I Create Online

A new and imaginative cross-collaborative mini-series by the Irish Chamber Orchestra

Collaboration and experimentation are at the heart of the Irish Chamber Orchestra’s mission and during our 50th Anniversary Year (2020), we commissioned a Covid-inspired series of ‘shorts’ through creative and collaborative partnerships with thirteen arts specialists.

A play on Irish Chamber Orchestra (ICO), the I Create Online series showcases a variety of creative disciplines with each expression accompanied by an assortment of music from the Irish Chamber Orchestra. We bring the ICO into people’s hearts and homes, to inspire and move them with these innovative collaborations, whilst also supporting fellow artists.  Four creative heart-warming and inspirational episodes were broadcast on ICO social media channels. Watch below!

“We at ICO are extremely grateful to the participating artists who have worked with us throughout this creative process in extraordinary circumstances.  It has been a privilege to develop these projects and to forge new relationships with a whole new world of artists and technology.”

gerard keenan irish chamber orchestraGerard Keenan , ICO CEO

Episode 1 – Covid Captured

Our first episode is a trio with socially engaged practitioner and photographer Deirdre Power, animator Philip Shanahan and the Irish Chamber Orchestra.  This ethereal project observes and captures the emotion of a city, and its people through the lens of Covid-19. The ICO’s haunting rendition of Piazzolla’s Oblivion conjures up a complex mix of emotions which are powerfully reflected in vivid and poignant imagery.

Episode 2 – A New Dawn

The second collaboration is another trio with Aerialist Aisling Ní Cheallaigh, ICO Cellist Christian Elliott and Film Editor, Michelle Ryan. Escape from the reality of Covid-19 and let’s fly with Aisling accompanied by Christian’s stunning arrangement of The House of the Rising Sun.

Episode 3 – Life on Mars

Our third collaboration is a scintillating sextet of talent featuring Guitarist Jimmy Smyth, Singer Karrie O’Sullivan Holmes and the Irish Chamber Orchestra.  David Bowie’s Life on Mars has been re-imagined for strings by ICO guru Kenneth Rice and Producer/Guitarist Jimmy Smyth.  Cleverly adapted for visual effect by film editor Dominik Kosicki, with recording and production by Paul Ashe-Browne, Karrie’s amazing voice really resonates with orchestral accompaniment.  Just magical!

Episode 4 – Tides of Time

Our fourth and final sextet in the current season features an adapted extract from Time After Time by children’s author Judi Curtin, cleverly narrated by ICO Cellist, Aoífe Nic Athlaoich and colourfully animated by Phil Shanahan.  The atmospheric Wave is the fruit of a bountiful collaboration between ICO and composer Sam Perkin and The Arts Council of Ireland.

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