Boireann: Music for Flute and Piano Emma Coulthard, Emma Halnan, David Appleton

• John Buckley (b. 1951): Five Etudes:
• 1Buckley: Five Etudes: I. Perpetuum Mobile02:13
• 2Buckley: Five Etudes: II. Ebbing and Flowing04:32
• 3Buckley: Five Etudes: III. Canon02:27
• 4Buckley: Five Etudes: IV. Duetto Notturno03:53
• 5Buckley: Five Etudes: V. Streetcar02:15
• In Memoriam Doris Keogh:
• 6Buckley: In Memoriam Doris Keogh: I. Seascapes03:34
• 7Buckley: In Memoriam Doris Keogh: II. Nocturne06:02
• 8Buckley: In Memoriam Doris Keogh: III. Dance03:25
• Two Fantasias for Alto Flute:
• 9Buckley: Two Fantasias for Alto Flute: I. Fantasia No. 102:54
• 10Buckley: Two Fantasias for Alto Flute: II. Fantasia No. 204:36
• Airflow:
• 11Buckley: Airflow05:03
• Three Études for Piano:
• 12Buckley: Three Études for Piano: I. Nine Variations02:27
• 13Buckley: Three Études for Piano: II. Through The Empty Vaulted Night04:57
• 14Buckley: Three Études for Piano: III. Stars and Dreams04:07
• Three Pieces for Solo Flute:
• 15Buckley: Three Pieces for Solo Flute: I. No. 103:38
• 16Buckley: Three Pieces for Solo Flute: II. No. 202:49
• 17Buckley: Three Pieces for Solo Flute: III. No. 302:59
• Sea Echoes (for glissando flute):
• 18Buckley: Sea Echoes (for glissando flute)03:34
• Boireann (for flute and piano):
• 19Buckley: Boireann (for flute and piano)10:44
• Total Runtime01:16:09

Info for Boireann: Music for Flute and Piano

Boireann features two compositions specifically crafted for this release. “Five Études for Two Flutes” reimagines earlier pieces for two violins, demonstrating Buckley’s ability to transpose musical ideas across different instrumental settings. “In Memoriam Doris Keogh,” a three-movement piece for flute and piano, reflects the broad musical interests of Buckley’s flute teacher, Doris Keogh, offering a touching tribute to her influence.

John Buckley’s illustrious career as a composer has earned him recognition worldwide. This new album is a testament to his deep connection with the flute, spanning over fifty years. From his early studies with the legendary Doris Keogh at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin to his most recent work, “In Memoriam Doris Keogh,” completed in 2022, the album captures the evolution of Buckley’s flute-centric repertoire. This collection superbly showcases his versatility as a composer.

The collaboration with talented flautists Emma Coulthard, Emma Halnan, and pianist David Appleton adds an extra layer of brilliance to the album, making it a captivating and enriching musical experience.

Emma Coulthard, flute
Emma Halnan, flute
David Appleton, piano

Emma Coulthard
studied Flute and Recorder at the Royal Irish Academy of Music with Doris Keogh, and Musicology at Trinity College Dublin.. Emma took a keen interest in contemporary music from early in her career, collaborating with Irish Composers including John Buckley, Martin O’Leary and Paul Hayes in the early 1990s. Emma was the soloist for Paul Hayes’s Prix Italia piece ‘Mass Production” and as a singer worked with Michael Holohan on settings of Seamus Heaney poems . In 2018, whilst living in Wales Emma returned to her work with Irish Composers, commissioning and premiering several new works from Fergus Johnston, Paul Hayes, John McLachlan , Granne Mulvey, Jenn Kirby and Anna Murray which led to performances in Tokyo, Sofia, Cardiff, Dublin and Maynooth. In 2022 she was been part of Benjamin Dwyer’s SacrumProfanum project , which has been released on Farpoint, and the ‘Connected Skies’ project with Angela Slater funded by ACE. She has been broadcast on BBC and RTE radio and television, and has been published by Music Sales and Trinity.

Emma Halnan
first came to prominence as woodwind category winner of BBC Young Musician 2010. She has since appeared at major venues worldwide, and has performed concertos with orchestras such as the London Mozart Players and the European Union Chamber Orchestra. Other competition successes include the Sussex Prize for Woodwind in the Royal Overseas League Competition 2019 and first prize in the Sir Karl Jenkins/Arts Club Award 2016. Emma was been selected as a “Making Music” Young Artist 2018-20, and is a City Music Foundation Artist.

Emma was principal flute of the European Union Youth Orchestra 2014-16. She has also freelanced with orchestras including the London Mozart Players, RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, English National Opera and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.

Emma is a highly reputed and very dedicated teacher. She teaches privately, for the University of Cambridge, and at Trinity Laban Conservatoire. Her pupils have gained places in national ensembles and at various conservatoires (both junior and senior departments).

Emma studied at the Royal Academy of Music with William Bennett and Kate Hill, and afterwards with Robert Winn. She previously studied at the Purcell School with Anna Pope.

David Appleton
David’s most notable body of performance experience has been with the six piano ensemble Piano Circus, with whom he was a co-director between 1994 and 2014. As well as extensive touring in Europe, South East Asia and the USA and South America with the group, notable recordings include the album Transmission (Observer CD of the week in 2001) ,Future Sound of London with Max Richter and Skin & Wire with the legendary drummer Bill Bruford (2009.) Collaborations also include Pete Townsend: The Lighthouse at Sadlers Wells, Michael Clark: Oh My Goddess, also at Sadlers Wells and touring, plus combing abseiling with pianistic endeavour with aerial theatre company Scarabeus. Work with piano duo partner Kate Ryder (1998-2008) included Three Little Scandals film and live music at The Barbican and critically acclaimed performances of Stockhausen: Mantra.

Booklet for Boireann: Music for Flute and Piano