Read Ireland Book News
Issue 100
Irish Music
Companion to Irish Traditional Music edited by Fintan Vallely (Hardback; 25.00 IRP / 35.00 USD) [Add To Basket]
Traditional music and song is Ireland's universally recognised cultural expression. Since the late 1960s the traditional music scene has changed radically. Its commercial life has mushroomed bringing with it a huge growth in music tourism. Energetic debate on traditionalism in Irish music and a larger profile within the academic system has created a wealth of new approaches to playing and an expansion of academic research interests. This book attempts to draw much of this new work together. The editor, himself an accomplished musician and music writer, has harnessed the expertise of scores of musicians and commentators who between them present a remarkably comprehensive picture of the field. This book is not just the ideal reference for the interested enthusiast and session player, it also provides a unique resource for every library, school and home with an interest in the distinctive rituals, qualities and history of Irish traditional music and song.
Blooming Meadows: The World of Irish Traditional Musicians by Fintan Vallely and Charlie Piggott (Paperback; 13.99 IEP / 18.90 USD) [Add To Basket]
This is a book of outstandingly warm, quirky and personality-laden pictures by the photographer Nutan. In sympathy with the typical slow fuse of his work, the moods and themes of these images are developed in the texts by Fintan Vallely and Charlie Piggot into personalities, lives, community and nation through biography, interview, comment, poetry and song. The voices are those of musicians and singers who have helped shape the revival of traditional music since the 1950s, along with today's generation of talented, articulate and highly educated players. The overview is from the inside, but also looks back over the shoulder at the musician and music-lover placed, anachronistically, in an information-age society, among pop music market forces and technology, yet performing unaccompanied song from before the age of steam, 18th century social dance, acoustic melody-making - a music that may be older than the pianoforte or as young as the microchip. Nostalgia, nationalism, romanticism, virtuosity and communitas here meet art and quiet confidence in cultural meaning.
Love and Music: The Glorious History of the Dublin Grand Opera Society (1941-1998) by Gus Smith (Paperback; 10.99 IRP / 16.50 USD) [Add To Basket]
This book is a record of the achievements, past and present, of the Dublin Grand Opera Society. It is timely, it fills a music gap, and its statistics compiled by Paddy Brennan, are an important adjunct to the text. And at a glance, it is undoubtedly a fascinating pictorial record dating back as it does to the very first performance. It will revive interest in the early decades of the society's history, as when it presented renowned German companies at the Gaiety as well as festivals of Italian Opera. There were times of financial crisis in the 60s and 70s which the society bravely survived. But the struggle to present opera in Ireland did not become any easier and even today Opera Ireland has to work tremendously hard to secure opera's place in the musical sphere in Ireland. As this book amply shows, the society has a proud past and is guaranteed a prominent place in any musical gallery.
Ireland Best Slow Airs compiled by Waltons Music Store (Paperback; 7.95 IEP / 10.75 USD) [Add To Basket]
110 of Ireland's most beautiful and haunting melodies including Laments, Airs from old Gaelic songs, and O'Carolan compositions - suitable for all melody instruments.
Ireland's Best Tin Whistle Tunes with Guitar Chords compiled by Claire McKenna (Paperback; 7.95 IEP / 10.75 USD) [Add To Basket]
110 of the best tunes in any tin whistle player's repertoire, specially chosen and arranged by one of Ireland's top players and teachers. Graded for difficulty for everyone from beginner to advanced player.
Ireland's Best Polkas and Slides with Guitar Chords compiled by Waltons Music Store (Paperback; 7.95 IEP / 10.75 USD) [Add To Basket]
110 all-time favourites. These polkas and slides will enhance your repertoire, liven up any session and are surprisingly easy to play. Suitable for all melody instruments.
Ireland's Best Fiddle Tunes with Guitar Chords compiled by Paul McNevin (Paperback; 7.95 IEP / 10.75 USD) [Add To Basket]
110 of the best tunes in any fiddler's repetoire. Includes a special feature on rolls, cuts, triplets and other ornamentation.
Ireland's Best Session Tunes with Guitar Chords compiled by Waltons Music Store (Paperback; 7.95 IEP / 10.75 USD) [Add To Basket]
110 of the most popular and enduring session tunes in Ireland and around the world. Join in wherever you go with this session-friendly collections of jigs, reels, hornpipes, polkas, slides, airs and more. Suitable for all melody instruments.
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