This documentary explores the little known inspiring story of the New Irish Recording Company (NIRC), a groundbreaking recording company and record label dedicated to Irish contemporary classical music. Established in 1971 by Seamus O'Neill, Rodney Senior, and Darby Carroll, the NIRC undertook the ambitious mission of recording Irish classical music in Ireland during a time when the industry was dominated by global giants like Deutsche Gramophone and EMI. Operating on a shoestring budget, the NIRC defied the odds, producing around 20 full-length recordings that elevated Irish classical music to the global stage. Sadly, much of this invaluable work remains largely unheard and is now difficult to access. Produced and presented by Jimmy Eadie.
Music Extracts:
07:40 NIR 001 Charles Lynch - Piano Vol.1 [1971] Aloys Fleischmann Suite for Piano
10:10 NIR 003 Gerard Gillen - At the Chapel Organ of Trinity College Dublin [1971] Dietrich Buxtehude - Prelude
12:12 NIR 004 New Irish Chamber Orchestra LP [1971] Conducted by Andre Prieur Haydn 65 Vivace e con spirato
17:42 NIR 004 New Irish Chamber Orchestra LP [1971] Conducted by Andre Prieur Stavinsky Dumbarton Oaks.
21:09 NIR 004 New Irish Chamber Orchestra LP [1971] Conducted by Andre Prieur Stavinsky Dumbarton Oaks.
23:33 NIR 004 New Irish Chamber Orchestra LP [1971] Conducted by Andre Prieur Haydn 65 Andante
30:13 NIR 009 New Irish Chamber Orchestra LP [1973] Conducted by Andre Prieur Haydn - Symphony No 73 La Chasse Adagio
31:37 NIR 010 James Galway - Flute and the New Irish Chamber Orchestra Conducted by Andre Prieur. Mozart - Concerto for Flute and Orchestra No1 in G K313
35:45 James Galway - Flute and the New Irish Chamber Orchestra Conducted by Andre Prieur. Mozart - Concerto for Flute and Orchestra No2 in D K314.
33:33 NIR 013 New Irish Chamber Orchestra. cond. Andre Prieur. Bernadette Greevy. LP [1974]. Les nuit d'Ete.
40:20 NIR 004 New Irish Chamber Orchestra LP [1971] Conducted by Andre Prieur Stavinsky Dumbarton Oaks.
NIRC Recorded Catalog: https://www.irishrock.org/labels/nirc.html
Technical Terms Discussed:
00:35 The Neumann U87 is a popular condenser microphone known for its clarity.
04:18 Rodney mentions Brian Boydell and the Vortexion, a UK-made reel-to-reel recorder.
04:40 Rodney refers to the tape recorder's 15 kHz frequency response range.
04:44 Pushing the signal 'into the red' improved signal-to-noise ratio on tape machines.
04:56 15 IPS (inches per second) was used for higher fidelity recordings.
05:38 First reflections occur when sound quickly bounces off surfaces and returns to the mic.
05:44 Neumann cables and Revox at 15 IPS allowed high-quality recording by maximizing levels.
06:41 The Revox A77 was a widely used reel-to-reel tape machine in the 1960s and 70s.
07:29 Darby describes using Neumann U87s in cardioid pattern for focused sound pickup.
16:27 In studios, turning down monitors when addressing musicians avoids communication issues.
17:00 The Decca Tree, pioneered by Decca Records, uses 3 mics for a spacious stereo sound.
17:05 Rodney preferred not to use 'spot' mics, which isolate instruments but reduce balance.
20:59 Omnidirectional mics capture sound equally from all directions for a natural tone.
24:52 A stamper is the master template used to press vinyl records.
33:47 Darby explains that recordings were done in stereo without multi-tracking.
