Irish collective Crash Ensemble have announced their upcoming album Crash Works I, due 15 September via Crash Records.

The project sees the group collaborate with composers Amy Rooney and Anselm McDonnell, songwriter Laura Hyland, pianist Yue Song and harpist Úna Monaghan.

The album was recorded live at the National Concert Hall in Dublin.

The first phase of Crash Works offered each musician the chance to share their work in progress - performed by Crash Ensemble - to an invited audience of national and international presenters at New Music Dublin in April 2022.

Anselm McDonnell.
Credit: Laura Sheeran

Crash Works is a partnership between Crash Ensemble and New Music Dublin who commission and support the artistic and professional development of music creators and their careers.

Creators benefit from a wide range of support covering artistic mentorship, workshops, producing work, through to self-promotion and making funding applications.

Amy Rooney.
Credit: Laura Sheeran

The second phase of Crash Works culminated in the premiere of their new commissions for full ensemble on Friday 21 April 2023 at New Music Dublin festival at the National Concert Hall.

“Crash Works I is a collection of 5 brand new works from 5 brilliant music creators all at pivotal stages of their careers,” said artistic director Kate Ellis.

“These works were recorded live at New Music Dublin in April 2023 and are the culmination of 2 years of thinking, creating, collaborating, investigating and exploration in collaboration with the ensemble and our creative team. We are very very proud of the creators and excited to share this work with the world.”

Pre-save the album here.

Crash Works I track list:

1. Amy Rooney - disequilibrium ^
2. Anselm McDonnell - Honnold ^&
3. Laura Hyland - Sleep Piece (for Julia) *
4. Yue Song - Senses IV ⁺
5. Úna Monaghan -  Little Auditoriums I - concept/prelude^> 
6. Úna Monaghan -  Little Auditoriums II - in parallel ^~