The Devil’s Dream: Chamber Music by Seán Doherty
Métier, the British new-music label known for its dedication to contemporary composers, deepens its ties with Ireland’s vibrant musical landscape with a striking new release in early 2025. This album presents premiere recordings of Seán Doherty’s captivating works for string quartet, enriched by voice and traditional Irish instruments.
Hailed as “unfailingly gripping” (Irish Times) and “wonderfully imaginative, colourful” (Irish Examiner), Doherty’s chamber music masterfully fuses Irish traditional and classical traditions, creating vivid and dramatic narratives. His compositions traverse poignant themes of death, mourning, and defining moments in Irish history, including the Great Famine, the Easter Rising, and the Troubles. This recording captures the essence of his music, which has captivated live audiences and now receives its first studio treatment.
The performers on this album represent the pinnacle of Irish traditional and classical music. The Sonoro Quartet, celebrated as European Concert Hall Organisation’s ‘Rising Stars’ for the 2023–24 season, brings their virtuosic artistry to these works. They are joined by soprano Sylvia O’Brien, a leading interpreter of contemporary Irish music, and Mark Redmond, an internationally acclaimed uilleann piper. Additional contributions from traditional musicians Lauren O’Neill, Molly Tobin, Robert Harvey, and Doherty himself add further authenticity and depth to this exceptional recording.
Produced by Richard Duckworth, a music technology lecturer at Trinity College Dublin, the album was recorded in Dublin in 2023, ensuring a pristine and evocative soundscape.
Seán Doherty’s talent has earned numerous accolades, including multiple Feis Ceoil choral composition prizes, the West Cork Chamber Music Festival Bursary, and awards from Choir & Organ Magazine. His music has been performed widely by prestigious orchestras, ensembles, and soloists, and his contributions to Métier’s Ghost Songs album (MSV 28599) were praised as “little miracles” by Fanfare.
This album stands as a vivid portrait of one of Ireland’s most compelling contemporary voices, offering listeners an arresting journey through the intersection of history, tradition, and modernity.
Track Listing
- The Devil’s Dream (13:38)
- I. The Tidings (5:45)
- II. Sojourn in the Whale (9:36)
- III. Lament for the Poets (7:31)
- No Go (10:38)
- I. Fr. McCarthy’s Lament (3:46)
- II. Prof. Boole’s Farewell (2:48)
- Paddy’s Rambles through the Gravel Walks (3:26)
Reviews
“This is vast, swirling music for a dense and dowdy landscape – the music of quiet resistance and brutal victory. Somehow there is both defiance and acceptance. It is…deeply inspiring. Do yourself a favour and spend an hour immersed in this stunning performance by the Sonoro Quartet and the wonderful soprano, Dr. Sylvia O’Brien.
” —Richard Dove
“Nevertheless, at its best The Devil’s Dream contains music that places Doherty at the forefront of the most exciting new developments in composition that explore traditional music. The quality of the performances from the Sonoro Quartet, uilleann piper Mark Redmond, soprano Sylvia O’Brien and others is first class and many listeners will surely be impressed…
” —Adrian Smith
“This is a stunning album. Doherty is a fabulous composer and he’s found an excellent group in the Sonoro Quartet to realize his vision. If challenging, exquisitely rendered music with one foot in the Irish tradition is your cup of tea, this album is a must-hear – just exquisite.
” —Daniel Neely
“compelling and imaginative, and… genuinely original. The evidence at hand shows him [Seán Doherty] to be one of Ireland’s most exciting contemporary composers.
” —Ron Schepper
“a musical journey…performance art [not] just a collection of tracks. Fans of classical and folk should check this out…compulsive listening.
” —Jem Condliffe
