Article

A Woman and her Cello: Ilse de Ziah's Approach to Irish Traditional Music

Kaylie Streit

Published in: Ethnomusicology Ireland 7 (2021)

Pages: 89-93 | Published Online: April 2021

https://doi.org/10.64208/QZOE7339

Abstract

Since the early 2000’s, cellist Ilse de Ziah has immersed herself in the aural transmission process essential to acquiring the techniques of Irish traditional music. This knowledge, combined with the fact that cello is not a core instrument in the Irish traditional music scene, has enabled de Ziah to negotiate a particular place for herself as a performer. As a contribution to the widening field of literature and performance data on women musicians in traditional and folk music, this article documents her creative practice and the development of techniques and arrangements for cello within an Irish traditional music sound world.

Keywords: Irish traditional music, cello, creative practice

Author: Kaylie Streit