THE LATE Irish composer Aloys Fleischmann's contribution to traditional music in Ireland was celebrated yesterday at a music and poetry event organised by Cork City Council and University College Cork (UCC) at the Glucksman Art Gallery in the city.
Last January, President Mary McAleese opened the celebrations organised by Cork City Council to mark the centenary of the birth of Fleischmann (1910-1992). He was an Irish composer, conductor, scholar, campaigner, organiser, professor of music at University College and Freeman of the City of Cork.
Events commemorating him take place in the Glucksman Gallery at UCC every Sunday afternoon this month. The gallery has housed the exhibition From the Sources, which features filmed performances by 94 traditional musicians of the first 836 dance tunes and songs contained in Fleischmann's monumental work Sources of Irish Traditional Music.
Perspectives: Into Soundopened yesterday with a special poetic response to From the Sources. The event featured well-known Irish poets and authors including Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, Gabriel Rosenstock and Liam Ó Muirthile.
Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Michael O'Connell welcomed the event. "This year has seen a local, national and international recognition and celebration of Prof Fleischmann. This collaborative programme is a testament to the lasting impact of his work on a range of artists.'
Mel Mercier from the school of music at UCC said he believed Fleischmann would endorse this kind of cross-arts activity and the creation of art works inspired by his musical legacy.
Contributors over the coming Sundays include Danish composer and musician Palle Mikkelborg, and singer and composer Iarla Ó Lionáird. On the final Sunday, October 24th, under Mr Mercier, The Sources musicians will perform a revival of Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin's composition, EGLEGO.