In 1967 Lyndon B. Johnson was leader of the ‘free world’, while in Ireland (Poland), Gundula McKeever (Germany), Éamon de Valera occupied the Áras and Fianna Fáil was in power with Jack Noemie Soules (France), Vincent Riou Lynch as Taoiseach. It was a year of new innovations and a time of optimism. (Brittany), Martin Smutny (Czech Repub- lic), Philip Ilten (USA), Nicolaus Gregory In South Africa, Christiaan Barnard per- Three other members who have been with (Malasyia) and Karolina Jabezula (Poland). formed the first heart transplant. The first the orchestra for over are David live television satellite link-up in the world K’Eogh (trombone), Stephanie Griffith Over the past number of years, we have featured the Beatles performing All You (leader of the viola section), Rosney Nulty welcomed many foreign students and Need Is Love to an audience of over 400 (leader of the second violin section and wandering minstrels who have found million people. It was the year Francis orchestra archivist) and Howard Freeman themselves at our door through our web- Chichester became the first man to sail (trumpet). It is this amazing dedication site (www.dublinsymphony.org). Our re- around the world single handedly. Elvis that has held the Orchestra together for hearsals take place weekly from married Pricilla. Dustin Hoffman got se- so many years. September to June and we perform a duced by Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate number of concerts every year. and the first disco opened in London. You The orchestra attracts members from could say it was the summer of love and many walks of life, many of whom have af- So what induces fifty or so amateur and the winter of our discotheque. filiations with various unions such as the semi-professional musicians to brave the ASTI, CWU, IMPACT and the INO, to name elements and congregate every Tuesday Modern classical music was following its but a few. night in St Louis’ School in Rathmines to own peculiar path and the world was ex- play music composed a couple of cen- posed to what was termed ‘minimal music’ The DSO has enjoyed a special relation- turies ago? I think the answer lies in as epitomised by Steve Reich and Philip ship with RTÉ through the National Sym- Berthold Auerbach’s lovely quote: Music Glass. phony Orchestra (NSO), or RTÉ Symphony washes away from the soul the dust of Orchestra as it was known back in the every day life. It was against this backdrop, forty-five 1960s. Three of our principal conductors years ago, that the Dublin Symphony Or- have been members of the NSO: Colin And that’s it. We rehearse. We perform. chestra (DSO) stepped on to the stage of Block (horn) was the first conductor We are purified. the Eccles Street convent hall on Sunday, (1967-77), Padraig O’Connor (viola) the November 12th, 1967, and under the baton second (1978-1983), John Hughes, Music I would like to thank Brian Foley (Principal of Colin Block performed its first concert. Department, RTÉ, the third (1984-1997), Double Bass) for his archival work in rela- The programme included the Egmont and Fergus O’Carroll (Section Principal tion to this article. Overture by Beethoven, the Rosamunde Horn), our present conductor, who has ballet music by Schubert, the Piano Con- guided us since 1997. The next concert by the DSO will be held certo in A minor by Schumann (with in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, in soloist Veronica McSwiney), and Brahms’ From 2005 until 2007 we performed with December. Symphony No. 2. Ciaran Crilly as our Principal Guest Con- ductor. Ciaran is also a guest conductor Dublin-born Admission was five shillings (students 2 with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Simone Orr shillings and sixpence) and the programme (2nd Violin) is notes sold for a reasonable three pennies. John Kinsella who was Head of Music in Chairperson By all accounts, the concert was very well RTÉ until 1988 is a patron of the DSO and of the Dublin received and so began a musical journey also has been a member of our viola Symphony that continues to this day. section. He has composed a huge body of Orchestra. A general work including ten symphonies. John practitioner Three members of the Orchestra who composed the Celebration Overture espe- nurse, she is played in that concert still perform with cially for the DSO to commemorate the a member of us and coincidentally, they all play in the Orchestra’s 40th anniversary in 2007. the trade first violin section: Caitriona McKenna, union, the Margaret Mulvey and Seoirse McCraith. One big change from the ensemble that Irish Nurses’ Each has also led the orchestra on many made its debut 45 years ago is the multi- Organisation occasions in their own inimitable style. national make up of the present orches- (INO). Simone Orr

