« Classes – September 2009

CEOL na nOG – New CD Review

October 25th, 2009

It’s fantastic to hear such a large group of children and young adults learning their traditional music at the feet of a great player who champions them and allows them to have their time in the spotlight even if they’re just learning. It’s great listening, many of the tunes easy to play along with….

I got this CD yesterday and first off, I love the liner notes! Photos of all Brid’s classes, including a charming pic of a little 7-year-old whistle player with his recording headphones on playing away on his Generation whistle. She gives a brief history of the tunes and lists the kids playing on each track (including one where she identifies the whistles being played so you can compare the tonal differences).

She’s got a nice statement at the front: “Ceol na n”og is a recording which captures the atmosphere of young musicians playing together. It is a true sample of various levels encountered in a typical year’s classes and gives a chance to musicians of all levels to perform without having to be the best in the class. It includes students with a wide range of musical ability and demonstrates the progression from beginner tin whistle players with simplicity to advanced musicians playing complex arrangements in a Grupa Cheoil.”

And that’s what this CD is – tunes played by beginners through advanced students and it’s delightful. From the tracks of the 25 (!) 6-7 year-old players tootling their way through “Down by the Sally Gardens” and a sweet little air “Nil na La” without ornamentation, to the very lovely “Down the Hill” played by the advanced Grupa Cheoil students, the CD is really nice. There are ceili band tunes with concertinas, accordians, drums, flutes, whistles, the whole bit…flute sets, advanced whistle group sets…. There’s no flashiness–it’s just very good and true ITM.

It’s fantastic to hear such a large group of children and young adults learning their traditional music at the feet of a great player who champions them and allows them to have their time in the spotlight even if they’re just learning. It’s great listening, many of the tunes easy to play along with (put me right in my place–I won’t say where!).

At the moment, Brid’s website is experiencing some difficulties, and Custy’s just got several boxes of the CD but hasn’t put it on their website yet. You can contact Brid directly (bridodonohue@yahoo.com) about ordering it.

Susan
Posted on Chiff and Fipple
June 2009

6 Responses to “CEOL na nOG – New CD Review”

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ceolnanog

Ceol na nOg is a recording which features pupils from Brid O Donohue’s Music School, Miltown Malbay – tin whistle groups, flute groups, ceili bands and grupa cheoil. The pupils are aged between 6 and 21 and the music on this recording gives a true sample of various levels encountered in a typical year’s classes.

Tobar-an-Duchais

The music on the CD was selected for it’s associations with the people Bríd learned from, in that sense it’s a very personal recording, here she plays the tunes learned when growing up. It is often said Irish traditional music is the music of people and places. If ever there was a CD that reflected that, this is the one.

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Bríd’s Seisiún Dates
  • New CD – Ceol na nOg -featuring students from Brid O Donohue Music School was launched in Bellbridge Hotel, Spanish Point on Sunday 31st May 2009 by Muiris O Rochain, Director of Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy. The CD features young Clare musicians – tin whistle groups, flute groups, Grupa Cheoil and Ceili Bands playing a vriety of tunes in a lovely relaxed tempo in keeping with the West Clare style. Available from Custys Music Shop, Ennis and from this site shortly
    Music Classes on Wed, Thurs, Fri nights in Brid’s newly furbished Music Room in Glendine, Miltown Malbay. Registration forms for next year available now. Ceili Band & Grupa Cheoil Classes Wednesday nights
  • PRIVATE CLASSES on Flute& Tin Whistle, Concertina, Keyboard, Piano – traditional or classical, also in Glendine, Miltown Malbay. TUES, THURS & SATURDAY For further information: Phone 065-7084473 / 087-2267113.
  • NEW: Private Classes also available on Concertina, Piano & Keyboard in Glendine. Limited number of places available.
    Every Saturday night at Lynch’s Bar, Miltown Malbay – known as “Friel’s”. Right beside the Bank of Ireland. Session begins at 10.15 p.m.
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