Compositions

5 Guitar Pieces

(Guitar, {with optional guitar accompaniment}, 2022/23). 

World Premiere: YouTube. Date: December 2022 - June 2023. Performers: Ciarán Farrell Movements: Five. Further Information: In this YouTube series, 'Guitar by the Fire', five newly composed instrumental pieces featuring two guitars were premiered over the course of seven months. The pieces are broadly inspired by bluegrass, blues, and country styles of music.  

Appalachia

(Flute, clarinet, and bassoon, 2022).

I Moderato
II Adagio
III Allegro

World Premiere: Appalachian Chamber Music Festival, West Virginia, USA. Date: 25th, August, 2022. Movements: Three Further Information: The world première of Ciarán Farrell's, 'Appalachia', will take place on Thursday the 25^th of August, 2022, as part of the Appalachian Chamber Music Festival, West Virginia, USA. The festival ran from August the 15^th to the 28^th, and was spread across a number of towns/venues in the Harpers Ferry region of West Virginia. Concerts took place in Harpers Ferry, Charles Town, Shepherdstown, Hillsboro, Purcellville, Berryville, and Middleburg.

'Appalachia', received it's première at the Middleburg event, with a subsequent performance on Saturday the 27^th at the Shepherdstown event. The work comprises of three movements, and is scored for a trio made up of flute, clarinet, and bassoon, (though on this particular occasion the bassoon part was performed on double bass). 

Bravissimo!

(Guitar, and mandolin, 2022). 

World Premiere: Ochum, Germany. Date: 20th, March, 2022. Performers: Duo Ahlert & Schwab Movements: One. Further Information: 'Bravissimo!', forms part of a new programme by Duo Ahlert & Schwab, 'Caprichos de Goya', where a host of international composers have produced works for the virtuoso duo in response to etchings from the satirical masterpiece collection by Spanish painter Francisco de Goya, 'Los Caprichos'.

Opium Jazz - Willow

(Soprano/alto saxophones, flute, Fender Rhodes piano, guitars, bass, drums, and percussion, 2020).

I Diving for Pearls
II Jiggery Pokery
III Willow
IV Village People
V Surrender

Performers: Michael Buckley, (saxohphones), Sinéad Farrell, (flute), Izumi Kimura, (Fender Rhodes piano), Ciarán Farrell,(guitars), Conor Guilfoyle, (drums and percussion). Movements: Five. Further Information: Opium Jazz, is a new music project by Ciarán Farrell. The first EP to be released under this project title was called, 'Stealing Beauty', and was released in 2018. This second installment is a sister EP to the first, and completes the first set of recordings to be released for this project. It features some of Ireland's top musicians, and crosses the divides of both classical, and jazz/blues genres. It includes performances by saxophonist Michael Buckley, flautist Sinéad Farrell, pianist Izumi Kimura, and drummer/percussionist Conor Guilfoyle. Farrell composed, and produced the music. He also performed the guitar, and bass parts on all of the tracks.

Opium Jazz - Stealing Beauty

(Soprano/alto saxophones, flute, Fender Rhodes piano, guitars, bass, drums, and percussion, 2018).

I Stealing Beauty
II Night Owl
III OJ
IV Winter Blue
V Heat Wave

Performers: Michael Buckley, (saxohphones), Sinéad Farrell, (flute), Izumi Kimura, (Fender Rhodes piano), Ciarán Farrell,(guitars), Conor Guilfoyle, (drums and percussion). Movements: Five. Further Information: Opium Jazz, is a new music project by Ciarán Farrell. The first EP released under this title, 'Stealing Beauty', features some of Ireland's top musicians, and crosses the divides of both classical, and jazz/blues genres.

Three Piece Suite

(Guitar and Flute, 2014), (Guitar and Violin, 2014).

I Autumn Gold
II Hinterland
III One Night

World Premiere: Sandford Church, Dublin. Date: 5th, June, 2015. Performers: Damien Kelly (guitar) and Jessica Lipstone (flute). Movements: Three. Further Information: A new multi-movement work for either guitar and flute, or guitar and violin.

The Howth Collection 

 (Traditional Irish Instruments, 2012).

