In an exciting new project that blends public art and music to illuminate the natural environment, the National Concert Hall, together with the OPW and with the support of IPUT Real Estate, have engaged Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Ellen Reid to create a ‘SOUNDWALK’ in St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2.
‘Ellen Reid SOUNDWALK’ is an immersive audio experience, accessed via a GPS-enabled app, that when downloaded, takes users of the iconic and historic St. Stephen’s Green in Dublin 2 on a sonic adventure offering differing soundscapes while bringing music to the public in a new and innovative way.
The site-specific installation is curated especially for visitors of St. Stephen’s Green, reflecting the cherished environs through sound, turning a stroll into a musical exploration and experience. It is entirely user-guided: the path you choose dictates the music you hear, and no two visits will be exactly the same.
It draws on music composed by Ellen Reid and performed by the National Symphony Orchestra, Kronos Quartet, Shabaka Hutchings, Nadia Sirota, James McVinnie Ensemble and the SOUNDWALK Ensemble, and blends public art, music and technology to create an immersive journey of fresh perspectives.
Ellen Reid said:
I so enjoyed working in St. Stephen’s Green on SOUNDWALK. The park was a beautiful and generous collaborator, and this iteration is truly one of my favourites. I hope visitors will try the SOUNDWALK multiple times, during different seasons and times of day, and find new inspiration in familiar parkland.
Robert Read, CEO of the National Concert Hall:
The National Concert Hall is delighted to work with composer Ellen Reid on this exciting new project bringing music to the Irish public in a new and innovative way. The aim of our programme strategy at NCH is to engage, surprise and inspire the public through music. We feel this project does just that, offering users of the iconic site an immersive musical experience that is unique and deeply personal which we hope will also be inspiring and uplifting. I would like to thank our project partners the OPW and our neighbours IPUT Real Estate for making this possible and for Ellen’s stimulating soundtrack.
Niall Gaffney, Chief Executive of IPUT Real Estate Dublin said:
Placemaking and creating space for culture play an important role in our strategy. Art, culture, and creativity breathe life into our buildings and the spaces around them; making Dublin a more attractive and vibrant place to live and work. We are proud to partner with the National Concert Hall and the OPW to bring the work of Pulitzer Prize winner Ellen Reid to St Stephen’s Green and look forward to enjoying what will be an exciting and engaging [cultural/music] experience.
‘Ellen Reid SOUNDWALK St Stephen’s Green’ is available to download now. The installation will remain available throughout 2023 giving Irish people and visitors to St. Stephen’s Green in the centre of Dublin the opportunity to take an immersive musical journey through one of Dublin’s most iconic landmarks.
Ellen Reid SOUNDWALK was co-commissioned by the New York Philharmonic, Saratoga Performing Arts Centre, Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, Mann Centre for the Performing Arts in association with The Fairmount Park Conservancy, and the Britt Festival Orchestra. Ellen Reid SOUNDWALK is made possible in part by the support of Mindscapes, Wellcome’s International Cultural Programme about mental health.
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