JAMES HURLEY

"The Great Irish Poets Songbook is a group of compelling original music compositions which creates a new dimension in which to experience some of the great texts of the poets of our history. The compositions by James Hurley, and the execution together with singer Dean Power had a lasting effect on the enthralled and enthusiastic audience" - Darina Gallagher, Director, James Joyce Center

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 “It’s a rare thrill to have your words set to music by a composer as talented as James, and to see the resulting songs performed so beautifully in front of a live audience. A richly collaborative experience.”  -Michael Crummey, author and poet, winner of 2025 Dublin Literary award

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"Hurley's original music was  captivating, skillfully crafted with complex harmonies and played  with élan ... substantial ... refreshing"

-Cathy Desmond, Waterford

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"...Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear is one of the most powerful songs I’ve ever heard. Timely and yet timeless" -Tom Gordon, Professor Emeritus Memorial University

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"...impressive ... both varied and powerful in character." -Ryan Molloy, Pianist & Composer, Professor Maynooth University Dublin

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"... a rich, emotional, unique embodied experience" -Kyla Bruff,  Professor of Philosophy at Carleton University

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"..captivating" -Luke Quinton, Riddle Fence

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"As someone who loves words, I find it exciting to witness James bring dimension to them with his inventive compositions. He has a finely tuned ability to interpret text through music. I’m so grateful for our collaborations to date and look forward to many more. He is a generous and gifted collaborator." -Duncan Major, prize winning artist and poet

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"Kraftvolle, genre-verbindene Musik ist entstanden, in der die Seele Irlands auf moderne und traditionsbewahrende Art zu finden ist" 

-Ulrich Habersetzer, BR 

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- English Translation -

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“Powerful, genre-bridging music has emerged in which the soul of Ireland can be found in a way that is both modern and true to tradition.” 

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James Hurley – Piano Solo (Quiet music in Open Spaces)

(Article originally in German by Ulrich Habersetzer, BR)

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Diese Musik holt tief Luft. Das Einatmen ist spürbar zu Beginn und es ist schon Teil der Musik. Aus der luftschöpfenden Stille heraus beginnen diese Klänge sich zu entfalten. Langsam und leise zuerst, nur zarte Tupfe, feine Akzente, einzelne Töne, kleine Figuren, leise Akkorde. Eine Musik, die sich vortastet in den Raum, in dem sie erklingt. Mit Zeit und Atem füllen die Klaviertöne den Kirchenraum, sie hallen wider zwischen den Wänden. 

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Aus den Tupfern werden sanfte Striche, die Musik bekommt Kontur. In Zeitlupe verdichteten sich die Melodien. Themen und Linien werden deutlich. Sie umschmeicheln das Ohr, als seien sie aus altbekannten Songs vergangener Zeiten, fest eingebrannt im kollektiven Gedächtnis. Aber: Diese Musik hat ihren Atem aus dem Moment geschöpft. Kein Ton stand vorher auf einem Notenblatt oder wurde zurechtgelegt. James Hurley improvisiert aus dem Augenblick heraus. Er lässt sich leiten vom hier und jetzt, aber auch von seinem Background als klassischer Pianist, von seiner Geschmackssicherheit als Interpret mit großem Gestaltungswillen, von seiner Lust an spontanen Klangerkundungen und von seinem Mut zum Risiko, Musik einfach aus nichts erfinden zu können.

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Die Musik ist eine konstante Einladung an die Zuhörenden, sich hineinfallen zu lassen in die Klänge. Auf den Harmonien, den Akkorden, den Melodien lässt sich fortgleiten in eine tiefe Entspannung,  geschickt durchwoben mit überlegt gesetzten Spannungsmomenten. Die Gewissheit, sich eine knappe Stunde von den Klängen leiten lassen zu können, begleitet einen beim Zuhören. Eine Musik, die tief Luft holt und auf musikalische Art die Lungen füllt.

 

 - English Translation - 

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This music takes a deep breath. The inhalation is perceptible at the beginning, and it is already part of the music. Out of a silence that seems to draw in air, the sounds begin to unfold. Slowly and softly at first—just delicate dabs, fine accents, isolated notes, small figures, quiet chords. A music that tentatively feels its way into the space in which it sounds. With time and breath, the piano tones fill the church, resonating between the walls.

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From dabs emerge gentle strokes; the music gains contour. In slow motion, the melodies condense. Themes and lines become clear. They caress the ear as if they came from long-familiar songs of times past, firmly etched into the collective memory. And yet: this music has drawn its breath from the moment itself. Not a single note existed beforehand on a sheet of music or was prepared in advance. James Hurley improvises directly out of the present instant. He allows himself to be guided by the here and now, but also by his background as a classical pianist, by his sure taste as an interpreter with a strong creative will, by his delight in spontaneous exploration of sound, and by his courage to take risks—to invent music out of nothing.

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The music is a constant invitation to listeners to let themselves fall into the sounds. Carried along by harmonies, chords, and melodies, one can drift into deep relaxation, skillfully interwoven with carefully placed moments of tension. The assurance that one can allow oneself to be guided by the sounds for nearly an hour accompanies the act of listening. A music that takes a deep breath and, in a musical way, fills the lungs.