5 Sound Post | Autumn 2012

Next year, 2013, marks an important anniversary of the trade union movement, a time of major upheaval in Liberty Hall when prevailing circum- stances brought matters to a boil, causing radical changes which represented new hope for many, and a new outlet of expression for the downtrod- den worker was born. I am speaking of course about the founding of the Clé Club in A Decade o 2003. What? The Lockout? Oh well of course there is By Nora Ger that too… but we’ll get around to that in due course. structure the cultural space in Liberty Hall. It is sad to say that Dublin is some- This was seen as a means of reviving the times looked down upon by certain in- historic role of that venue in the cultural stitutions of traditional music. At times life of the city and honouring the founders it seems that Dublin is “not quite as of the ITGWU. Irish” as, for instance, Clare, Sligo or Kerry, each of which boasts long histo- Traditional musician and MUI member Des ries of distinctive styles and highly re- Geraghty, then president of SIPTU, re- garded native musicians, but Dublin solved that the new space should be a wel- has a right to take its place among the coming location for all those interested in great cultural centres, with its own Seán Tyrrell the arts, and put a particular emphasis on crop of unique musicians, not least of community and trade-union based tradi- tional music and song. which would be the Potts family, from ing towards human fulfilment, for which the Liberties, and the O’Connor family. culture plays a central role. James Larkin The Clé Club was founded to correspond During the 1960s, Mick O’Connor was and James Connolly were known to have with the opening of the new theatre and the leader of the Castle Céilí band and vision in this regard, Connolly commenting bar. Founding members included: Sally since those days he and his wife, Ann, on the founding of a new theatre in Liberty Corr; Tom Crean; Séamus Dooley; Nóra have produced a new generation of fine Hall in February 1916 as: “Next to the revo- Geraghty; Jimmy Jordan; Jimmy Kelly; musicians, including internationally lution, the greatest event of 1916.” Delia Mary Maher; Jerry O’Reilly; Manus O’Rior- renowned fiddler, Liam O’Connor. Larkin, sister of Jim, formed the union dan; Noel Pocock; and Kathleen Smyth. It choir in February 1912, which led to the was the unanimous feeling of the founding Liberty Hall also has a long tradition of formation of a drama group four months committee that the different strands of facilitating culture in the city centre. later. The Irish Workers’ Dramatic Class culture should not be kept separate, as is The trade union movement worldwide (trained by Delia Larkin) made its debut on often the case where you have music ses- has always had its share of musicians, St Stephen’s Night 1912 with four one-act sions, singing circles, céilithe or poetry singers, poets and writers who have plays. understood that the battle for better readings, but that the Clé Club should offer a well-rounded variety of themes and wages and conditions does not stop As part of the millennium celebrations, in artists through different disiplines. there, but represents a constant striv- 2003, SIPTU decided to renovate and re- It was agreed that to facilitate full partici- pation, a focus on the “living tradition” should be encouraged and that singers, musicians, poets and dancers, dabblers and aficionados should all be welcome to contribute performances. Although this “open door” policy may have seemed like a gamble at the time, it has so far worked very well, possibly because the high stan- dard set in the early years established a norm, and the respectful attention paid to all who contribute has consistently given newcomers the confidence to rise to that standard.

Another important principle of the club from the outset has been affordability. This is reflected in the low cover charge (cur- rently €5) which is maintained no matter who the invited guest might be, and there have been some very prestigious guests Nora and Des Geraghty indeed!

6 Sound Post | Autumn 2012

full participation. The festival was chaired by Séamus Dooley, Irish Secre- tary of the National Union of Journalists, and run by a small but committed group. From the outset the LHS had the support of SIPTU, the NUJ and other unions as well as Poetry Ireland, which has been an enthusiastic provider of poets and spon- sor of poetry events. Mick O’Connor was the first Hedge Master, giving an illus- trated talk on the history of that famous Dublin institution the Pipers’ Club.

