15th November 2000

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The University of Ulster is proud to present the UK premiere of Ian Wilson’s 'In blue sea or sky' - a new work for solo harp - at a forthcoming Lunchtime Recital at the Jordanstown campus. The premiere will be held at Dalriada House on Tues 21 Nov at 1.15.The work will be performed by Leading international harpist Cliona Doris. Admission is free.

Ian was born in Belfast in 1964 and obtained the first D.Phil. in composition to be awarded by the University of Ulster which, in 1993, commissioned his orchestral work Rise in celebration of the tenth anniversary of its foundation. His music has been performed and broadcast throughout Ireland, the United Kingdom, Europe, the Far East and Africa, as well as in North and South America and Israel. The many renowned orchestras which have performed his music include the following: National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, Belgrade Philharmonic, Norwegian Radio Orchestra, London Mozart Players, Irish Chamber Orchestra and the Vanburgh, Vogler and Endellion Quartets.

He said: "My harp piece was commissioned by Cliona Doris with funds from the Arts Council of Ireland. It was inspired by a triptych of paintings I saw last summer in the National Gallery in London. American artist Cy Twombly's three empirical paintings of boats were beautifully ambiguous as to whether they were floating in the sea or the sky, and I wanted to try and capture this enigma in the music, which is itself very fluid."

University of Ulster Art Administrator, Dr Irena Adams said "We are also delighted to welcome Cliona Doris, one of the most distinguished harpists of her generation who will perform 'In blue sea or sky'." Cliona was born in Northern Ireland, where she graduated from Queen’s University in 1992. She continued her studies in the USA under the direction of the esteemed harpist, Susanne McDonald at the world-renowned Indiana University School of Music, Bloomington, and she graduated in 1997 with the Doctor of Music Degree in Harp Performance and Music Literature.

Cliona has extensive recital, chamber music, and orchestral and broadcasting experience. She has performed on radio and television for BBC, RTE, and on Ulster Television. An active chamber and orchestral musician, Cliona is a member of the Aeolus Ensemble and as an orchestral harpist she has performed with the Ulster Orchestra, RTE Concert Orchestra and the English Symphony Orchestra.

For further information contact Dr Irena Adams Tel 028 7032 4449

For further information, please contact:

Press Office, Department of Communication and Development
Tel: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk