Eric Sweeney (15 July 1948 – 21 July 2020) was an Irish composer.[1] He was a member of Aosdána, an elite association of Irish artists.[2]
Eric Sweeney | |
|---|---|
| Born | 15 July 1948 Dublin, Ireland |
| Origin | Dublin |
| Died | 21 July 2020 (aged 72) Waterford, Ireland |
| Genres | Classical, Minimalism |
| Occupation(s) | composer, conductor, lecturer |
| Years active | late 1960s–2010 |
| Spouse | Sally Johnston |
Early life
editEric Sweeney was born in Dublin in 1948. He studied in Ireland, England, Belgium and Italy, including at the Conservatorio Santa Cecilia.[3][4]
Career
editSweeney composed in a minimalist style influenced by Béla Bartók, Olivier Messiaen, Andrzej Panufnik, John Adams and Steve Reich. Over his career, he composed two symphonies, five concertos, three operas and choral works, including the cantata Deirdre.[5] He was influenced by traditional Irish music and airs.[4]
Sweeney lectured at the DIT Conservatory of Music (today the TU Dublin Conservatoire) and at Trinity College, Dublin. He was Choral Director at RTÉ from 1978 to 1981. He received a D.Phil. from the University of Ulster in 1994. He was Head of the Music Department at Waterford Institute of Technology until 2010. He was a member of the Arts Council from 1989 to 1993.[6][7]
Personal life
editSweeney married Sally Johnston in 1972; they had three children. They lived in Waterford from 1981 until his death in 2020.[2]
References
edit- ^ "Death of colleague Eric Sweeney ( Composer / Conductor)". superannrte.ie.
- ^ a b "Eric Sweeney obituary: Composer, conductor and educator". The Irish Times.
- ^ "Eric Sweeney". Contemporary Music Centre. 20 September 2018.
- ^ a b "RIP Composer Eric Sweeney". The Journal of Music – Irish Music, News, Reviews, Opinion, Concerts, Festivals and Opportunities.
- ^ "Eric Sweeney".
- ^ "Dr Eric Sweeney (1948-2020): a celebrated composer, organist and academic". Waterford News & Star. 21 July 2020.
- ^ Express, Munster (23 November 2021). "REMEMBERING ERIC SWEENEY".