Further Information:  'The Howth Collection' is a set of fifty traditional Irish tunes inspired by the environs of Howth peninsula. Howth lies just north of Dublin city, (forming the northern portion of Dublin Bay), and many artists, including William Butler Yeats, James Joyce and Sir William Orpen have drawn inspiration from the locale for their own work. A single trip to this vibrant and enchanted place will make it immediately apparent why. Howth boasts some of the most stunningly beautiful scenery in the country. It is rich in wildlife, history and tradition, including a lively trad music scene that has been ongoing in Howth village for decades. This original collection of tunes comprises of jigs, reels, marches, polkas and airs. 'The Howth Collection' is available for free from the Irish Traditional Music Archive, (please note - for copyright reasons you must e-mail the archive directly to request a copy).

New Frontiers 

(Solo Guitar with Bottleneck Slide, 2012).

I A Rainy Day in Summer
II Dragonfly
III Skeleton Man

Performer: Damien Kelly. Movements: Three. Further Information:  This new multi-movement work for classical guitar utilizes bottleneck slide and takes a stylistic sidestep from it's traditional use in blues music. The unusually smooth sound generated using the slide with a nylon string guitar coupled with the placement of the slide on the middle finger, (as opposed to the traditional pinky which is now free for wider stretches), make these pieces an altogether new playing and listening experience. Ciarán and guitarist Damien Kelly have already begun preparations and rehearsals for their second release under the collaborative title, 'Farrell Kelly' and recording dates have been set for August. The new album will include all of Ciarán's most recent guitar music. A release date is planned for late Autumn. New Frontiers was written with support from the Arts Council of Ireland.

Songs for Guitar

(Solo Guitar, 2011).

I Jolt
II Rhapsody
III Wild Stream

World Premiere: YouTube. Date: 14th, December, 2011. Performer: Damien Kelly. Movements: Three. Further Information:  Early in 2011 Ciarán teamed up with Irish guitar virtuoso Damien Kelly to form the collaboration Farrell Kelly. Damien Kelly is one of Ireland's foremost guitarists and had performed Farrell's 'The Shannon Suite' quite extensively for a number of years before they decided to get together and collaborate on a number of recording projects. They have just released their first EP, 'Jolt', on their own label and a full album is due to follow later in 2012. The EP includes all three pieces from 'Songs for Guitar' and one of the pieces from 'Travel Pieces', (see below), entitled 'Air Travel'. 

Travel Pieces

(Solo Guitar with Digital Delay, 2011).

I  Air Travel
II Sea Travel
III Land Travel
IV Space Travel
V Time Travel

Performer: Damien Kelly. Movements: Five. Further Information:  For a long time Ciarán had wanted to write some music for classical guitar and digital delay. Firstly there's been very little written for this combination and secondly Ciarán had a concept that he'd wanted to fulfill for some time and that was to write a set of pieces around the idea of travel. One of the pieces 'Air travel' was released on the #1 charting Farrell Kelly EP 'Jolt' and serves as a taster for what is to come later in 2012 when Ciarán and Damien Kelly will release a full album. The work was completed with support from the Arts Council of Ireland.  

Proverbs for Symphony Orchestra

(Orchestra, 2010).

I Proverbs 25-11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
II Proverbs 22-06 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
III Proverbs 16-25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
IV Proverbs 25-28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
V Proverbs 11-25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

World Premiere: TBC. Date: TBC. Performer: RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland. Movements: Five. Further Information: Based on the original, solo piano version. Funded by The Arts Council of Ireland.

Roots

(Guitar and Orchestra, 2010).

I March Hare
II Roots
III Aquarius Moon
IV Wild Horses

World Premiere: The BBC Big Concert, BBC Radio 3 (live), Ulster Hall, Belfast.Date:13th, June, 2010.Performers: Craig Ogden with the Ulster Orchestra conducted by David Porcelijn. Movements: Four. (There is also an extended version of this work which contains an extra movement). Further Information: BBC Radio 3 cleared its schedules for more than ten hours of live music-making from the BBC's performing groups across the UK . More than 400 BBC musicians played live from six cities, performing a huge range of music spanning more than 400 years of history. 'Roots' was commissioned by BBC Radio 3 with additional funds from the Arts Council of Ireland.

Spirit of the Sea

(Orchestra, 2009).

World Premiere: National Concert Hall, Dublin. Date: September 2009. Performer: RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by David Brophy. Movements: One. Further Information: Commissioned by RTÉ Performing Groups for the RTÉ Summer Lunchtime Concert Series.

Proverbs

(Piano, 2008).

I Proverbs 25-11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
II Proverbs 22-06 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
III Proverbs 16-25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death
IV Proverbs 25-28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
V Proverbs 11-25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

World Premiere: Radio Latvia 3. Date: December 2008. Performer: Darina Gibson. Movements: Five. Further Information: These pieces were commissioned by Washington DC based philanthropist Tom Ayers to accompany paintings also commissioned in response to a number of biblical proverbs. Tom commissioned twenty paintings in all and has commissioned other international composers to set a number of the remaining proverbs/paintings to music. This suite is also being developed for full symphony orchestra.

