CHRISTMAS CHEER

25/12/2013 by borderroamer

Bugle Babes at Brown Thomas Photo: © Michael Fisher

Wishing all my readers a Happy Christmas, wherever you are and whoever you are with. No better way to bring in the Christmas cheer than with the Bugle Babes who I mentioned yesterday. They have been entertaining shoppers all week in the elegant Brown Thomas store on Grafton Street in Dublin. Their music could be heard ‘a cappella’ (which I am told means without instrumental accompaniment) so you could appreciated the range in their voices.

Christmas Lights in Grafton Street, Dublin Photo: © Michael Fisher

Meanwhile news came through on Christmas Eve of two developments in stories I have featured this year. On twitter I mentioned the campaign to save from demolition Cregagh Presbyterian Church in East Belfast. It has been confirmed by the campaigners that the building constructed c.1928 is now a listed one. It already has an entry in the NI Historic Buildings database.

Cregagh Presbyterian Church Photo: facebook

Then almost simultaneously I received an email about an article I wrote in September on Samuel Munro from Lurgan, a former TUC President who had also served as President of Belfast Trades Council. It was based on a talk given in Belfast by the labour historian Francis Devine. Someone in England (originally from Bangor County Down) who says he is a great grandson of Munro had found the blog and is now seeking to make a connection with Munro’s granddaughter, who lives in England and who was thought to be the last known relative of the former Northern Whig typesetter. She had presented to the ICTU a bell originating from Belfast Trades Council, which has now been placed on a wall at the John Hewitt bar along with a plaque. So at least one success story from the 27,400 views my daily blogs have had! Happy Christmas one and all!

Plaque for Samuel Munro at John Hewitt Bar Photo: © Michael Fisher

CHRISTMAS SONGS

24/12/2013 by borderroamer

St Salvator’s Glaslough Baptismal Font Photo: © Michael Fisher

St Salvator’s Church of Ireland church beside Castle Leslie in Glaslough, County Monaghan, was the wonderful setting for ‘A Winter’s Tale’ performed on Monday night (23rd December) by Donagh Community Choir under the musical direction of Eithne McCord from Aughnacloy. The church built by Bishop John Leslie in 1763 and improved in 1890-96 became famous when it was the setting in June 2002 for the marriage (since dissolved) of the former Beatle Paul McCartney and Linda Mills.

Organist Glenn Moore Photo: © Michael Fisher

The organist was beautifully played by Glenn Moore, Director of Music at St Macartin’s Cathedral in Enniskillen. Glenn is a native of Kesh and has been playing the organ and leading the choir at Ardess Parish Church, his home parish, for over 18 years. He has played the organ for various services and has given recitals at numerous churches throughout the Diocese of Clogher and beyond. He has been organist for special services that have taken place in Clogher Cathedral. Whilst a pupil at Portora in Enniskillen he was taught the organ by former Cathedral Organist, Billy McBride.

Harpist Liz McGuinness Photo: © Michael Fisher

I was delighted to see that the harpist accompanying the organ so well for some of the songs was Liz McGuinness from Milltown, Monaghan who reminded me that she had organised arts events at the Castle many years ago, with David Norris among the guests. Liz was at the opening of the Garage theatre earlier this month. In September I met her at Connolly station in Dublin when she was one of the invited guests and interviewees during the RTÉ Big Music Week. We took the train to Newbridge and then Carlow, serenaded en route by the Bugle Babes who have been singing during the past week for Christmas shoppers at the Brown Thomas store in Grafton Street, Dublin.

Precentor Noel Regan Photo: © Michael Fisher

One of the guests at the service introduced by the Reverend Betty Thompson was the Precentor of St Macartan’s Cathedral in Clogher, Canon Noel Regan. A native of Sligo, he has become a member and good supporter of the William Carleton Society and summer school. In October he preached at the harvest service at Errigal Truagh church, where Eithne McCord and the Donagh choir performed along with Blackwater Voice in a carol service three Sundays ago.

Service at St Salvator’s Glaslough Photo: © Michael Fisher

Samantha Leslie read a Christmas poem ‘It started with a Baby’. Afterwards she opened the Castle to guests who were treated to mulled wine and mince pies. The conservatory and surrounding area had been beautifully lit and the Christmas lights also looked well. Donagh Community Choir received a grant from the reconciliation fund of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. I think the late Brian Earls, a Carletonian and a former diplomat who died in July, would have been very pleased to hear that. A few years ago after the William Carleton summer school I brought him to St Salvator’s church and Diane who happened to be there at the time kindly showed us inside. That was the only other occasion I have been in this church with which the Leslie family has been associated for 250 years.

