Description
"This ia a very refreshing disc. Sheridan's interpretations have the spirit of Ireland about a century after Carolan's death, during a time when the influences of Liszt and Beethoven began to mingle with a heritage that had already absorbed and polished the works of the great blind harper in the folk process. May we see more discs like these!"
-Reviewer: Stefan Dollak, director of Bartholomew Faire
O'Carolan (1670-1738) was Ireland's first great composer. Blinded at age 18, Carolan turned to playing the harp and and later composition. His gift for composition was evident immediately. Carolan created a unique style, combining folk music and adding elements of contemporary composers, including Vivaldi and Corelli. Carolan's melodies survive as single line melodies. This program presents his finest compositions in J.J. Sheridan's arrangements for concert piano. Grainne Yeats in her excellent biography ends with this tribute: "Carolan bridged the gap between continental music on the one hand, and the Gaelic harp and folk music on the other."
Tracks
1. The Seas are Deep
2. Blind Mary
3. Lament for Owen Roe O'NeiII
4. Seperation of Soul and Body
5. Colonel John Irwin
6. Lord Galway's Lamentation
7. Elisabeth McDermott Roe
8. Sheebeg and Sheemore
9. The Clergy's Lamentation
10. Lament for Terrance McDonough
11. Fanny Power
12. Squire Wood's Lamentation on the Refusal of his halfpence
13. Carolan's Dream
14. Carolan's "Concerto"
15. Carolan's Farewell to Music
Credits
Recorded in Tiki Recording Studios, Glen Cove, NY (March 2002)
Recording Engineer: Fred Guarino
Producer: J.J. Sheridan
Piano: Yamaha C-S Conservatory Grand
Photo of Artist: James J. Kreigsman
Copyright: J.J. Sheridan 2002
Label: Trigon