Guilfoyle, Ronan

Guilfoyle, Ronan, Irish composer; b. Dublin, March 5, 1958. He began his studies in music in jazz, receiving training in bass and improvisation with Dave Holland in Banff, Canada. His performances as a jazz musician took him throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. He also taught improvisation for the International Council of UNESCO and was director of the jazz dept. of Newpark Music Centre in Dublin. In 1990 he began composing classical music, including scores often requiring performers to improvise.

Works

Sequence of Events for Bassoon, Trumpet, Trombone, Tenor Saxophone, and Drums (1990); Concerto for Jazz Guitar Trio and Orch. (1993; Dublin, Feb. 24, 1994); Violin Sonata (1994); Concerto for Orchestra (1995); Devsirme for instrumental Ensemble or Jazz Quintet (1995); Dice for Soprano and Tenor Saxophones, Trombone, Bass Guitar, and Drums (1996); A.K.A. for Soprano Saxophone, Bass Guitar, and Drums (1996); Obsessive for Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Trombone, Bass Guitar, and Drums (1996); T’Cha for Soprano and Tenor Saxophones, Trombone, Bass Guitar, and Drums (1996); Transchumance for Soprano and Tenor Saxophones, Trombone, Bass Guitar, and Drums (1996); Music for Clarinet and String Trio (1996); Phantom City for Soprano Saxophone, Accordion, Bass Guitar, and Drums (1997); Toccata and Feud for Piano (1998); Music for Soprano Saxophone and String Quartet (1998); D/C for Soprano Saxophone and English Horn.

—Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire