Donnacha Dennehy

Donnacha Dennehy (b.1970) studied composition at Trinity College Dublin and at the University of Illinois, USA, followed by further study at the Hague and IRCAM. On returning to Dublin in 1997 he founded the Crash Ensemble, the now-renowned amplified new music band: among the works premiered in Crash's first concert was Junk Box Fraud, specially written for the group – and since recorded on NMC D133 – and marking a significant shift in his compositional style. In addition to being artistic director of Crash, Donnacha teaches music technology and composition at Trinity College Dublin.

Noted performers of his work include Bang On A Can All-Stars, Crash Ensemble, London Sinfonietta, Joanna MacGregor, RTE National Symphony Orchestra, and Orkest de Volharding; he has also collaborated with dance and video artists, including choreographers Yoshiko Chuma and Shobana Jeyasingh. Donnacha’s work has been featured in festivals such as ISCM World Music Days, Bang On A Can in New York, WNYC’s New Sounds Live, Fuse Leeds and the Gaudeamus Festival in Amsterdam; recent premieres have included Stainless Staining for pianist Lisa Moore, and Grá Agus Bás for the Crash Ensemble with sean nós singer Iarla O’Lionáird.

Future plans include a Crane Ballet in collaboration with Shobana Jeyasingh, and an opera, Gas, with writer Simon Doyle and director Selina Cartmell. Donnacha's first full-length album, Elastic Harmonic, was released on NMC in 2007.