This piece was inspired by a recording I took of a forest in Leitrim. During the recording a Blackbird started singing and I was completely engrossed in the music that I was hearing. After a lot of transcribing I wanted to portray all the different layers of sound in the forest (wind, birds, distant vehicles, etc.), and recreate the experience I had. Performed by the String Quartet from the Ficino Ensemble - Larissa O'Grady (vln I), Danny McCann-Williams (vln II), David Kenny (vla), Ailbhe McDonagh (vc) - in TU Dublin, 8th July 2024.

Lon Dubh, for string quartet (2024)

Kian Beatty