NZSQ — Strings in the Earth & Air

A concert of traditional Irish airs and folk melodies will be presented at a concert at the newly opened Wellington Town Hall in April 2027. Join Tom Delany and Dave Flynn for traditional and contemporary works in NZSQ — Strings in the Earth & Air. Tom Delany will play the uilleann pipes, while Dave Flynn will be on the guitar. ‘Uilleann’ means ‘elbow’ in Irish. The uilleann pipes are powered by the elbow, pumping air instead of the Scottish bagpipes that use the lungs. 

The concert takes its name from James Joyce’s poetry collection ‘Chamber Music’. Most of the poems in the collection revolve around the twin themes of love and music. ‘Strings in the earth and air’ is the poem that opens the collection. The concert forms part of New Zealand String Quartet’s In Collaboration series. With roughly one in six Kiwis being of Irish heritage, there are enduring connections between Ireland and Aotearoa. This concert brings those ties to life through poetry, song, and strings.

Tom Delany plays uilleann pipes, guitar, and bouzouki, and sings. As a founding member of Irish ensemble FOURWINDS, he has toured the world. He is known for playing traditional Irish music in a daring, free-flowing style. Dave Flynn is a composer and guitarist who offers a unique blend of Irish trad, minimalism, and jazz. His work has been performed by leading ensembles in venues across the globe.