Commissioned by Owen J Conlan
First performance by the Australian String Quartet, William Mabo (didgeridoo), Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Townsville Civic Theatre, Townsville, Queenland, 28 July 2025
Program note
The title (pronounced ‘Mock-niv’) is an Irish word meaning ‘meditation’ or ‘rumination’, the subject of which, in this case, is Seán Ó Riada’s famous tune ‘Mná na hÉireann’ (‘Women of Ireland’). Machnamh was commissioned by Owen J Conlan in memory of his mother, Eva Gladys Conlan. He specifically asked for a piece that would demonstrate the diasporic journey of Ó Riada’s melody and of Irish culture in general. ‘It should be an Australian piece,’ Owen told me.
A.F.
Below, Owen talking about the piece.