COMPOSERS IN PLAY III: Northern Frames spotlights the piano music of Donnacha Dennehy, presented alongside music by Adam Sherkin (the featured performer). Dennehy's works for solo keyboard reveal a more intimate and reflective aspect to this Irish-American composer's art. Three short miniatures take their inspiration from districts in north Dublin, written when Dennehy still resided in that city: "North Circular," "North Strand" (2007) and "North Wall" (2014). The fourth work by Dennehy on this program is one he wrote in 2007: "Reservoir." Inspired by video imagery of gradual submersion in water, Dennehy regards this minimalist veined piece, "as a reservoir of collected resonances, amplified by the use of the sustain pedal."

A composer in his own right, Adam Sherkin presents his eight-movement cycle, Northern Frames, written in 2010 and revised in 2018. This work evolved as a companion piece to Southern Frames for toy piano (2008). It takes inspiration from circumpolar constellations in the northern hemisphere's night sky, offering a glimpse into ancient eyes and minds: an excercise that offers myth and meaning in the 21st century.

Finally on the program, Sherkin performs the US premiere of his cycle, "Postludes Beneath," character pieces that cast a frozen mythological underworld.

PROGRAM: North Strand (2007) North Circular (2007) North Wall (2014) by Donnacha Dennehy

Northern Frames (2018) by Adam Sherkin

~ Intermission ~

Reservoir (2007) by Donnacha Dennehy

Postludes Beneath* (2016) by Adam Sherkin

* US Premiere

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