St Salvator’s Glaslough Photo: © Michael Fisher

FLEADH IN DERRY

02/12/2013 by borderroamer

Knockmore Céilí Band at the Fleadh Photo: BBC (NI)

Knockmore Céilí Band Co. Fermanagh (2nd place) at the Fleadh Photo: BBC (NI)

One of the most successful events during London/Derry’s year as UK City of Culture, apart from tonight’s announcement of the Turner Prize winner, was the staging of the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, the first time this great traditional music competition was held in Northern Ireland. It was marked by a documentary on BBC Northern Ireland called ‘Fleadh‘, that was filmed, produced and directed by Sean McGuire with Paul McGuigan as Executive Producer.

McKenna Family, Clogher at Somers café Fardross Photo: © Michael Fisher

One of the groups appearing on the programme was the McKenna family from Clogher, who were competing in various categories. Peter plays the uilleann pipes. They are all very talented musicians, led by their father Martin. They performed during the William Carleton summer school at Somers café and caravan park at Fardross, Clogher, where they were joined by two pipers Frank Gildernew and Jim Brady as well as the Ulster-Scots Juvenile Pipe Band, who hold their practice sessions there.

Peter Mc Kenna (uilleann pipes) & his sister (guitar) at Somers café Fardross Photo: © Michael Fisher

The BBC reported how every year hundreds of thousands of people gather for this festival of Irish traditional music, and for one week in August, Derry reverberated to the sound of fiddles, tin whistles and banjos. Organisers estimate that more than 400,000 people were at the fleadh over the course of the week, while 20,000 musicians were performing, whether on the big stages or in the streets and the city’s walls.

While the casual observer might have got swept up in the revelry, there were higher stakes involved for many of the musicians who had spent months and years fixated on winning a coveted all-Ireland title. It has been described as the Olympics of traditional music, and a new documentary goes behind the scenes to capture the pressure and tension at play when all those hours of practice come down to one nerve-wracking performance.

The programme charts the progress of a number of performers as they compete against hundreds of other hopefuls, first at county level, then at provincial level, in the hope of winning through to the main event. One of them is accordion player Justin Quinn, who likened the experience to “running down a hill faster than you feel comfortable”.

Justin grew up in Leeds but his parents are from Pomeroy in County Tyrone and Irish traditional music played a big part in his upbringing. While he won an all-Ireland title at the age of 14, he gave up the instrument when he went to university and did not return to it for another 20 years.

“The competition itself is awful – having everything relying on five minutes, whether you forget the tune halfway through,” he says.

That pressure is echoed by accordion player Christopher Maguire, who says that by the time musicians have gone through provincial heats to reach the fleadh, everyone is of a high standard.

“You’re in this massive room, and everyone’s watching you they’re like policemen for music, and you just have to perform your best. You have to know the song, you have to put feeling into the tune and imagine you’re singing it, you’re actually in the accordion,” he says.

While the world of traditional music is a close-knit community, friendships are put aside for a few hours while musicians do battle in front of the adjudicators. The programme’s producer and director, Sean McGuire, says the fleadh is about more than winning medals. Although there’s a competitive spirit, he says what he found in this world of music was friendship and camaraderie, along with a lot of joy.

MONAGHAN MUSIC

01/12/2013 by borderroamer

Christmas lights switched on in Monaghan with Rico’s Groove Photo: © Gregory Murphy

Plenty of seasonal music in County Monaghan today. The Christmas tree lights were switched on outside the Courthouse in Monaghan after three local school choirs performed for the crowd. I was watching the Gaelscoil group with particular interest as a niece was in it. Nice to hear carols as Gaeilge.

Gloria

Earlier in Castleblayney, Gloria from Tydavnet performed ‘One Day at a Time’ along with Jingle Bells and Christmas songs for the residents of St Mary’s in Castleblayney. She sang a few numbers solo, and also encouraged some of the audience o join in. Then the Monaghan Gospel Choir under the musical direction of David Drum combined with her to bring some seasonal joy to the elderly.

