Album Notes

What would happen if the beautiful music of O’Carolan, 18th-century composer/harper, were electronically orchestrated? The result is O! Carolan! – lovingly executed but with modern effects…it’s O’Carolan as never heard before. Turlough O’Carolan is probably the most beloved composer in all of Irish history. His music is played by musicians all over the world. Blinded by illness as a young man, O’Carolan traveled through Ireland playing his harp, mainly for the wealthy patrons who generously provided for him, but also in taverns, which he often frequented. O’Carolan was a spirited man who loved whiskey, which he deemed his “medicine”, vital to his health and well-being. He composed songs in honor of his patrons, which are called “planxties”. These songs bear the names of the people for whom they were written, such as “Mabel Kelly” and “Squire Parsons”. Other O’Carolan songs were written for more personal reasons, such as “Ode to Whiskey”. Arranging and orchestrating these fifteen tunes (which have come down to us as melody lines only) was a wonderful exercise in “painting with sound”, so varied are their moods and tempos. They all have one thing in common, however…each is a unique, lovely melody.