Frederick May: Sunlight and Shadow- 1911-1985 Selected Orchestral Works performed by the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Robert Houlihan, marks the first significant orchestral release of the music of one of the most important figures in Irish music during the mid-20th century. The release has been timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of May’s birth. According to his contemporary Brian Boydell, ‘…he led the way for so many of us’. Frederick May looked to Europe for inspiration, representing the forward looking group of Irish composers active from the 1930s in contrast to the increasing cultural isolationism cultivated by the leaders of the young Republic at that time.

Frederick May: Sunlight and Shadow contains May’s first and last orchestral works – his Scherzo and Sunlight and Shadow – as well as Spring Nocturne and Suite of Irish Airs, the latter a commission from Radio Éireann.

One of May’s finest achievements was his Songs from Prison, a moving and disturbing reflection on the dangers facing individual freedom under the threat of Nazism in the 1930s. Influenced by the time he spent in Vienna around then, the original German text was by the Jewish socialist playwright Ernst Toller, who died by suicide in 1939.

Towards the end of his life, May was dogged by deafness, alcoholism and mental illness but he never lost faith in his craft. Frederick May: Sunlight and Shadow is a fitting testament to a man who wrote about being a composer thus: ‘One should follow one’s own star with humility and patience, wherever it may lead.’

RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra biography

Principal Conductor: Alan Buribayev

Principal Guest Conductor: Hannu Lintu

Associate Artist: Finghin Collins

Creative Advisor: Paul Rissmann

Innovation is the watchword for the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra.The Irish Times, September 2010

The RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra plays a central role in classical music in Ireland through regular live performance and broadcasts alongside regional touring and residency projects. As an integral part of the Irish state broadcaster (RTÉ) the orchestra reaches thousands of listeners through its weekly live performances on RTÉ lyric fm and through the international radio stations of the EBU.

The RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra’s September-May concert season at the National Concert Hall comprises weekly concerts and pre-concert talks; Horizons, the contemporary music series featuring works by Irish composers; FORTÉ, the musical discovery educational programme; Late Night concerts; lunchtime concerts; a mentoring scheme for young musicians; and open rehearsals and annual regional concerts. The orchestra also presents an annual summer evening and lunchtime concert series during June and July.

The orchestra has been critically acclaimed at home and abroad for its recordings across a variety of labels, including RTÉ’s own lyric fm label: notable this past year have been Editor’s Choice in Gramophone (Stanford), Classic FM CD of the Month (Fleischmann), and international press acclaim for RTÉ lyric fm’s CD of works for solo clarinet and orchestra featuring RTÉ NSO Principal Clarinet, John Finucane.

2011 highlights to date include the a performance for Queen Elizabeth II during her historic visit to Ireland with artists including Eimear Quinn and Westlife; participation in the world première of Shelter Me From The Rain by Brian Irvine (music) and John McIlduff (text), commissioned by Carlow Local Authorities and featuring 12 members of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra performing in conjunction with Carlow performers – it was recently awarded the ‘Best Use of Creativity in the Community Award’ in the Allianz Business to Arts Awards; and the orchestra’s performance at the final Garden Party hosted by its Patron, President Mary McAleese, and Senator Martin McAleese in Áras an Uachtaráin in July.