In Ireland, the instrument almost always missing from a traditional Irish music ‘session’ is the piano, but Irish music is increasingly championed and performed by classical pianists.
Join Andrea Blain for Irish Music and the Piano: From Shebeen to Stage, an entertaining and ear-warming special filled with Irish folk and traditional tunes transcribed, arranged and composed for piano.
The special explores the history of the piano in Irish music and features recordings by Barry Douglas, Ruth McGinley and David Quigley, among others. We’ll also hear from Irish pianists and composers discussing why Irish music is essential to them and important to classical music in a broader context.
Playlist
Traditional (arr. Barry Douglas): Molly Malone
De Dannan: McLaughlin’s Flings
Traditional (arr. John Field): Go to the Devil and Shake Yourself
Ann Heymann: Temple Hill Reel/Temple Hill Jigs
Michael McHale: Molly on the Shore
Traditional (arr. Philip Hammond): Miniatures and Modulations: II. The Beardless Boy
Traditional (arr. Neil Martin): The Girl with the Brown Hair
Traditional (arr. Michele Esposito): Two Irish Melodies, Op. 39: I. Avenging and Bright
Benjamin Britten (arr. Iain Burnside): Avenging and Bright
Traditional (arr. Sydney Smith): The Last Rose of Summer
Traditional (arr. Barry Douglas): The Star of County Down
Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin: The Wexford Carol
Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin: Oiche Nollag
Jean Trimble: The Gartan Mother’s Lullaby
Jean Trimble: Buttermilk Point
Traditional (arr. Neil Martin): Danny Boy
Traditional (arr. Barry Douglas): Barry’s Reels
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