Sonamus - Music of Ireland: Irish & Baroque Music meet: underscores the freespiritedness of this musical form

Music of Ireland: Irish & Baroque Music meet
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Artist: Sonamus
Genre: Traditional
Label: Independent Release

Courtiers and matchmakers at the crossroads where Irish and baroque music meet, Cormac Breatnach on whistles joins cellist Annette Cleary, harpsichordist Rachel Factor and baroque guitarist Eamon Sweeney for a highly discerning turn around the parlour.

The instrument mix works exceedingly well in reimagining pieces from Turlough O'Carolan, but it's in their vigorous interpretation of Ruairí Dall Ó Catháin's Tabhair Dom Do Lámh, and in Breatnach's own pair of reels, Rain Drops and First of May, that this quartet truly celebrates the essence of their chosen name, Sonamus ("I play therefore I am").

Their inclusion of Nobuo Uematsu's video game composition, Prologue from Final Fantasy IV: Celtic Moon, underscores the freespiritedness of this musical form.

Siobhán Long

Siobhán Long

Siobhán Long, a contributor to The Irish Times, writes about traditional music and the wider arts