In 2011 the LHS changed its date from June to May in order to join forces with the ICTU and run events in conjunction with the Congress May Day festival, a week-long series of cultural trade-union of Culture events. Also in 2011 the LHS added an ambitious a Geraghty project in the form of the schools out- reach programme, sending musicians into the classrooms to talk to teenagers . Among those who have performed at the about music and song. SIPTU’s Tony club are: Roisin Elsafty, Niamh Parsons, Murphy made overtures to local school Peadar Ó Ceannabhain, John McEvoy, the Larkin Community College and the John Wynne, Liam O’Connor, Sean McK- response was encouraging. The initial eon, Mary Mac Partlan, Thom Moore, project was well received and it was Paudie O’Connor, John O’Brien, Cathal decided to broaden the scope in 2012. Poetry Ireland agreed to support a McConnell, Vinnie Caprani, Peter “the Manus O’Riordan in full voice project to have poet Macdara Woods and Racker” Donnelly, Sibéal Davitt, Joe Aitken, Geordie Murison, Noel O’Grady, piper Néillidh Mulligan combine forces to The Clé Club house band, Liffey Banks, keep the youngsters entertained and Damien Dempsey and . This has played at trade-union events includ- evoke their curiosity. list is by no means exhaustive, but gives ing fundraisers, conferences and demon- a flavour of the diversity and richness of strations all over Ireland and The Clé Club has moved house a couple culture embraced by the Clé Club. internationally. Members of the Clé Club of times since 2003, moving to the have come to regard the club, its band Stag’s Head, No. 1 Dame Court, in 2011 Larkin was famously described by Seán and many contributing singers as some- after a spell in The Flowing Tide. Commit- O’Casey as a man who would put a rose thing of a “cultural wing” of the trade tee membership has changed over the in a vase as well as a loaf of bread on the union movement. years, as has membership of the house table, and it is this ethos that the Clé band, Liffey Banks, but the club contin- Club has nurtured over the years, provid- In 2009, to correspond to the anniver- ues to offer excellent value. Although it ing entertainment for the masses and an sary of the founding of the ITGWU by Jim has attained a certain amount of prestige impressive display for visiting trade Larkin, the club set up an annual festival, and is certainly well known in trade union unionists from other countries, who have The Larkin Hedge School. Now in its and traditional music circles, earning its always been most impressed with the fourth year the festival, which is based in own entry in the second edition of Fintan club and many of whom have kept in Liberty Hall, has provided top-quality lec- Vallely’s Companion to Irish Traditional touch often sending others who have tures, classes, workshops, concerts, po- Music, it has maintained an informal, r come with high expectations and left etry readings and sessions, and all with relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. A satisfied. the same emphasis on affordability and great place to relax after a hard day

fighting for the rights of workers! Information about the Clé Club and the Larkin Hedge School can be found on the club’s website www.cleclub.wetpaint.com or you can contact the club at [email protected].

a Nóra Geraghty is a

member of both

the MUI and the NUJ. Editor of ‘Irish Journalist’, official newsletter of the NUJ in Ire- land, she is also Equality Officer of s the NUJ’s Dublin Branch.

