Press Reviews and Testimonials
Clicking on the quotations will bring you to the source articles where they are available.
“Dave Flynn is one of the few people in Irish music who is equally at home performing in a traditional session, a jazz session or in a classical concert.” Judy Murphy - The Connaught Tribune
“Irish music is this Dublin composer’s passion and main inspiration, and at times he has the quartet’s two violinists digging into their instruments with the kind of power and grittiness you hear from Celtic fiddlers at their most raucous” Alan Kozinn - The New York Times
“Dave Flynn occupies a unique position in the world of music: his work reflects an intimate and respectful knowledge of the Irish folk tradition along with deep insight and skill in the world of modern classical composition.' –” Martin Hayes - Internationally Renowned Irish Musician
“If folksperimentation was a genre, this immersive blend of classical composition and Irish jig arrangement would fall right in its place. Perhaps most impressive of all are Flynn’s orchestral and song-writing skills; he pens seductive and warming tracks which are performed with a level of class unparalleled in a lot of folk/classical crossovers”. – Andrew Latimer (Three Weeks Daily, Edinburgh Review)
‘’Dave Flynn is rapidly establishing himself as a central figure in Irish composition. His fascination with Irish traditional music brings a new perspective into this arena of composition and raises a fresh debate on a century-old interactive process between classical music traditions and indigenous orally transmitted music.’’ – Dr. Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Director, Irish World Academy of Music and Dance
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“Dave breathes new life into the music with a lovely melodic lilt and lift to each tune that has been carefully selected to feature on this recording. It is not your typical guitar album; the dexterity of finger movement and sheer delight in playing these melodies is quite apparent from start to finish on this album. He has carved a niche to represent his own distinctive and personal style that shines through in many ways on this album.” Edel McLaughlin - Irish Music Magazine
‘'In an era dominated by fret-burning virtuosity, gently persuasive releases such as this are a rare and precious resource. A significant niche release and one of the most effective chill-out discs ever to come my way''. Paul Fowles - Classical Guitar Magazine
“Nothing could have prepared me for the innovative, soothingly pastoral music that washed over me. The works, arranged and composed by Flynn, are a unique and truly satisfying blend of traditional Irish melodies and harmonies, gently delivered in a contemporary style” Timothy Smith - Minor 7th
“An interesting and intriguing collection from a tunesmith, instrumentalist and composer, Dave Flynn is a name to conjure with and Draiocht is very definitely worth an open-minded listen. ” John O'Regan - Irish Music Magazine “
“Draiocht is Gaelic for magic, and it certainly suffuses this solo debut from Dublin Guitar Quartet member Flynn. He doesn’t hammer you over the head with his technique, but instead seduces with melody and invention.'” Chris Nickson - Sing Out!
“Flynn is seeking to bring the influence of traditional Irish music into the hallowed realms of the classical string quartet and moments of the Smith Quartet’s performance of this minimalist- influenced work gelled to perfection ” Michael Dervan - The Irish Times
“‘More positive to relate were two efforts from a younger breed of composer, unveiled by the Smith Quartet. David Flynn’s ‘The Cranning’ incorporated traditional Irish music without Hollywood pastiche…..’' Neil Fisher - The Times
“‘What struck me about Flynn was his self-confidence and sure-footedness. He had something to say in his music and was damned well going to say it. The audience loved it and so did the players—the Smith Quartet’” Barbara Slaughter - WSWS Arts Review
“The evening's most advanced piece - because it seemed to offer a hint of parody - was also the most entertaining. In Electric Guichair, David Flynn sampled, manipulated and combined sounds from two sources: feedback caused by messing around with the leads and input jacks of his electric guitar, and a squeaky chair. Clever, imaginative, good fun, the right length.” Michael Dungan - The Irish Times
‘Listening to his light and sensitive touch, it becomes clear that he is a very fine player who has thorough understanding of the subtle nuances of Irish fiddle tunes. Dave Flynn is a masterful guitarist.’
Tom Druckenmiller (Sing Out!)
