On this episode of Turning Points, Patricia Killeen spoke with John McLachlan, an Irish composer. John was born in Dublin and is currently residing in Donegal.  He studied music at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and Trinity College Dublin, where he earned a PhD in musicology, focusing on the compositional techniques of Boulez, Xenakis, Lutoslawski, and Carter. His composition teachers include William York, Robert Hanson, and Kevin Volans.

John’s works have been performed internationally across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Africa, and by many prominent ensembles and soloists. He has received commissions from major organizations including RTÉ NSO, New Music Dublin, Music Network, and the National Concert Hall.

His music is featured on several recordings and anthologies, and his pedagogical piano works have been published in the Royal Irish Academy of Music syllabus. Notable releases include First and Drinking the Stars, both on Farpoint Recordings.

In 2022, he edited and published two books by his mother, writer Leland Bardwell, and organized a literary festival in her honor. He also created a Leland Bardwell website.

He is an active writer and broadcaster on contemporary music, and has contributed to the promotion of Irish music through his roles in the Association of Irish Composers and the Irish Composition Summer School. His music is available through the Contemporary Music Centre.

Paris has played a significant role in John’s work. During a month spent in the CCI (Centre Culturel Irlandais) in 2023, he created a piece called: Le Dernier Bourgeon de L'avenir. Patricia met up with him the day before he returned to Ireland after spending another month in the CCI.