“The Northern Irish composer Anselm McDonnell is unafraid of contradictions. In recent years, and as his compositional range has grown, McDonnell’s interest in conflict and its resolution have been joined by a more expansive political, social, and environmental outlook. Some of this comes from the complex history and culture of his native country.” Tim Rutherford-Johnson, composer profile for Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.

Anselm McDonnell is a composer of orchestral, chamber, choral, solo, and electronic music. He has held residencies at the London Symphony Orchestra (Jerwood+ composer for 2023/24), Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris (Oct/Nov 23), TACETi Ensemble in Bangkok (Jun 23), and Belfast City Council (2022). A diverse range of interests have led to the creation of work in collaboration with rap artists, lighting designers, theologians, poets, filmmakers (including 360 VR, ambisonic recording and spatialized sound), improvising musicians, fashion designers, dancers, and actors. His work has been performed in sixteen countries and is available on fifteen CDs. He was one of BBC Radio 3’s commissioned composers for 25 for 2025, their broadcast programme leading up to the BBC Proms 2025.

Upcoming premiere – Fri 30th Jan 2026 – Cello Concerto No. 1 – Hostile Summits w/ Martin Johnson, Ryan McAdams and NSO Ireland

Perhaps the contrasts and complexities (his music) contains are a musical reflection of the multi-layered nature of what it means to be a composer in a community as complex as Northern Ireland

PLANET HUGILL

His music evokes emotional territories indicative of our time’s unsettled
state of menace, balanced with personal moments of fragile hope and stability.

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