TYRONE INVENTORS

29/11/2013 by borderroamer

Christy & Martin Mallon, Killeeshil Photo: © Kevin McSorley

A South Tyrone filmmaker has helped to uncover five treasure troves of the area’s hidden history, including the story of how the achievements of two Killeeshil inventors changed the global quarry industry. Over the summer, cameraman Kevin McSorley captured the activities of history buffs from Caledon Regeneration Partnership, Donaghmore Historical Society, Killeeshil and Clonaneese Historical Society, South Lough Neagh Historical Society and the William Carleton Society.

His film was funded by the European Union’s PEACE III programme for PEACE and reconciliation through the ‘Shared History, Shared Future’ project, administered by Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council. It reveals the extraordinary story of how two men from Killeeshil, John Finlay and Sylvester Mallon, changed the course of the quarry engineering industry with inventions that are now used around the world. It also features a celebration of the legacy of literary genius William Carleton, born in the Clogher Valley, as well as the history of the Ulster Canal, and South Tyrone’s industrial heritage.

The film shows footage of Finlay and Mallon’s relatives describing the humble origins of both men, and how they were constantly dreaming up new inventions and enterprises on the backs of cigarette packets. The pair, who had great respect for each other, went on to set up factories and companies that employed large numbers of local people, and created the foundations for Tyrone’s world-class engineering industry. Nowadays, approximately 68 percent of the world’s mobile crushing machines is manufactured in the county.

The project was launched at Ranfurly House in February by the Mayor of Dungannon and South Tyrone. Dr Brian Lambkin, Director of The Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh, was the guest speaker. In June all five groups were represented at Caledon Courthouse during a visit by the Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall to see the work of Caledon Regeneration Partnership. The five historical societies shared with each other an awareness of their own fields of expertise and used it towards a shared understanding of our history and future.

Caledon Regeneration Partnership, formed in 1996, is a not for profit company whose make-up was and continues to be four community representatives, four Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Councillors and three representatives from Caledon Estates Company. In 1997 the Partnership obtained funding from PEACE 1 for the development of a Comprehensive Development Plan for Caledon village. The group has helped to regenerate much of the village including many historically important at-risk buildings, such as Mill Street cottages and the beam engine house at the former mill. Caledon Regeneration Partnership is actively involved in community building initiatives.

Donaghmore Historical Society was formed by a small group of people in 1983 and since then its numbers have swollen. It refurbished what was the National School and is now the Heritage Centre. It built a replica of the Donaghmore High Cross, put Donaghmore Living History on the worldwide web and has, in conjunction with the Heritage Centre, amassed the largest archive of townlands research material in Ireland. Plans are being made to digitize the entire archive and bring townlands research into the 21st century at the touch of a button by providing access to data, using the DHS website.

Killeeshil and Clonaneese Historical Society encourages its membership to take ownership, research, interpret and be informed of the shared history of the area. It is rich in industrial heritage, including the development of machinery for quarry engineering.

South Lough Neagh Historical Society is based on the south shore of Lough Neagh. It is an academically- based society, drawing support from the wider community in their continued search to examine and record the historical and cultural footprint of this diverse area. The project examining the past, present and future of the old Ulster Canal has proved to be both illuminating and beneficial to all the members who participated and their findings are another marker in the history of this old waterway.

The William Carleton Society was re-formed in 2011 and is a cross-community, cross-border group dedicated to promoting the works of the well-known Irish author from County Tyrone and his life and times. It seeks to use his stories of faction-fighting and sectarianism in 19th century Ireland as the basis for talks and discussions on history and literature and the lessons for modern-day society. Since 1992 it has run an annual summer school in the Clogher area, with leading authors, poets and historians among the contributors.

All five groups have contributed to a 100-page booklet, which was published on November at a reception at Ranfurly House in Dungannon on November 19th. The publication printed by Ecclesville Printing Services in Fintona was also funded through the PEACE III project and copies costing £5 will be available from the individual societies from next week. Arcella Films produced the hour-long DVD. For more information and any permission to publish the video pictures contact Kevin McSorley in Cabragh, Dungannon or email the societies. Copyright 2013.

The above article is based on a news release I wrote for the Shared History, Shared Future project and was published in the Tyrone Times on November 22nd.

BUGLE BABES IN ANTRIM

28/11/2013 by borderroamer

Bugle Babes Photo: © Michael Fisher

The beautiful Bugle Babes brought some Christmas sparkle to Antrim last night with a lively rendition of ‘Jingle Bells’ and other festive music included in their mainly 1940s repertoire. The tea dance in the Old Courthouse finished around 10:15pm and the trio were on the road again back to Dublin at 4am today in order to make an appearance on TV3’s Ireland:AM show at 7am (repeated on 3e at 11am).