Nora Geraghty Banjofest, l-r: Seán Óg McKenna, Padraig Drew and Barney McKenna

7 Sound Post | Autumn 2012 Arts Sector Supports Thousands of Jobs

According to a new independent report published on 7th October, public funding through the Arts Council supports almost 2,270 jobs in the sector. The report states that the posts generate an- nual turnover of €184 million and a return of €41.8 million in terms of tax revenues, including income tax, PRSI and VAT. The wider arts sector supports 20,755 jobs and contributes €336 Tim Kirwan (Photo: Pat Gantley) million in taxes. The report, Assessment of the Eco- ment, the arts are capable of stimulat- nomic Impact of the Arts in Ireland, ing more job creation and economic RTÉ NSO Violinist, which was written by Indecon and pub- activity at a time we need it most’. lished by the Arts Council, reflects the Tim Kirwan, Retires position in 2011 and updates Indecon’s When the impact of the creative indus- 2009 report on the sector. tries, including film, video, publishing, Following a remarkable career of some advertising, software, radio, television, forty-eight years as a violinist with the Over the five year period up to 2012, libraries, archives museums, etc., is in- RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), the Arts Council’s grant-in-aid has cluded, the arts contribute €4.7 billion Tim Kirwan retired on 4th May last. Hav- been reduced by €22 million or 25%, to the economy, supporting some ing first performed with the Radio Éireann resulting in ‘very significant job losses 77,000 jobs. Symphony Orchestra (RÉSO) as a free- since the 2009 report and proportion- lance player in 1964, Dublin-born Kirwan ate losses of VAT and other taxes to was appointed in August 1968 as a mem- the exchequer. In 2011, total Arts ber of what was by then the RTÉ SO. Council funding amounted to €60 mil- Co-Leader of the RTÉ SO from 1984-87, lion. Kirwan led most of the concerts during the years 1985-86. Blessed with stamina The latest Indecon report states that and good health, Kirwan hardly missed a the ability of arts organisations to day through sick-leave and displayed out- support employment is directly re- standing commitment, professionalism lated to overall income of the arts or- and dedication throughout his forty-eight ganisations. Pat Moylan, Chairperson years as an orchestral player. of the Arts Council, said that the re- port showed that, ‘with smart invest Pat Moylan (Photo: Arts Council) Prior to embarking on a musical career, Kirwan studied the violin at the Municipal School of Music (now the DIT Conserva-

tory of Music and Drama), Dublin, where

^ Sounds Impressive his teachers were^ Clara Greene and Jaroslav Vanecek. It has been said of the American opera sensation Danielle de Niese that, with her around, “not much else matters”. The remarkable thing about her Irish At the time of his retirement, Kirwan had debut, with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra…, was that the whole performance, been a union member for almost half a and not just the star attraction, mattered very much indeed. century. He joined the Irish Federation of Musicians and Associated Professions in …Under its regular guest conductor Neil Thomson…they [the RTÉ Concert 1964 and, for seven successive years from Orchestra] collectively dispatched the accompaniments with versatile stylis- 1969-76, and again for the two-year pe- tic aplomb and ensured that their own four numbers, by Mozart, Gluck, de riod from 1977-79, he was a member of Falla and Donizetti, were immeasurably more than programme fillers. the Federation’s Dublin No. 2 Branch (RTÉ Orchestral Players and Singers) Commit- Andrew Johnstone, Music Critic, the Irish Times, 29th August, 2012, on the tee. For the final three years of his career, RTÉ Concert Orchestra concert at the National Concert Hall, Dublin, on 24th he was a member of the MUI RTÉ NSO August, 2012. Section Committee.

Among union achievements during Kirwan’s period on the Committee in the 1960s and 1970s were significant special pay awards for musicians and singers in 1969 and 1974; and the introduction of supplementary fees for musicians partici- pating in public concerts in which RTÉ was collaborating with external bodies or individuals, and for which there was an admission charge.

His more recent period on the MUI RTÉ NSO Section Committee was dominated by the repercussions of the major finan- cial crisis in RTÉ, including job losses and RTÉ Concert Orchestra (Photo: RTÉ) pay reductions.

