Cork gets a new festival this September, in part thanks to the National's Bryce Dessner.
The Brooklyn-based musician has curated Sounds from a Safe Harbour, a four-day festival of music, art and conversation, at the invitation of Cork Opera House's Mary Hickson. Collaborations among Irish and international artists will feature heavily, and include a few performances of Dessner's own compositions. (The festival takes its name from the Latin motto of Cork – Statio Bene Fida Carinis, or "a safe harbour for ships". )
Among the highlights coming to Cork from September 17th to 20th are performances from The Gloaming, together with Dessner's work with So Percussion, Music for Wood and Strings (a piece for customised dulcimers), and Wave Movements, his new collaboration with Richard Reed Parry of Arcade Fire, which is a co-commission between Cork Opera House, the Barbican, Sydney Arts Festival and Edinburgh International Festival.
Ireland's Crash Ensemble will collaborate with American folk star Sam Amidon and Icelandic composer Valgeir Sigurðsson. Dessner's brother and bandmate Aaron Dessner is partnering with Lisa Hannigan. Kjartan Sveinsson, formerly with Sigur Rós, will debut his brand new, unheard collaboration. Meanwhile Dessner says he will be "roped in" to various performances.
In this video, shot by Myles O'Reilly, Dessner discusses the festival with Cork-born musician Cillian Murphy (who has since moved on to a bit of acting). Tickets for the festival's events go on sale on Thursday, May 21st, with a limited number of festival tickets available for €175. Click here for full listings and details. The Ticket is a media patron of Sounds from a Safe Harbour.