'Flynn clearly understands the problems of marrying the traditional and the classical'- Michael Dervan, The Irish Times
“Dave Flynn is one of the few people in Irish music who is equally at home performing in a traditional session, a jazz session or in a classical concert.” Judy Murphy - The Connaught Tribune
“Irish music is this Dublin composer’s passion and main inspiration, and at times he has the quartet’s two violinists digging into their instruments with the kind of power and grittiness you hear from Celtic fiddlers at their most raucous” Alan Kozinn - The New York Times
“Dave Flynn occupies a unique position in the world of music: his work reflects an intimate and respectful knowledge of the Irish folk tradition along with deep insight and skill in the world of modern classical composition.' –” Martin Hayes - Internationally Renowned Irish Musician
“If folksperimentation was a genre, this immersive blend of classical composition and Irish jig arrangement would fall right in its place. Perhaps most impressive of all are Flynn’s orchestral and song-writing skills; he pens seductive and warming tracks which are performed with a level of class unparalleled in a lot of folk/classical crossovers”. – Andrew Latimer (Three Weeks Daily, Edinburgh Review)
‘’Dave Flynn is rapidly establishing himself as a central figure in Irish composition. His fascination with Irish traditional music brings a new perspective into this arena of composition and raises a fresh debate on a century-old interactive process between classical music traditions and indigenous orally transmitted music.’’ – Dr. Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Director, Irish World Academy of Music and Dance
_
“Dave breathes new life into the music with a lovely melodic lilt and lift to each tune that has been carefully selected to feature on this recording. It is not your typical guitar album; the dexterity of finger movement and sheer delight in playing these melodies is quite apparent from start to finish on this album. He has carved a niche to represent his own distinctive and personal style that shines through in many ways on this album.” Edel McLaughlin - Irish Music Magazine
‘'In an era dominated by fret-burning virtuosity, gently persuasive releases such as this are a rare and precious resource. A significant niche release and one of the most effective chill-out discs ever to come my way''. Paul Fowles - Classical Guitar Magazine
“Nothing could have prepared me for the innovative, soothingly pastoral music that washed over me. The works, arranged and composed by Flynn, are a unique and truly satisfying blend of traditional Irish melodies and harmonies, gently delivered in a contemporary style” Timothy Smith - Minor 7th
“An interesting and intriguing collection from a tunesmith, instrumentalist and composer, Dave Flynn is a name to conjure with and Draiocht is very definitely worth an open-minded listen. ” John O'Regan - Irish Music Magazine “
“Draiocht is Gaelic for magic, and it certainly suffuses this solo debut from Dublin Guitar Quartet member Flynn. He doesn’t hammer you over the head with his technique, but instead seduces with melody and invention.'” Chris Nickson - Sing Out!
“Flynn is seeking to bring the influence of traditional Irish music into the hallowed realms of the classical string quartet and moments of the Smith Quartet’s performance of this minimalist- influenced work gelled to perfection ” Michael Dervan - The Irish Times
“‘More positive to relate were two efforts from a younger breed of composer, unveiled by the Smith Quartet. David Flynn’s ‘The Cranning’ incorporated traditional Irish music without Hollywood pastiche…..’' Neil Fisher - The Times
“‘What struck me about Flynn was his self-confidence and sure-footedness. He had something to say in his music and was damned well going to say it. The audience loved it and so did the players—the Smith Quartet’” Barbara Slaughter - WSWS Arts Review
“The evening's most advanced piece - because it seemed to offer a hint of parody - was also the most entertaining. In Electric Guichair, David Flynn sampled, manipulated and combined sounds from two sources: feedback caused by messing around with the leads and input jacks of his electric guitar, and a squeaky chair. Clever, imaginative, good fun, the right length.” Michael Dungan - The Irish Times
‘Listening to his light and sensitive touch, it becomes clear that he is a very fine player who has thorough understanding of the subtle nuances of Irish fiddle tunes. Dave Flynn is a masterful guitarist.’
Tom Druckenmiller (Sing Out!)
'Flynn clearly understands the problems of marrying the traditional and the classical'- Michael Dervan, The Irish Times
