Barry Douglas (piano)
* Eimear McGeown (Irish Flute)
rec. Curtis Auditorium and Recording Suite, CIT Cork School of Music, Bishopstown, Cork, Ireland, 28-29 September 2013
CHANDOS CHAN10821 [60:00]
On this CD we hear the brilliant Barry Douglas in light-hearted mood,
presenting us with his own arrangements of 18 pieces of Irish folk music,
ranging from melodies first heard in the 1700s right through to some more
modern compositions. Several of the earlier pieces were collected by Edward
Bunting, Francis O’Neill, James Hardiman and Jane Ross. Three tracks
feature the Irish flute, played by Eimear McGeown, and she includes two
of her own pieces, Inis and The Mushroom Tree. As you
would expect, we are also treated to some well-known Irish pot-boilers
such as Danny Boy and Carrickfergus but that is only
to be expected – and welcomed – on a disc called Celtic
Reflections.
Barry Douglas was brought up in Northern Ireland and just like another
of his famous compatriots, James Galway, it is evident that he has a real
love of his country’s musical roots and traditions. His arrangements
are full of variety, generally understated in their approach and played
with taste and refinement. Much of the music is indeed reflective in nature.
The reflective mood never becomes dull or glutinous and there are some
more felicitous, fleet-footed moments that change the atmosphere of the
disc and move the music along. The addition of the flute further enhances
the beauty of the music and adds much welcomed variety to the proceedings.
The opening track, She moved through the Fair, with its initial
presentation of the tune on unaccompanied flute sets the atmosphere for
the majority of the music that follows. This is soulful, yearning and
mystic and I enjoyed it very much. The Coolin has a Bach-like
opening with immaculate ornamentation followed by a clever set of variations.
The piece reminds me of one of Gottschalk’s creations. Open
the Door Softly is a short spirited jig and Planxty Dillon
is a super romp of a piece, dashed off with great élan. The Last Rose
of Summer is a great tune, immortalised for many by its use in the
classic Ealing Studios comedy film The Lady Killers. One of my
personal favourites is The Mushroom Tree showcasing as it does
the talents of Eimear McGeown in a very special two minute span of Celtic
magic. The disc finishes with a moving but not too sugary rendition of
Danny Boy and very good it is too.
Barry Douglas is to be applauded for these arrangements and his direct
communication skills. This music means a lot to him and that shows in
his performances. In terms of a pigeon hole I suppose this is in the category
of 'Easy Listening' but so be it. The playing, recording
(clear and immediate) and musical content are all first class. It was
probably a refreshing change for Mr Douglas to move out of the highbrow
arena for a short while and record something different from his usual
fare. This is a lovely disc.
John Whitmore
Previous review: Simon
Thompson
Track listing
1 She Moved through the Fair* [4:10 ]
2 The Coolin (An Chúilfhionn) [7:17]
3 Down by the Salley Gardens [3:30]
4 The Cliffs of Dooneen [2:54]
5 Inis* [7:11]
6 Open the Door Softly (Oscail an Doras Go Ciúin) [0:45]
7 The Pleasant Rocks (Na Creaga Áille) [2:36]
8 The Mushroom Tree* [2:07]
9 The Kid on the Mountain* [1:19]
10 My Lagan Love [4:21]
11 Carrickfergus [4:58]
12 Planxty Dillon (Plancstaí Uí Dhiolúin) [1:15]
13 The Lamentation of Eoin O’Neill (Caoineadh Eoin Uí Néill) [2:20]
14 An Irish Lullaby (Suantraí Gaelach) [3:15]
15 The Last Rose of Summer [2:53]
16 Home Away from Home [4:10]
17 The Raggle Taggle Gypsy [1:04]
18 Danny Boy [3:10]
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