Fergus Johnston

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4th October 2005: how's this for a glowing review?

Here's an extract from an Irish Press review that was never printed, which is why I'm showing it here...It deals with the first performance of Binn an tSíorsholais in the Helix in February 2005 by the RTECO, conducted by Laurent Wagner.

...But in the august company of Henze, Harrison Birtwistle, Alexander Goehr and Oliver Knussen, the premiere of Fergus Johnston's Binn an tSiorsholais (The Peak of Eternal Light) shone like an assured beacon. Here was music of positive statement and gripping intensity.
Glasslike strings, glittering woodwind and strongly pronounced brass were individually effective and the piece, despite certain density, retained remarkably lucid textures. - Pat O'Kelly