Anuna

The music of the ancient Celts has been all but lost except for a handful of strange and beautiful fragments. Anuna was founded by the young Dublin composer Michael McGlynn in 1987 to explore and redefine this music, which has been a significant part of Ireland's rich and turbulent history. The haunting sound-world created by Anœna breaks down the barriers between the spiritual and the sacred, the real and the unreal, putting them very firmly at the front of the musical renaissance now coming from the Celtic lands.

The name Anuna derives from the ancient Irish name "An Uaithne," which collectively describes the three ancient types of Celtic music, Suantrai (lullaby), Geantrai (happy song) and Goltrai (lament). Ê In 1993, after many years of performance all over Ireland, refining their show, developing their sound and generally exploring their musical heritage [they even took set-dancing lessons!], they decided to record their first album. Anuna, their self-titled debut of 1993, drew them to the attention of the Irish public, and is a fair representation of the stage that they had reached by that time.Ê It contains a very broad mix of material, from ancient to contemporary Irish music, and features Michael's original songs and arrangements predominantly.ÊÊ

In 1994 they recorded and performed a short choral piece entitled Cloudsong - which was the opening song of the now historic Riverdance interval piece for the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest.Ê The single of the piece spent 18 weeks at number one in the Irish Charts, and went top 10 in the UK Charts.ÊSubsequently they recorded more tracks for the album Riverdance the Show, and appeared in the in the Show itself from its premiere to September 1996. Ê During this time, they recorded a number of major albums, including two albums entitled Omnis [one for Ireland only, the other released world-wide], and the beautiful Invocation album.Ê For their efforts they won a prestigious National Entertainment Award.Ê They travelled all over Europe seperately from Riverdance, leaving a small group with the Show.

Discography

Sensation

O Ignis Spiritus Brezairola Sensation Silver River Shining Water Lux Aeterna The Road Of Passage Whispers Of Paradise Maid In The Moor Tenebrae IV O Maria

Vocal group Anúna's first release of new material in six years is a major leap forward from their last few offerings, throwing into high relief the progress that founder and group leader Michael McGlynn has made as a composer. The opening track '0 Ignis Spiritus' brings a text by medieval mystic Hildegarde von Bingen to glorious life, with Ken Edge's saxophone matching the reedy timbre of soloist Miriam Blennerhassett's wonderfully rich voice. The dreamy title track (McGlynn's setting of the Rimbaud poem of that name) is another highlight, with the gravel-voiced Gilles Servat speaking the verses over the ensemble's multi-layered harmonies. Bringing the CD to an electrifying close is the shimmering, densely textured '0 Maria', which deserves to become part of the standard repertoire for choral groups everywhere.

Deep Dead Blue

Deep Dead Blue - Elvis Costello / Bill Frisell Nobilis Humilis - Medieval Irish Dicant Nunc - Medieval Irish Blackthorn - Michael McGlynn Kyire - Michael McGlynn There Is No Rose - Medieval English The Green Laurel - Michael McGlynn Sliabh Geal Gcua - Traditional The Fisher King - John McGlynn Quem Quertitis - Medieval Irish The Sea - Michael McGlynn When I Was In My Prime - Traditional

Sublime Dublin composer Michael McGlynn and his talented mixed ensemble Anuna bring us their 6th haunting CD, based on the music of the ancient Celts. 13 songs, beginning with the title tune, written by Bill Frisell and Elvis Costello, McGlynn-arranged Irish and English Medieval masterpieces "Nobilis Humilis," "Dicant Nunc," "Ther Is No Ros" and "Quem Queritis," originals written by Michael, "Blackthorn," "Kyrie," "The Green Laurel," "Island," "The Fisher King" and "The Sea," and traditional songs like "Sliabh Geal Gcua," also McGlynn-arranged. The liner notes are gorgeous and stunning photos of the group in Irish landscapes follows the tone and spirit of the music exactly. Another amazing, unforgettable recording by Anuna.

Listen to "Deep Dead Blue" in RealAudio.

Essential Anuna

The Blue Bird Cormacus Scripsit The Wild Song Siuil, a Ruin Wind on Sea The Rising of the Sun The Flower of maherally Dulaman Kyrie Deep Dead Blue Blackthorn Behind the Closen Eye August Christus Resurgens Victimae Pie Jesu Hymn to the Virgin Cynara War Is Over

