Acclaimed Grammy Award-winning mandolinist, singer, songwriter, composer, and MacArthur Fellow recipient of the prestigious 'Genius Grant', Chris Thile is a multifaceted musical talent, and then some.
A founding member of the highly influential string bands Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek, he has collaborated with countless luminaries from Yo-Yo Ma to Fiona Apple to Brad Mehldau, hosted public radio favorite Live from Here with Chris Thile (formerly A Prairie Home Companion), and has cultivated an acclaimed solo career, releasing lauded albums like Deceiver (2004) and How To Grow A Woman From The Ground (2006).
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Listen Chris Thile talks to Arena in 2022
His forthcoming concert in the NCH in Dublin will see him play a wide-ranging program featuring selections from his acclaimed solo recordings of Bach's Sonatas and Partitas – including the upcoming second volume due later this year – alongside his signature mix of classical, folk and improvisational brilliance.
We asked Chris for his choice cultural picks...
FILM
I just introduced Spirited Away to my ten-year-old son and was blown away afresh by the relentlessness of Miyazaki’s creativity. It’s like peak Stravinsky for the eyes!
MUSIC
Speaking of, when’s the last time you listened to Petrushka or the Rite of Spring with your whole being? Been wearing the Boulez/Cleveland Orchestra recording of them out this year and just…AHHHHH. It’s like Spirited Away for the ears! Also, I continue to be deeply moved by the open-hearted precision of Haley Heynderickx’s songwriting/singing/playing. Check out The Mouth of the Flower, Redwoods, and Swoop from her latest solo album, Seed of a Seed.
BOOK
I’m late to the party as always, but good Lord, I was ransacked by Roberto Bolaño’s 2666. Jennifer Egan’s Geek Squad and Candy House couplet also got me this year. And Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Quartet. For something shorter, I’ve been spending a lot of time with Fox 8, by George Saunders (who I consider to be empathy incarnate).
THEATRE
I haven’t gotten to see it staged yet, but I fell head over heels for Eboni Booth’s Primary Trust. All victories are small, all victories are gigantic, and Burt, you can join me for a Mai Tai anytime!
TV
Sinner vs. Alcaraz. The greatest show on Earth.
in the men's final of the 2025 French Open (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty)
GIG
Ahh, I love this question! The most recent gig I saw was with my family, close to home: our pal, George Meyer, premiering his new orchestrations of a few old bluegrass tunes with the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra. We were in the middle of moving house and almost didn’t go… but what a shame that would’ve been! It gave us some desperately needed fuel. The moral of the story is ALWAYS GO TO THE GIG.
ART
Ok, this is like saying have you heard of this band, The Beatles? but I’m obsessed with Mark Rothko. Those freaking blocks of his just wring my soul RIGHT OUT. So everywhere I go, I check to see if the museum in town has any Rothkos I haven’t seen. If you’ve never experienced the Rothko Chapel in Houston, Texas, it’s worth a special trip, as are Seagram Murals at the Tate in London. I’ve probably logged the most time (and shed the most tears) in the room of Rothkos at the Chicago Institute of Art though.
TECH
The Bartender’s Choice app. The most useful companion for a well-stocked bar (and a restless palate). Want a Manhattan but not quite? Type in 'Manhattan' and see what else comes up. Did you buy some green chartreuse to make Last Words and are now wondering what ELSE you could do with it? Knock yourself out! In moderation, that is.
THE NEXT BIG THING...
I hope, I hope, I hope: listening to recorded music while not doing anything else. The way we watch our favorite films and television shows. Let’s put a record on, close our eyes, and be changed.
Chris Thile plays the National Concert Hall, Dublin on Wednesday 19 November - find out more here
