Kevin O'Connell's latest postings http://www.kevinnoconnell.com Latest postings en-us Kevin O'Connell: Didactic works and arrangements http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/work/works03.html New arrangements for solo piano of Gabriel Faure's String Quartet op. 121, first movement, and Pelleas et Melisande op. 80 no. I, Prelude. On variation form http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog25.html This blog tackles the delicate topic of variation form, and includes such issues as modern copyright (and lack thereof in the pre-modern period), as well as the perils of variations. News http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/news/news01.html O'Connell's forthcoming Seminar on variation form and other forthcoming events. Remembering Cornelius Cardew http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog24.html When Cornelius Cardew gave a concert in 1976 to an audience of only six people, he made a lasting impression on a seventeen-year-old. Kevin O'Connell recounts his deep and sometimes amusing experiences of that composer. On composing for Heaney http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog23.html The poetry of Seamus Heaney is articulated in music by composer Kevin O'Connell who also gives a glimpse of what Heaney means to him. On composing for Heaney http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog23.html The poetry of Seamus Heaney is articulated in music by composer Kevin O'Connell who also gives a glimpse of what Heaney means to him. Do you hear it all in your head? http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog22.html Some of the questions that composers get asked are discussed by Kevin O'Connell, and he broaches the difficult question of what contemporary composers actually hear. On musicology http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog21.html Musings on current musicology in the context of Ireland, tonality and cultural identity. On Torsten Rasch http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog20.html Composer Kevin O'Connell appraises Torsten Rasch's pre-expressionist song cycle Mein Herz Brennt, and places its context within German contemporary music. Yeats and Sibelius http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog19.html Composer Kevin O'Connell argues that W. B. Yeats gave composers and musicians a particularly raw deal. On Sean O'Riada http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog18.html (4.v.11). Why did the Irish composer Sean O'Riada not achieve international stardom? Kevin O'Connell provides some insight. The future of music: a modest proposal http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog17.html (12.iv.11). Kevin O'Connell pleads for an end to self promotion amongst contemporary composers, and a return to modesty. On composers in universities http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog16.html (12.iv.11). Wondering which pathway to take as a budding composer? Kevin O'Connell offers some advice from his diverse and informed path to becoming a composer. Berg Op. 6 part II http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog15.html (9.iii.11). More reflections on the two piano arrangement of Alban Berg's Three Orchestral Pieces, Op. 6. On Scottish strings http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog14.html (14.ii.11). The West Ayrshire Education Authority has commissioned composer Kevin O'Connell to write a work for its fledgeling string orchestra and here he introduces his work "I know where I'm going, fantasia for string orchestra". On reducing Op. 6 http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog13.html (10.ii.11). The composer Kevin O'Connell describes the challenges in arranging Alban Berg's Drei Orchesterstrucke op.6 for two pianos. On Goehr's Lear http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog12.html (9.ii.11). Alexander Goehr's King Lear, Promised Land, is discussed, and Kevin O'Connell also presents his top Goehr pieces. Latest News http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/news/news01.html (23.i.11). Latest news, including Irish Times interview and review of Symphony (23.i.11). Symphonies in general http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog11.html (3.xii.10). Kevin O'Connell discusses the symphony of the twentieth century. On writing a symphony http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog10.html (31.x.10). Kevin O'Connell describes the processes through which he wrote his symphony. Kodaly's Sonata for solo cello http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog09.html (31.x.10). Kevin N O'Connell discusses the merits of Kodaly's Sonata for solo cello, following Bill Butt's performance at the RIAM. What is modern music? http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog08.html (21.x.10).What is modern music? Kevin O'Connell muses over Schonberg, Beethoven and Charles Rosen. On perfect pitch http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog07.html (24.viii.10).Composer Kevin O'Connell argues for and against perfect pitch in music and literature. American Song http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog06.html (24.viii.10). American Art Song discussed, including Samuel Barber versus Benjamin Britten, as well as performers Ned Rorem and Susan Graham. Morton Feldman at the Museum of Modern Art, Dublin http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog05.html (19.viii.10). My thoughts on Mortomania. Henze's early symphonies http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog04.html (6.vii.10). An assessment of the works of this extraordinarily prolific composer. Writing in C Major http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog03.html 24.vii.10. Reflections on this key, incorporating O'Connell's past influences and occasional flirt with tonality. Maxwell Davies http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog02.html 29 November 2009. Review and thoughts on Davies's 75th birthday celebrations. Gallery http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/images/gallery07.html 1 November 2009. Pictures of the composer in the studio of the National Concert Hall, Dublin, during recording sessions with the RTE National Symphony Orchestra in 2009. Recommended links by Kevin O'Connell http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/link/links01.html 18 October 2009. More links added, including that of Fergus Johnston, contemporary of O'Connell and fellow Aosdana member. Music Samples of Kevin O'Connell http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/free/samples01.html 25 March 2009. Some free samples of Kevin's recordings and scores for you to enjoy. Official photographs and gallery http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/images/gallery01.html 6 November 2008. Pictures of Kevin in Dublin Index for personal blog http://www.kevinnoconnell.com/blog/blog01.html 20 October 2008. Musings and an introduction by Kevin. Recommended links by Kevin O'Connell http://www.kevinnoconnell.comlink/links01.html 20 October 2008. Various useful links recommended by Kevin O'Connell.