Скачать или смотреть SKIPS AND SWIRLS: A WONDERFUL BARN (2025) Jane O'Leary

The trio was commissioned for the series ‘Songs about Buildings and Moods’, directed by Seth Boustead for PBS, and recorded by members of Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble in June 2025. The music is a reflection on the architectural shape and history of the building in Kildare known as ‘the wonderful barn’. It was built in 1743, but its origins are mysterious. A hollow
cone, with circular steps surrounding the building, it may have been used as a grain store, or it may have no purpose at all. The music gradually rises from the lowest tones of the cello and bass clarinet to the highest tones of the clarinet with violin and cello harmonics. There is a suggestion of grain with the sounds of the rainstick, and the final moments draw attention to the open sky above the building. The shape of the music features lightly skipping steps - leaping upward, occasionally falling back again - along with swirling fragments of music focussing around a single pitch.

Performed by Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble in SARC, QUB, Belfast at their 'Ink Still Wet IX' concert in November 2025

Violin: Ioana Petcu Colan
Cello: David McCann
Clarinet/Bass Clarinet/Rainstick: Sarah Watts

For more information visit www.hardrainensemble.com