A Symphonic Life
John Kinsella is one of Ireland’s most distinguished composers and the country’s most prolific symphonist. In a creative career spanning over six decades, Kinsella has produced an incredible eleven symphonies, numerous concertos, quartets and instrumental chamber, vocal and choral works. In November 2019, his eleventh symphony had its world premiere at the National Concert Hall and John received the NCH Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his singular contribution to Irish art music. For John, the experience of a symphony is ‘a big adventure starting. I’ve never lost that excitement.’
In conversation with John Kinsella and with contributions from other composers and musicologists, this documentary A Symphonic Life is an intimate portrait of a composer through an exploration of his process, the evolution of his compositions and his commitment to the art form. On the eve of Finland’s Independence Day the programme also explores Kinsella’s deep debt to Finland’s pre-eminent composer Jean Sibelius.
Presenter: Mary Brophy.
Producer: Neal Boyle
(First Tx. November 24th 2019)
RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 5th December, 6pm-7pm