Donnacha Dennehy: Limina album review

McCarthy/Waarts/National Symphony Orchestra Ireland/McAdams(Nonesuch)Dennehy’s Limina, based on areas of the body, is firmly grounded in the harmonic series, and sparklingly executed here, while Stephen Waarts gives a bravura performance of the Violin Concerto

Donnacha Dennehy: Limina album review

TL;DR

  • Donnacha Dennehy's concertos are characterized by rhythmic grounding and exploration of the harmonic series.
  • 'Limina' was written for and performed by pianist Eliza McCarthy with the National Symphony Orchestra Ireland and conductor Ryan McAdams.
  • The three movements of 'Limina' are named after body parts: Head, Chest, and Nervous System, each exploring distinct musical ideas.
  • The Violin Concerto, performed by Stephen Waarts, is described as propulsive with a virtuosic outer movements and a soaring middle movement.
  • The music is noted for its sense of motion and being held together by centrifugal force.