Bittersweet Symphony Podcast

12/11/2024

The first episode in the latest season of The Hugh Lane Concert Series is out today on Spotify.
Have a listen to this beautiful concert and conversation with Aoife Ni Bhrian, Mick O'Brien, and Paul Roe.
We talked about collaboration, finding one's voice, courage, and the experience of performing with family.
Thanks to Aoife, Mick, and Paul for sharing so generously.
Thanks to the team at Near FM; Dorothy Meyer Holtcamp, Gabor Zaijon, and Paul Loughran.
Thanks to the Hugh Lane and Mary Barnecutt for having us.
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barnecutt

12/11/2024

Released today, the first episode in the latest season of The Hugh Lane Concert Series.
Have a listen to this beautiful concert and conversation with Aoife Ni Bhrian, Mick O'Brien, and Paul Roe.
We talked about collaboration, finding one's voice, courage, and experience of performing with family.
Thanks to Aoife, Mick and Paul for sharing so generously.
Thanks to the team at Near FM; Dorothy Meyer Holtcamp, Gabor Zaijon and Paul Loughran.
Thanks to the Hugh Lane and Mary Barnecutt for having us.
g_roe
3
barnecutt eye

05/10/2024

This month's edition of. is on the streets.
Turn to my classical column to explore a little of what's going on in the city.
From operas new and old to a Philip Glass Ensemble residency, as well as one of the greatest pianists of all time performing The Art Of Fugue, it's an incredible month of music making.
Pick up the magazine and have a goo, why don't you!
Cx

02/09/2024

The September issue of is on the streets.
It's an amazing month for music lovers, with season openers, world premieres and international superstars enticing us to get out out there.
Check out my column for some personal highlights.
.harpist

06/08/2024

06/08/2024

The incredible empathetic eye of Andre Grilic, catching a moment warming up before a concert.
His beautiful photos of the are on their instagram page.
Check out all of his incredible work on his own personal photography page
Cx

05/08/2024

It's been one week since I left Townley Hall and Boyne Valley Music Fesitval.
It was like a wonderful dream, with amazing musicians taking part, an incredible team of people making it all happen, and the superhero trio of Deirdre Brenner, Julie-Anne Manning and Aisling Manning putting it all together with such love and warmth.
Thank you for having me, to my amazing colleagues for the music making, and to the warm and appreciative audiences for the support.

📷 2-5 Andre Grilic

10/06/2024

Check out my column in this months edition of for a snapshot of some of the incredible classical concerts happening in the coming weeks, from the epic to the intimate, in venues across the city.
Check out what's on offer and dig deep into the magazine while you're at it.
There's so much amazing live music happening every night of the week in Dublin, so I hope you enjoy getting out out there!
Cx










violin

06/06/2024

Thanks to Ciara Higgins, artistic director of for chatting to me about the festival whixh kicked off yesterday and runs till Sunday.
Our conversation is in this months edition of , so pick it up around town and have a read.
Be sure to check out the festivals socials and website, as there are four more days of incredible concerts across the city.

22/11/2023

Issue 18 of is out, so pick it up in places around the city.
Turn to my classical column for everything from Handel's Messiah with and ,
and the Rite Of Spring with .conductor and ,
to a collaboration between and at the ,
one of the world's greatest cellists at ,
and presenting a happening at .
There's lots more too, so have a read, book a ticket and enjoy! Cx

23/10/2023

From a single cellist performing Unaccompanied Bach in an elegant Georgian ballroom to the riotous yet taut passion of Piazzolla in a Portabello basement, there's so much thrilling music-making happening in our city this month.
Pick up the latest edition of around town, and check out my column for all things classical, from early music to experimental. Make a promise to yourself to hear and feel live music this month!
Cx

04/09/2023

Thanks to Deborah Kelleher, Director of , for taking the time to chat with me for this months edition of about the incredible new hall at the Royal Irish Academy of Music on Westland Row.
This city has badly needed a chamber music hall of this quality and capacity, and finally, it's here, thanks to the RIAM, to Stephen Whyte and to Deborah's vision.
The Whyte Hall is officially launching with the Festival, bringing the world's greatest chamber musicians to this exquisite venue.
Pick up around town in cafes, bars and venues.

30/06/2023

I loved chatting with Deirdre O Leary and Alex Petcu Colan after their Hugh Lane concert a few weeks ago.
We talked about their creative process, how they work together, who makes the tea and nettle soup, and about surviving cancer.
Composer and guitariat Barry O Halpin joined us for the chat. He shared insights into the work he created for them, into letting it go, and how it feels to wear two hats at the same in his life, as performer and composer.
Listen to the chat and the concert on Spotify. Search for The Hugh Lane Concert Series.
Thanks to l, and for their incresible work and for sharing themselves with us.
Thanks to the for letting us be there and for a fanstaic concert series.
Thanks to star producer Paul Loughran and to .
Cx

19/07/2022

Working from home in 2020 for Emma and Paul looked a lot like this.
Ep.16 of Bittersweet Symphony, the last in the series, is available on all podcast platforms.
If you like it, share it.
Thanks!
Cx

16/07/2022

Flautist Emma Roche shares her thoughts on our lives as freelance musicians on Ep.16 of Bittersweet Symphony.
It's available on all podcast platforms, so listen, like and share!

14/07/2022

One of flautist Emma Roche's sweet memories was bringing her newborn son home to Cork to meet her family. It had been a long awaited moment, as she gave birth during the first wave of Covid, when so much was unknown and most travel was forbidden.
Finally, her mum Mary got to meet her first grandchild.
This is a poem she wrote for him which she kindly recorded for me.
Thanks so much Mary.
Ep.16 of Bittersweet Symphony is available on all podcast platforms.
Cx

Poem for Baby Charlie

If I could, I would freeze time
so that I might stroke your silky hair,
cup your little head,
marvel at your tiny fingernails,
hold you close,
inhale your unique new baby smell,
murmur sweet Granny nothings,
wonder at your perfection
but meanwhile,
I will love you from afar
with all my heart
and be grateful that you're healthy and secure
in your parents arms.

13/07/2022

Emma's sweet experience was the incredible community spirit in her Glasgow neighbourhood of Battlefield during the first few months of her newborn son Charlie's life, of lockdown and of the pandemic.
Walks around the park were peppered with chats and hellos, as people connected with each other.
Her WhatsApp Mums group met regularly in the park too, finding great solace in their support for each other.
Ep.16 of Bittersweet Symphony is on all podcast platforms.
Listen, like and share!
Cx

12/07/2022

The final episode in this series of Bittersweet Symphony is live!
My guest in the episode is Emma Roche, a Glasgow-based freelance flautist, who is a regular in the Irish Chamber Orchestra. This means I’m lucky enough to call her a dear colleague.
She shares her bitter experience of being terrified and alone in the hospital with her newborn son Charlie.
Her sweet memories are of the community spirit and support she found in her neighbourhood in Glasgow, and of bringing Charlie back to Cork to meet her Mum for the first time.
Her bittersweet is the first day back at work. She felt a rush of excitement as she heard the oboe give an A. The glorious sound of the orchestra tuning up gave her that thrill we all know so well. This was followed by the nightmare of trying to make music together while so far apart.
We recorded this conversation in September 2021.
Ep.16 of Bittersweet Symphony is available on all podcast platforms.
Thank you so much for listening, liking and sharing!
Irish Chamber Orchestra Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra Emma Roche