Old Courthouse Antrim Photo: © Michael Fisher

The former courthouse building has been restored to convert it into a small theatre on the first floor. The ground floor contains a tourist information office and a convenient café. The dressing room area downstairs used to contain the cells!

Derby Browne, founder of the Bugle Babes Photo: © Michael Fisher

Derby Browne is from Dublin and founded the Bugle Babes in 2007. Much of their show is based on the songs of the Andrews Sisters, whose songs entertained the GIs during the Second World War. She can be contacted through her website.

Eileen Coyle of The Bugle Babes Photo: © Michael Fisher

Soprano Eileen Coyle told me she comes from Finea in County Cavan. An area I associate with the late John Wilson TD, a former Tanaiste who was also my Latin teacher in school and who came from nearby Mullahoran. She has sung with the Lassus Scholars in Westminster Cathedral. The choral group from Dublin performs Renaissance music, very different from the sounds heard in Antrim last night!

Lou Van Laake of the Bugle Babes Photo: © Michael Fisher

The third member of the ‘Babes’ is Lou Van Laake, originally from the Netherlands, who is now a well-known name on the Dublin cabaret circuit (aka Truly DiVine) and whose latest solo show is a tribute to Marlene Dietrich and was performed in Dublin recently. She says she hopes to repeat it in April.

The Bugle Babes Photo: © Michael Fisher

The Bugles Babes’ appearance at the tea dance was part of the 4 Corners music festival run by Antrim Borough Council and presented by MADD Music. It runs until Monday 2nd December.

Christmas sparkle with the Bugle Babes in Antrim Photo: © Michael Fisher

Eileen Coyle of the Bugle Babes Photo: © Michael Fisher

Antrim Tea Dance Photo: © Michael Fisher

BUGLE BABES

27/11/2013 by borderroamer

The Bugle Babes entertaining on the RTÉ Big Music Week train Photo: RTÉ ten

The Bugle Babes have headed northwards for a SOLD OUT! event tonight in Antrim town. The tea dance at the Old Courthouse building in the Market Square features some of their Andrews Sisters vintage routine. My first experience of their delightful entertainment was during the RTÉ Big Music Week train journey from Dublin’s Connolly station to Carlow at the end of September.

The programme describes what patrons can look forward to:-

“As part of the 4 Corners Music Festival, the tea dance will go out for the evening in the company of the very beautiful and very talented Bugle Babes! Singing the Billboard hits from the Golden eras of Swing and Jive, the Bugle Babes are a 1940’s style close-harmony trio inspired by the Andrews Sisters and the Hollywood stars of stage and screen. Whether adorned in military costume, or soft satin dresses, the Bugle Babes style is pure Vintage from their Victory Rolls all the way down to the toes of their seamed stockings. Formed by Derby Browne in 2007, the Bugle Babes have performed all over Ireland from the National Concert Hall to the Cork Opera House and their television appearances include the Late Late Show and Ryan Tubridy. Put on your dancing shoes, add a touch of vintage glamour and join these gorgeous girls as they perform their repertoire of classic songs and contemporary pop hits with a twist all served up with lots of scintillating glamour, fun and nostalgia……”

The Bugle Babes in vintage mode Photo: © Michael Fisher

Eileen, Derby & Lou: The Bugle Babes in vintage mode in Carlow Photo: © Michael Fisher

Eileen Coyle from Co. Cavan began singing at an early age and studied at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. She has been a member of several choirs including the Maynooth Choral Society, the Limerick Choral Union, and the Lassus Scholars. As a core member of the Lassus Scholars Eileen performs regularly all over Ireland, also travelling to Europe, and deputising for the Westminster Cathedral Choir in London. Her favourite composers include William Byrd and Orlando de Lassus. As a member of the jazz harmony group The Bugle Babes, Eileen has enjoyed much success, featuring on The Late Late Show, TV3’s Ireland AM, and on Sean Moncrieff’s show on Newstalk 106.

Truly DiVine (Lou) has been singing her heart away since she discovered her voice at age 13. In her teens, this Dutch lady covered tunes from the musicals and the latest hits in pop and rock. She moved into the world of jazz and blues when she arrived in Dublin in 2004. She played gigs with a variety of musicians for five years and since 2009 has broadened her world to include the burlesque and cabaret scene. She is part of the Bugle Babes, a 40s- style harmony group based on the Andrew Sisters; she regularly performs with rockabilly band The Pavement Kings; her latest show is a Marlene Dietrich tribute, ‘Dietrich’s Angels’.