8 Sound Post | Autumn 2012 William Vincent Wallace (1812-65) A Bicentenary Appreciation

By Dr. David Grant

William Wallace was probably the greatest musician to come out of Ire- land in the 19th century, being a virtuoso of international renown on both violin and piano. He made a trail-blazing world tour in the period 1835-45, the first known virtuoso of any nation to do so. On his even- tual arrival in London, in 1845, he achieved fame overnight as a com- poser with his first opera which, becoming among the most popular in English worldwide, made his name internationally. However, its very popularity has obscured Wallace’s versatility as a composer (for example, he published some 200 piano pieces and many songs), and has eclipsed his five later completed operas, one of which, William Vincent Wallace The Amber Witch (1861), is among the most ambitious grand operas in English of the whole 19th century. Wallace was born on 11 March 1812 in ond wife and young family, London with his second family in the Waterford city, where his father, emigrated to Australia in 1835—36, early 1860s. Spencer, was stationed for a year as a where William stayed two years. Being musician with the North Mayo the first virtuoso to visit Sydney, he was In 1864, in his early fifties, Wallace de- Regiment of Militia from Ballina, his hailed there as “the Australian veloped a heart condition, and spent home town. Wallace’s mother was Paganini”. His marriage in disarray, his last 18 months in Paris undergoing Elizabeth McKenna of Limerick, where Wallace, leaving his wife and son Willy treatment. Not recovering, however, the couple married in August 1810. there with relatives, crossed the Pacific and with the end in sight, Hélène had In 1816, following Waterloo, the regi- and travelled on northwards to the him moved to the south of France, to ment returned to Ballina, where Caribbean in the years 1838—40, and the Château de Bagen in the Haute William grew up in the years to 1823, finally entered the United States. He Garonne, in sight of the Pyrenées, the when his father joined the 29th was fêted as a virtuoso on violin and home of her sister, the Baroness Marie- Regiment as bandmaster. At that stage, piano in New York in 1843-44, where Thérèse de Saintegême. It was in there were four children: a second his first compositions were published. this romantic location that Wallace son Spencer Wellington, born 1814, with After the success of Maritana, the am- died, surrounded by his second family, daughters Susanna and Eliza bitious Wallace moved into the field on 12th October, 1865. His embalmed following in 1818 and 1820 respectively. of grand opera with his subsequent remains were brought back to London, Susanna probably died young, but works Matilda (1847) and and he was buried in Kensal Green. the others, under their father’s tute- (1847-48) for London . But the first Hélène returned to the USA with their lage, all became professional musicians. proved only a critical success, and the sons, Clarence and Vincent, and died in William far outshone his siblings in mu- second had to be shelved for various Brooklyn in 1885. Isabella Wallace sical ability, however, and when the reasons, and was not staged until lived on in Dublin until 1900, when she family left the army in 1826 and moved 1860. In January 1848, Wallace, as- died aged 87 in Phibsborough. to Dublin, he developed his talents sisted by Franz von Suppé, had the Apart from the composer and his on violin and piano to virtuoso level. In distinction of conducting the continen- immediate family, the rest of the Wal- this he was greatly influenced by tal première of Maritana at the laces who went to Australia died there the internationally-known exponents prestigious Theater an der Wien in eventually. J.B. Logier on piano, based in Dublin, Vienna. and the visiting virtuoso, Niccolò Pa- David Grant ganini, who played at the Dublin Music In the years 1850—60, Wallace returned has just com- Festival of 1831. Hearing Paganini made to New York along with his sister pleted a PhD Wallace determined to become a Eliza, where he lived with his second on Wallace as violin virtuoso, and in 1834, before he partner, the German-born pianist a retirement left Dublin for Australia, he played a Hélène Stoepel. They had two sons. He project with violin concerto of his own at a concert earned a living principally as a the Open Uni- in the Rotunda. The death of the successful composer of salon music, versity Wallaces’ mother in Dublin c. 1830 was but worked away steadily at opera (2010). His probably why William married, at composition. He attempted no less than thesis in- age 19, the even younger Isabella Kelly nine further operas after Lurline cludes a new of Blackrock, a decision which but, following its eventual success at edition of the brought much unhappiness to both of Covent Garden in 1860, only three of Viennese ver- them subsequently. them, The Amber Witch, Love’s Triumph sion of Mari- and were tana (1848) The Wallaces, including the father’s sec- subsequently staged on his return to Dr. David Grant

