25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Bray composer who worked with Gavin James, Lisa Hannigan and Hozier wins prestigious award
Aran O'Grady specialises in the creation of large-scale collaborative opera as well as chamber works featuring non-traditional instruments and creating reimagined versions of well-known works. The prolific London-based arranger's piece, titled Columns, which was written for solo soprano saxophone, was inspired by the columns on the façade of Russborough House in County Wicklow.
The emerging composer composition competition is an ongoing partnership presented by the West Wicklow Festival and the Contemporary Music Centre to provide opportunities for emerging composers in Ireland. In 2025 there are two competition categories – the first invited submissions for works for solo soprano saxophone, and the second is for solo viola works.
Aran, whose music has been described as 'expressive, flexible and genuinely original' (Opera Magazine), has been performed in France, Singapore, the Netherlands, Michigan (US), and across the UK and Ireland. he has also been commissioned by Sky Arts and New Music Dublin, and is also the resident composer and arranger for Glasshouse Ensemble, the music ensemble and arts organisation based in Dublin.
Aran was the recipient of the Irish Heritage Music Bursary for Composition in 2020, and was selected for Making Music UK's Adopt a Music Creator programme to develop a co-created work with the Southend Vox Chamber Choir for performance in late 2025. He is currently working on a full-length opera with the support of Arts Council Ireland, Dlr Council and Wicklow Arts.
A prolific arranger, Aran has reimagined the works of countless artists for orchestra and chamber ensembles. Including David Bowie, LCD Soundsystem, Kate Bush, Bon Iver, Joni Mitchell, Aphex Twin and most recently, Ryuichi Sakamoto.
These sets have been performed at Ireland's leading music festival and to sold out shows at many of the country's top venues including the National Concert Hall and the Pavilion Theatre. Aran has worked with some of Ireland's leading music acts including Gavin James, Lisa Hannigan, Trinity Orchestra, Rachael Lavelle, Soda Blonde, Caoi de Barra, Hozier and Glasshouse.
Columns will be premiered by Irish saxophonist Robert Finegan as part of the West Wicklow Festival Rising Stars Concert at St Mary's Church in Blessington, on May 10. Aran will also be interviewed by CMC during the concert, offering an insight into his practice and the development of the winning work.