When not performing with the Bugle Babes, Derby Browne specialises in French café music: the life of Edith Piaf (Pigalle), Jacques Brel, Yves Montand, Charles Aznavour and the style of guinguette and bal-musette.

The Bugle Babes in Carlow Photo: © Michael Fisher

BARN DANCE FOR LIONS

26/10/2013 by borderroamer

Barn Dance Photo: © Michael Fisher

Most Lions Clubs have a ‘tail twister’, an officer and the ‘pep master’ of each Club. His duties (I think I should add the alternative ‘her’ as well) are “to instil enthusiasm and good fellowship in the meetings, and to keep harmony. (S)He is empowered to impose, as well as collect, fines from the members. There shall be no appeal from the tail twister’s decision in imposing a fine, and he (she) may not be fined except by the unanimous vote of the members present.

Meet the new ‘tail twister’ of Monaghan Lions Club…! Photo: © Michael Fisher

Well it looks like Monaghan Lions Club who have several female members just got themselves a new tail twister, judging by the fellow I saw standing beside the stage at their barn dance tonight (Saturday 26th October) in Tyholland Community Centre. I think he said his name was Wayne….

Burger and a hat all for €7: good value in a good cause! Photo: © Michael Fisher

Anyway he was one of the many all dressed up in cowboy/cowgirl attire. The appropriate dress for the night appeared to be jeans and checked shirts for the men and a variety of outfits for the ladies, most of whom brought along hats. The Club was also selling a variety of hats for €4 for those who wanted to enter into the spirit of the occasion.

The Outlaws Photo: © Michael Fisher

It was an enjoyable evening dancing to The Outlaws as Monaghan Lions Club revived their barn dance fundraiser in aid of Club charities. The Tyholland Centre doubled up as the barn and a marquee was erected alongside to serve as the ‘saloon’, serving drinks and burgers. Plenty of prizes in the raffle as well, including a number of pairs of tickets for forthcoming Ireland rugby international matches.

Aidan Clerkin at Monaghan Lions Club Barn Dance Photo: © Michael Fisher

On arrival, Aidan Clerkin was on stage, providing a variety of country and Irish music and doing his best to encourage them to dance, but it was a while before the crowd found their dancing shoes. The main act was The Outlaws from Castleblayney in County Monaghan. They comprise of Sean Hughes, JJ McCourt, Brian Walsh and brothers Craig and Adam Davis, who are both grand nephews of Irish country legend Big Tom McBride.

Michael Fisher, Belfast Lions Club supporting the Monaghan Lions event Photo: © Evelyn Fisher

Plus brilliant fiddle playing by Diane Traynor. who brings her own style and glamour to the band and her fiddle playing skills and sweet singing range enhance the band’s appeal. It’s just a pity that when they came to perform a ‘Siege of Ennis’ dance that there were only a few takers.

Monaghan Lions Club carry out projects throughout the year in service of the community. At Christmas, they hold an annual food appeal in conjunction with St Vincent de Paul. The Club meets on the first and third Monday of every month at 9pm at the Westenra Arms Hotel in The Diamond, Monaghan.

Monaghan Lions Club Poster

DERVISH

25/10/2013 by borderroamer

Just back from a great concert by Dervish at the Elmwood Hall in Belfast as part of the 51st Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queens. One of the highlights came at the end as part of the encore demanded by the audience. Cathy Jordan sang unaccompanied the ballad Slieve Gallion Brae, a song about a townland in the Sperrin mountains in County Derry, near Ballinascreen. Great that she was able to do so with the audience maintaining complete silence as they listened to her voice.

It is a song that Tommy Makem revived and one that Cathy reproduces on her website.