9 Sound Post | Autumn 2012 Obituary: Doris Keogh (16th April 1922 - 10th August 2012)

The music world lost one of its leading Abbey and Lantern Theatres, and was lights on August 10th 2012 with the first flute of the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, sad passing of Doris Keogh, an inspira- Orchestra. Working regularly with the tional and uniquely committed teacher. Radio Éireann Orchestra, she was un- Professor of flute and recorder at the happy that women were paid less than Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) men and campaigned for equal pay. from 1969-1993, she also taught at the In 1988 she received a Millennium DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama. Award for her contribution to music in Treating her pupils as her other “fam- Dublin and in 1993 was awarded an ily” she gave of her time, life and home honorary fellowship of the RIAM. as though we were all blood relatives. Doris Keogh In her beloved Capriol Consort several On September 8th, many of her former generations of flute and recorder play- students gathered with her Irish friends ers performed music, song and dance of and family in Dublin to pay tribute to nity to forge careers that would never the renaissance and medieval era in full her memory. A feast of music and song have been possible or imaginable with- authentic costume, all painstakingly ensued amid heartfelt personal trib- out her. We thank her family for their in- researched by Doris during visits to the utes. It is a testament to Doris’ endur- dulgence in allowing us to invade her great libraries of the world. ing impact on the international flute life to such an enormous extent. Above world that Sir James Galway wrote an all, we remember her irreverent sense Born in Dublin in 1922, the daughter of extensive tribute that was read aloud at of humour and infectious enthusiasm a professional flautist, her early music the gathering. for the flute and all things musical. studies were with her father and later at the Municipal School of Music, Her students will never forget her and Catriona Ryan Dublin, where she met her future hus- the profound difference she has made Flute Section Leader, RTÉ National band Val Keogh. She performed in the to their lives, giving them the opportu- Symphony Orchestra Times Past

The Joe Hayes’ Terpsichorean Band, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, 1929, l-r: Mick Hayes, Gerard Roche, Sam Prendergast, Jack Hayes, Maureen Hayes, Tommy Fry, Joe Hayes (Leader) and Jim Hayes. Joe Hayes was Treasurer of the Irish Federation of Musicians from 1962-65 (Photo: Hayes’ Collection).

10 Sound Post | Autumn 2012 William (Willy) Hoffman – Violinmaker and Restorer

By Helen Ledwidge

William (Willy) Hofmann was a descendant of the famous Hofmann family of violinmakers from Markneukirchen in Saxony. He was widely respected for his knowledge and skill as a violinmaker and restorer. His father William Georg Hofmann was an apprentice to Ernst Glasel from one of the oldest violin making families in Markneukirchen. In 1906 William Georg came to Dublin to work as a violinmaker in Gustav Meinel’s workshop; on the outbreak of the First World War he was sent to a prisoner of war camp on the Isle of Man.

