Aedin Gormley presents tonight’s concert features a rich array of orchestral works by Grammy Award-winning composer Bill Whelan including two Eurovision-related pieces: Riverdance and Timedance. The thrilling Riverdance Symphonic Suite sets aside the traditional instruments and songs of the stage show in favour of the majestic sweep of a full symphony orchestra. Timedance, composed by Whelan and Donal Lunny for the 1981 Eurovision interval act is performed by orchestra and traditional soloists. Whelan’s melodic, rhythmic and dramatic music is a melting pot of influences. The beautiful intertwining of classical violin and traditional fiddle in Inishlacken evokes the richness of life and nature on a deserted island off the Galway coast; a new version for orchestra of Stolen Hearts featuring Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta has its world premiere. Hymn to a Broken Marriage, which will be performed by Whelan, movingly sets to music Paul Durcan’s elegiac poem to lost love. Flying Blind, a song written by Whelan in the early part of his career and also performed by the composer. Timedance highlights Whelan’s uniquely vivid ability to treat classical and traditional music as equals.
National Symphony Orchestra
Gavin Maloney, conductor
Julieanne Forrest, violin
Athena Tergis, fiddle
Séamus Ó Flatharta, whistle, harp, voice and bodhrán
Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta, fiddle and voice
Bill Whelan, piano
Tara Howley, uilleann pipes
Aedín Gormley, presenter
RTÉ lyric fm, Thursday 26th December, 7pm-9pm