SLIEVE GALLION BRAE (traditional)

My name is Joe McGarvey as you might understand

I come from Derryginnet and I own a farm of land

But the rents were getting higher and I could no longer pay

So farewell unto ye bonny, bonny Slieve Gallion Brae

As I went a walking one morning in May

To view your fair valleys and your mountains so gay

I was thinking of your flowers all going to decay

That grow around ye bonny, bonny Slieve Gallion Brae

Oft times have I wandered with my dog and my gun

And travelled your valleys for joy and for fun

But those days are gone forever and I can no longer stray

So farewell unto ye bonny, bonny Slieve Gallion Brae

Oft times in the evenings and the sun in the west

I roamed hand in hand with the one I love best

But the dreams of youth have vanished and I am far away

So farewell unto ye bonny, bonny Slieve Gallion Brae

It is not the want of employment at home

That caused the poor sons of old Ireland to roam

But the rents are getting higher and I can no longer pay

So farewell unto ye bonny, bonny Slieve Gallion Brae

Farewell to old Erin, a land that is so green

To the Parish of Lissen and the cross of Ballinascreen

May good fortune shine upon you when I am far away

And a long farewell to bonny, bonny Slieve Gallion Brae

BFQ: PHILIP HAMMOND BLACKBIRD

22/10/2013 by borderroamer

Cathal Breslin, Philip Hammond and Sabrina Hu Photo: © Michael Fisher

The imaginary musical trill of the blackbird filled the Harty Room on Sunday. Not the bird itself but rather the beautiful sound of the flute played so well by Sabrina Hu, accompanied by her husband Cathal Breslin on piano. They were performing a new work by Belfast composer Philip Hammond, entitled ‘An Londubh’, the Irish word for blackbird. It was part of the 51st Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s and was staged by the Belfast Music Society as part of their Northern Lights Mini-Fest.

Cathal Breslin, Professor of Piano, University of Memphis Photo: © Michael Fisher

Cathal had the score stored on his iPad and with wifi technology was able to flick effortlessly from one page to the next. There was an interesting contrast with a similarly named piece (‘Le Merle Noir’ by Messiaen) which Cathal and Sabrina played first. Philip Hammond explained that his composition was intended as a companion piece for the 20thC Frenchman’s work. But his starting point was very different.

Philip Hammond explains his new work: An Londubh Photo: © Michael Fisher

Hammond told the audience that rather than the real birdsong, he created a fanciful play between flute and piano , with what he thought a blackbird might sing, if it was so inclined. The main origin of the piece is an ancient Irish air, arranged by Edward Bunting. It was published in the third volume of such arrangements in 1840. He has included it note for note at the end of the work, a fusion that works well. The other influencing factor for Hammond comes in the shape of a poem, written by Dr William Drennan, the United Irishman and friend of Bunting. Drennan wrote it in the grounds of Cabin Hill, near Stormont, when his sister lived there. There is a spot in the grounds called the Drennan stone where he is believed to have rested to seek inspiration. An interesting connection is that Hammond is a former music teacher at Cabin Hill, when it was the preparatory department for Campbell College.

Cathal Breslin is from Derry and met Sabrina when they were both studying in Manchester. They are now married, with two young children, and are based in the United States, where Cathal is Professor of Piano at the University of Memphis, Tennessee. They have performed together internationally since 2001 in many of the world’s main concert halls. Five years ago they founded and developed the Walled City Music Festival in Derry.

Belfast Music Society Northern Lights Mini-Fest

Their performance began with A Sonata for Flute and Piano by Poulenc, followed by a piece for flute by Ravel: a habanera, which is a Cuban dance. Cathal who said he was always interested in the correlation between words and music then played another Ravel piece for solo piano, Ondine. There was a lovely mixture here of loud and soft notes. Sabrina played a piece composed by Debussy for solo flute, Syrinx, named after a nymph of Greek mythology. Then came the two blackbird pieces, with particular interest in the composition by Philip Hammond.

Cathal Breslin & Sabrina Hu Photo: © Michael Fisher

The second part of the programme consisted of a Brazilian traditional piece arranged for flute and piano: Choros. The duo followed with Piazzolla’s History of the Tango, a fascinating journey through time as they described it. The Argentine composer brought the tango from the world of the night club to the concert hall. The first part was set in a bordello around 1900, followed by a café in 1935 when the mood becomes more romantic and atmospheric, for listening rather than dancing. Part three is a 1960s night club when the tango merges with Bossa nova. The fourth and final part is set in the modern day concert hall setting of classical music. A very enjoyable performance.

Michael Fisher's News

Category Archives: MUSIC

CHRISTMAS CHEER

CHRISTMAS SONGS

FLEADH IN DERRY

MONAGHAN MUSIC

TYRONE INVENTORS

BUGLE BABES IN ANTRIM

BUGLE BABES

BARN DANCE FOR LIONS

DERVISH

BFQ: PHILIP HAMMOND BLACKBIRD

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