Musici Ireland to release debut album on Métier

Musici Ireland proudly presents their debut album with Métier – a captivating collection of chamber works by living Irish composers, each recorded for the first time. Among the featured works is the newly commissioned “EARTHRISE,” a powerful Concerto for viola and chamber ensemble by Liam Bates, commissioned by violist Beth McNinch, adding an important new work to the viola repertoire. The album also includes the evocative “Her Charms Invited” by Ian Wilson, the ethereal “Fiol String Trio” by Linda Buckley, Deirdre McKay’s intricate “Mr Shah,” and the haunting “Before the Moon Shattered and Shone Again” by Deirdre Gribbin.

Recorded in November 2023 at Grouse Lodge Recording Studios in Ireland, this release showcases the extraordinary talents of musicians from Musici Ireland including violinists Mia Cooper, Ioana Petcu-Colan and Siobhan Doyle; violist Beth McNinch; cellists Katie Tertell and Niamh Molloy; bassist Dominic Dudley; wind players Conor Sheil, Peter Ryan and Meadbh O’Rourke; and harpist Dianne Marshall.

The recording has been expertly produced by Jonathan Allen, a veteran of Abbey Road Studios with over two decades of experience and a distinguished career that includes Grammys, Gramophone Awards, and a BAFTA sound award for his work on the soundtrack of Les Miserables.

This album is a significant addition to the contemporary chamber music repertoire, celebrating the vibrancy and creativity of Ireland’s musical landscape. Divine Art CEO Stephen Sutton has expressed his joy at this new project:

“It’s wonderful to be working with this most excellent of chamber ensembles and presenting a whole set of premiere recordings. Our Métier label has been building a very strong relationship with artists and composers from Ireland and this album will surely be one of the highlights of the coming year.”