Three Islands (1993)
includes Sounding the Hearthstone (movement 3 of Three Islands-can be performed separately)
Duration - 5 min.
Program Note
Three Islands is a work that draws upon my experience as a performer and lover of traditional Irish music. The first movement is inspired by the ornamented vocal style common to "old style" or "sean nos" singing. The second takes tone from the music and mood of traditional "pub sessions"--hearing and playing this virtuostic, driving music in an atmosphere of occasionally raucous geniality has been one of the great joys of my life, and inspired me to compose three tunes in traditional styles and set them for large orchestra. The three tunes (a jig and two reels) are strung together without pause in the manner of a session, and bear the following titles: Drop of Whisky, The Thatched Pub, and Shut Up for Once in Your Life.
includes Sounding the Hearthstone (movement 3 of Three Islands-can be performed separately)
Duration - 5 min.
Program Note
Three Islands is a work that draws upon my experience as a performer and lover of traditional Irish music. The first movement is inspired by the ornamented vocal style common to "old style" or "sean nos" singing. The second takes tone from the music and mood of traditional "pub sessions"--hearing and playing this virtuostic, driving music in an atmosphere of occasionally raucous geniality has been one of the great joys of my life, and inspired me to compose three tunes in traditional styles and set them for large orchestra. The three tunes (a jig and two reels) are strung together without pause in the manner of a session, and bear the following titles: Drop of Whisky, The Thatched Pub, and Shut Up for Once in Your Life.