Bill Whelan: Orchestral Works

Conway, Zoe; Wood, Helena; RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra; Brophy, David; Galway, James

Bill Whelan created the music for Riverdance in 1994 as an interval act for RTE’s hosting of the Eurovision. It was one of those seismic moments of culture in which his use of traditional idioms in a completely new composition reframed the way Irish music and dance was viewed not just by people outside of the country but also at home. The show has been seen by over 24 million people in more than 450 venues worldwide. This premiere recording of three of Whelan’s major compositions, performed by the RTE National Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Brophy, again reveals his ability to create original and accessible new music, this time in an orchestral context. He wrote Linen and Lace, a flute concerto for Sir James Galway, as a work that musically unites their respective home cities of Belfasst and Limerick. Inishlacken is a concerto for two violins, named after a deserted island off the Galway coast. The third work on the album is Whelan’s symphonic setting of the music of Riverdance. He has kept the rhythmic energy and melodies that make the work so popular, but presents all the themes in a way that is playable by the majestic sweep of a full orchestra.

Price: $19.98