Meditations

(Choir and Soprano Sax, 2007).

I The Six Syllable Mantra of Vajrasattva and the Hundred Syllable Mantra of Vajrasattva.
II Sonam Di Yi and Phowa.

World Premiere: Northern Ireland Opera Fringe Festival, Downpatrick. Date: May, 2007. Performers: Codetta (Choir) conducted by Donal Doherty, Gerard McChrystal (Saxophone). Movements: Two. Further Information: Commissioned by Codetta and Gerard McChrystal for the NI Opera Fringe festival. The piece was recorded and broadcast by BBC Radio 3. It has received a number of performances since it's premiere in 2007.

Around and About

(Flute, Guitar 2000 rev. 2007), (Flute, Vibraphone, 2006), (Flute, Piano 2006), (Soprano Sax, Piano 2006).

I The Garden
II The Lake
III The Woods

World Premiere: St.Michan’s Church/RTÉ lyric fm radio feile. Date: June, 2000. Performers: John Feeley (Guitar) and William Dowdall (Flute). Movements: Three. Further Information: Originally composed for the Feeley/Dowdall Duo for the RTÉ lyric fm radio féile this piece has since been arranged for a number of different combinations, most notably for Flute and Vibraphone. The flute/vibraphone version was recorded for the RTÉ lyric fm release, ‘Perfect State’, by Ciaráns' sister Sinéad Farrell (flute), and Roger Moffat, (vibraphone). 

The Shannon Suite

(Guitar, 1995 rev. 2006), (Guitar, Soprano Sax, 2006).

I Lough Allen
II Lough Ree
III Lough Derg

World Premiere: National Concert Hall, (John Field Room), Dublin. Date: September, 1996. Performer: John Feeley (Guitar). Movements: Three. Further Information: This piece was written for classical guitarist John Feeley, and was recorded for his CD of Irish Contemporary Music, ‘E-Motion’. It was composed during the college summer break of 1995, at a time when Ciarán was transitioning from the DIT College of Music to Trinity College Dublin. The original solo guitar version is published by US based publisher Mel Bay. It has also been arranged for Soprano Sax and Guitar by Derry born saxophonist Gerard McChrystal. This new version has been recorded by Gerard and Australian born guitarist Craig Ogden for their own release ‘Pluck Blow’ and is also available on the RTÉ lyric fm release ‘Perfect State’. 'The Shannon Suite' has been performed extensively, and is regularly broadcast both at home, and abroad. The Sax/Guitar version is published by Australian based publisher Reed Music and the solo guitar version is published by MelBay Inc. in the USA. More info.

The Pilgrim's Return

(Soprano Sax, String Quartet, 2005), (Flute, String Quartet, 2005), (Oboe, String Quartet, 2005), (Clarinet, String Quartet, 2005).

I Homeward Bound
II Journey’s End
III Hero’s Welcome

World Premiere: Wigmore Hall, London. Date: September, 2007. Performers: Gerard McChrystal, (Saxophone) The Smith Quartet (String Quratet). Movements: Three. Further Information: This piece was commissioned by Gerard McChrystal and the Smith Quartet. It was recorded for the RTÉ lyric fm CD, ‘Perfect State’. It has been performed extensively and is regularly broadcast both here and abroad. Ciarán completed this work with support from the Arts Council of Ireland.

Perfect State

(String Orchestra, 2005), (Violin and Cello, 1998).

I Intro
II Perfect State

World Premiere: Project Arts Centre Date: October, 1998. Performers: The Degani Ensemble with Alan Smale (Violin) and David James (Cello). Movements: Two. Further Information: This piece was commissioned by Irish Modern Dance Theatre and was later developed for string orchestra. It has been performed many times in it’s original form and the later version for string orchestra was recorded for the RTÉ lyric fm CD, ‘Perfect State’ by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by David Brophy. This version is regularly broadcast in Ireland and abroad.

Hopkins on Skellig Michael

(Orchestra and Voice, 2004).

I Landing
II Steps, Saddle and Final Flight
III Enclosure
IV Source
V Storm
VI Empires
VII Leaving
VIII Finale

World Premiere: RTÉ lyric fm Date: December 2008 Performers: Barry McGovern (Voice), with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by David Brophy. Text: Paddy Bushe. Movements: Eight. Further Information: This piece was commissioned by RTÉ lyric fm for their Christmas Special and was broadcast on Christmas Day in 2004. It was also re-recorded for the RTÉ lyric fm CD, ‘Perfect State’ and is regularly broadcast in Ireland and abroad.