After the war he returned to the shop in Willy closed the shop in Lincoln Place in Dublin and later he was made a partner 1972 and transferred his clients to his in the business. William Georg set up a new workshop at Sydenham Road, workshop in 1924 at Lincoln Place and Dublin. The five bed-roomed house in 1928 he married Violet Lane, their soon became cluttered with instru- only child William (Willy) was born in ments. One observer who visited the 1929. At the age of twenty, Willy joined house regularly said: “The amount of his father in the business, father and instruments in the house was astonish- son working alongside each other in ing. There were fiddles everywhere their shop opposite the Dental Hospital about the house, they had a board over Willy Hofmann (Photo: By kind permis- in Dublin. Willy didn’t enjoy making fid- the bath that held five cellos.” sion of Áine Hofmann) dles, as he preferred restoring them. The Hofmanns’ honoured craftsmanship After work, Willy played in Theatre Or- brought ‘love and skill’ to their work. chestras, the Gaiety, the Royal, the to display one of the violins his father Once, William Georg proudly repaired Capitol, and the Olympia. At first he had made after he left Germany. one of Ireland’s two Stradivari. Willy re- started playing on the violin, then A group of Willy’s clients organised a fused money for a repair to a Guadagnini changed to the viola ‘the love of his life’ tribute night for him in Merrion Square. because he said, ‘It was a privilege to and then the double bass. Willy’s His old clients from Ireland and abroad have been able to examine it’. The Hof- mother Violet died in 1974. Three years gathered to pay tribute to his crafts- manns were proud of the wood they later Willy married Aíne, who played the manship. Willy Hofmann died in May used, wood that was dried between cello, and they sometimes played in the 2003 aged 73 years. thirty and fifty years, then cut with pre- same orchestra. They were happily cision across the grain, maple from Mit- married for 25 years. Somewhere out there are twenty-six tenwald, Swiss and Argentinean pine. violins and one cello, written on each In 1980 Willy moved to Kilpedder in label Place of Origin Dublin and signed Clients who visited their shop all com- County Wicklow and set up a workshop by William G Hofmann. The Hofmann mented that you would stand in awe at at his home. He worked at his father’s tradition that had stretched from the collection of instruments hanging old workbench, using the same tools Saxony to Dublin died too. up and displayed in cabinets. One that were passed down to him. Willy client, well-known violinist Geraldine O’ was very proud of his father’s work and Helen Ledwidge lives in Kilpedder, Grady, said: “It was a magic cave filled had managed to acquire a cello made County Wicklow, and presently works with the smell of wood shavings, men- by him. It was one of his most treas- as a Genealogist. Her recently pub- tholated spirit, and Willy’s cigars. Both ured possessions. lished local history book ‘Kilpedder a men wore green aprons, the shop walls History of its People’ includes an ex- were cluttered from ceiling to floor with In the early 1990s, Willy and Conor Rus- tended arti- all kinds of stringed instruments, some sell formed a working partnership and cle about behind glass doors. Violins, violas were they opened a workshop in Greystones. Willy Hof- displayed, and the walls were lined with A lifetime of inhaling dust and smoking mann’s life. framed photographs of clients.” took its toll on Willy, who developed Helen would bronchial asthma, and emphysema and like to thank Willy’s father died in 1966. In his life- needed oxygen daily. Willy retired from Aíne Hof- time he made twenty-six violins and the workshop in Greystones in 1998, mann for one cello. In his old ledgers his list of but he still worked from his cottage in their lovely clients included nearly every Convent Kilpedder. chats about Orchestra in the country. His ledger Willy’s life. confirms that he sold a Joseph Rocca A gentleman well known for his sense If you would violin in 1926, a Jacob Steiner violin of humour, he took an avid interest in like to pur- and a cello made by Tobin. Willy noted young musicians and attended Feis chase a copy against each page of a small red book Cheoils on a regular basis. Years after of her book when his father’s violins came up for the Berlin wall was taken down, Willy please send sale and who was the owner of each in- was invited to an exhibition in your details to strument; the book was updated until Markneukirchen, Germany, his father’s ledwidgehelen Willy’s death. hometown. The organisers asked him @gmail.com. Helen Ledwidge

11

Sound Post | Autumn 2012 INTERVAL QUIZ

1. What is the title of Christy Moore’s autobiography?

2. What nationality is Alan Burib- ayev, Principal Conductor of the RTÉ NSO?

3. True or false? Elvis Presley per- formed in Ireland.

4. Which character did Liza Minnelli play in the 1972 musical film, Cabaret?

5. Who composed the well-known Dance of the Hours from the opera, La Gioconda?

6. From where does popular vocal- ist, Imelda May, hail?

7. Name the presenter of Jazz Alley on RTÉ Lyric fm?

8. When did the RTÉ female orches- tral players secure equal pay with their male colleagues?

9. What is the new name of Dublin’s Grand Canal Theatre?

10. Who wrote the lyrics of the song, Raglan Road?

Answers below

atre. 10. Patrick Kavanagh. Patrick 10. atre.

8. 1966. 9. Bord Gáis Energy The- Energy Gáis Bord 9. 1966. 8.

Liberties, Dublin. 7. Donal Helme. Donal 7. Dublin. Liberties,

Sally Bowles. 5. Ponchielli. 6.The Ponchielli. 5. Bowles. Sally

. 2. Kazakh. 3. False. 4. False. 3. Kazakh. 2. . Voice One 1. 1. Answers

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