Since their first, self-titled debut CD in 1993, Irish mixed-voice choral ensemble Anuna has created an additional four excellent CDs in their quest to explore their Celtic heritage and develop and discover their own sound. Their connection with Riverdance, which began with the recording of their hit "Cloudsong," exposed millions to the group's music. "Essential" is right there with the group's program, haunting, surreal soundscapes. There are 19 songs, many of our favorites are pieces written by group founder Michael McGlynn, the moody "The Wild Song," "Wind on Sea," the soaring "Kyrie," "Blackthorn," "Victimae," the sublime "Pie Jesu" and "Hymn to the Virgin," the dance tune "The Rising of the Sun" and the fast-moving a cappella "Dulaman." Where the piece is Medieval Irish like the powerful "Cristus Resurgens," or traditional Irish like "The Flower of Maherally" and "Siuil, a Ruin," McGlynn arranges it, where the words are not his, as in "Behind the Closed Eye" and "August," whose lyrics were written by Francis Ledwidge, McGlynn writes the music. The result is a lovely, seamless collection whose beauty touches us once again on so many levels. We expected no less! Some light accompaniment.

Christmas Songs

Away In A Manger The Wexford Carol The First Day Riu Riu Silent Night The Coventry Carol Codhlaim Go Suan Christmas Day is Come Winter, Fire and Snow Pie Jesu Hymn to the Virgin O Holy Night There Is No Rose

Mixed-voice Irish folk ensemble Anuna, founded in 1987 by Dublin composer Michael McGlynn to explore the music of the ancient Celts, have recorded a self-titled debut album--and after recording a short choral piece called Cloudsong used by Riverdance, toured with the dance troupe and recorded the album "Riverdance the Show." Most of the 13 cuts on "Christmas Songs" were arranged by Michael McGlynn, and "Codhlaim Go Suan," the lovely "Christmas Day Is Come," "Pie Jesu" and "Hymn to the Virgin" were written by McGlynn. "Winter, Fire and Snow" is also a group original. The haunting, surreal harmonies of Anuna lend a surprising flavor to carols like "Away in a Manger," "The Wexford Carol," "Riu Riu," "Silent Night" and "The Coventry Carol." Unique and startlingly beautiful. Some light accompaniment.

Listen to "Away In A Manger" in RealAudio.

Cynara

Igitur Sevus An Olche Riu Riu Alleluia When the War is Over I Dreamt that I Dwelt in Marble Halls Armarque cum Sculo Miserere Cynara Buachaill on Elme Fuigfidh Mise'n Baile Seo Victimae Christus 2000 Pie Jesu Ocean

Talented mixed-voice Irish vocal group Anuna focuses on a haunting blend of ancient Celtic music and contemporary Irish songs. Heavily featured is the original music of founder Michael McGlynn. 15 songs (the complete lyrics are in the lovely liner notes), "Igitur Servus," "Alleluia," "When the War Is Over," "I Dreamt that I Dwelt in Marble Halls, " the title tune, "Victimae," "Pie Jesu" and "Ocean" are particularly wonderful. "Cynara" is another winning collection from Ireland's finest.

7309 CD $15.98

Omnis

Salve Rex Gloriae Ardaigh Cuan Beati Quorum Via The Flower of Maherally Geantrai Maria Matrem Codail a Linbh Gaudete Agnus Dei Ave Generosa O Viridissima Dulaman A Stor Mo Chroi Roisin Dubh The Mermaid St. Nicholas Diwanit Bugale Tenebrae I Tenebrae II Tenebrae III

Recorded twice, once in 1995 and again in 1996 for international release, Omnis is the best of these two recordings, and contains 3 bonus tracks, one of which ("A Stor mo Chroi") has never been released before. Anuna founder Michael McGlynn calls Omnis a defining CD of some of the group's most memorable moments, from the energetic "Dulaman," now a choral standard throughout the world, to the mystical and exotic "O Viridissima." All three of the lovely "Tenebrae" responsories are now included on one recording. 20 songs, remastered and re-edited, a "best-of" which includes "The Flower of Maherally," "Maria Matrem," "Ave Generosa," "Roisin Dubh" and "The Mermaid." This is spirited, haunting, memorable music from Ireland's finest mixed chorus. The full color liner notes has some beautiful pictures of the group and all the lyrics.

7317 CD $15.98

Anuna

Media Vita The First Day Invocation The Raid Sanctus Pater Noster Faigh An Gleas Suantrai Bean Phaidin/ An Poc Ar Buile Cormacus Scripsit Silent, O Moyle Jersusalem Fionnghuala Crist And St. Marie The Blue Bird Si Do Mhaimeo I

This album is a re-recorded version of the original 1993 album. Its release marked the 15th anniversary of the highly acclaimed group, Anuna. This program features a wide variety of Celtic music from folk songs to newly composed music based on ancient texts, by director Michael McGlynn. It includes five additional tracks, three of which can be heard in the award-winning film "The Work of Angels." This recording certainly represents the best of the Celtic tradition.

9335 CD $15.98

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