Living the Tradition

Join us for an evening of film and live music. “Airs” are the name for slow songs and tunes from the Irish music tradition. Behind every Irish tune is an ancient tale of love and loss, of history and heroes.

Living the Tradition is the journey of cello player and composer Ilse de Ziah around Ireland in a search for undiscovered secrets of ten Irish Airs. Along the way she meets with renowned Irish musicians, scholars and local characters who share with her the history and stories behind the music. Ilse performs each of these intensely beautiful pieces in the settings they were written. Filmmaker Maarten Roos captures the landscapes, the charm of the Irish people and the powerful resonance of the cello, creating a fresh account of Irish music and culture. The hour-long film is followed by a Q&A and Ilse in live performance. She will be joined by internationally renowned acoustic guitar virtuoso, Ian Date.

ABOUT ILSE DE ZIAH
Ilse de Ziah has a Masters in Music (1st class honours) from Cork School of Music (IRE). She is a member of the Quiet Music Ensemble, performing contemporary ‘deep listening‘ music in Europe and America, runs an international Cello Club, publishes her compositions and arrangements in the Play Cello Music Store, and holds annual Irish Cello Retreats. She is also co-artistic director of the Midleton Arts Festival, County Cork. Ilse performs in the USA and Europe and is now adding Australia to her international touring programme.

ABOUT IAN DATE
Ian Date is regarded as one of Australia’s finest guitarists. He has appeared on more than 70 albums as a sideman or a leader. His collaborations have included the cream of Australian jazz musicians and has recorded and performed with guitarists such as Hank Marvin, Tommy Emmanuel and Martin Taylor.