Waves and Caves

(Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Vibraphone, 2002).

World Premiere: Hugh Lane Gallery Date: May 2002 Performers: Concorde. Movements: One. Further Information: This piece was commissioned by Concorde.

Shine

(Solo Mezzo-soprano, Choir {Alto, Tenor Bass}, Tin Whistle, Flute [wood], Percussion, Harp, Guitar, Strings, 1997).

World Premiere: Unknown. Date: 1997. Performers: Katie McMahon and selected session players. Movements: One. Further Information: Katie recorded this song for her CD of the same title. It has been part of her concert programs for over a decade and it receives regular broadcasts in the US where she is presently based.

Lament

(Tin Whistle, Low Whistle, Flute, Harp, Bodhran, Strings, 1995).

World Premiere: RHA Gallagher Gallery. Date: 1995. Performers: Selected session players. Movements: One. Further Information: This piece was commissioned by Irish Modern Dance Theatre for their dance show entitled ‘Macalla’ which ran at the RHA for a number of nights. The whole gallery was used and each room had a different piece of music associated with it and a uniquely choreographed dance routine.

The Salmon

(Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Percussion, Strings, 1995).

World Premiere: RHA Gallagher Gallery Date: 1995 Movements: Two. Performers: Selected session players. Further Information:  This piece was commissioned by Irish Modern Dance Theatre for their dance show entitled ‘Macalla’ which ran at the RHA for a number of nights. The whole gallery was used and each room had a different piece of music associated with it and a uniquely choreographed dance routine.

Macalla

(Choir, Flute [wood], Tin Whistle, Low Whistle, Bodhran, Harp, Strings, 1995).

World Premiere: RHA Gallagher Gallery Date: 1995 Performers: Selected session players. Movements: One. Further Information:  This piece was commissioned by Irish Modern Dance Theatre for their dance show entitled ‘Macalla’ which ran at the RHA for a number of nights. The whole gallery was used and each room had a different piece of music associated with it and a uniquely choreographed dance routine.

A World of Colour

(Choir, 1995).

World Premiere: Trinity College Chapel Date: 1995 Performers: DIT College of Music Chamber Choir conducted by Ite O'Donovan. Movements: Five. Further Information: Irish choir Cantique also gave performances of this work.

Works for TV (1994 – 1998).

Shell - Challenge I - TV ad

(Soprano, Uileann Pipes, Percussion, Strings, 1998).

World Premiere: RTÉ 1/C4/ITV Date: 1998 Client: Bell Advertising.

Shell - Challenge II - TV ad

(Orchestra, 1998)

World Premiere: RTÉ 1/C4/ITV Date: 1998 Client: Bell Advertising.

Heineken - Leaky Biros - TV ad

(Flute, 3 Tenor Saxophones, Baritone Sax, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Percussion, Electric Piano, 1997).

World Premiere: RTÉ 1/C4/ITV Date: 1997 Client: DDFH&B.

Heineken - Fresh Avocados - TV ad

(Flute, 3 Tenor Saxophones, Baritone Sax, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Percussion, Electric Piano, 1997).

World Premiere: RTÉ 1/C4/ITV Date: 1997 Client: DDFH&B.

Andrews – Ant-on-acid - TV ad

(2 guitars, Bass Guitar, Percussion, Electric Piano, 1997).

World Premiere: RTÉ 1/C4/ITV Date: 1997 Client: Wilson Hartnell.

Christmas Music - TV inserts

(Flute, Percussion, Strings, 1996).

World Premiere: RTÉ 1 Date: 1996 Client: RTÉ 1.

Eyes on the World - TV series

(Flute [wood], Percussion, Strings, 1996).

Date: 1996 Client: Café Productions.

Divine Magic - TV series

(Mixed Ensembles, 1995).

World Premiere: C4 Date: 1995 Client: C4, RTÉ, SKY, Café Productions, Littlebird, Non-fiction Films.

Undercurrent – Film

(2 Flutes, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano, Percussion, Strings, 1994).

World Premiere: RTÉ 1 Date: 1994 Client: Decent Suit Productions.

Un Milione - Short film

(Flute, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano, Percussion, Strings, 1994).

World Premiere: RTÉ 1 Date: 1994 Client: Decent Suit Productions.

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