With no fewer than eight world premieres, Ink Still Wet remains our most exciting vision of new music. As talent development partners with PRSf, Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble are able to fund three early stage career NI composers to write for the ensemble and they also benefit from workshops with the ensemble, discussions with our conductor, and mentorship from more senior composers.

We also greatly welcome the return of the Peter Rosser prize, this year in its sixth edition. With previous prize-winners now forging successful careers, this competition is a great opportunity to witness first-hand the future of Irish contemporary music.

Bookending our programme are two commissions from Northern Irish composers: a first Hard Rain performance for Matthew Whiteside and a return to the uniquely visceral music of Stephen Gardner with a new Arts Council Ireland commission. Not to be missed.

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PROGRAMME

Into Light, Being (2023)* Matthew Whiteside (1988) flute, clarinet, violin, violoncello, piano

Right Thoughts, Not Always Right Order (2023)** Rebecca Doherty (1999) violin, violoncello, piano

The Coming of Pan (2023)** Orly Watson (1992) flute (picc.), piano

Mephistophelian (2023)** Sarah Colgan (2001) clarinet, violin, piano

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Peter Rosser Award Finalists

The Dismemberment of Pentheus (2023) Sam Chambers (1991) flute (alto), clarinet, violin, violoncello, piano

Kittens in the Kitchen (2023) Kevin Free (1992) flute (alto), clarinet (bass cl.), violin, violoncello, piano

Flourishes (2023) Laura Heneghan (1999) - flute (picc.), clarinet (bass cl.), violin, violoncello, piano

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The Tyranny of Time (2023)*** Stephen Gardner (1958) flute, clarinet, violin, violoncello, piano

* Commissioned with funds by the Hope Scott Trust

** Commissioned by PRSf Talent Development Programme 2023/24

*** Commissioned by Arts Council of Ireland

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