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Book Woodland Spark for a groupmuse

Folk Music: Ireland, Québec, Scandinavia


Details

Woodland Spark full profile / Folk Duo or Trio / 2 musicians

Other players: Guitar/Irish Bouzouki: Gary Dolinsky (or John Hicks / Steve Lacey); Accordion/Piano: Somer O'Brien; Violin/Viola: Madeleine Downs


Full program notes

Waltz around the world with us as we play a wide selection of folk music, including traditional Celtic, French, Québécois, Scandinavian, Cape Breton, & more, from slow waltzes to fast reels.

Ireland & Scotland:

Tabhair Dom Do Lámh (Give Me Your Hand) - by Ruaidhrí Dall Ó Catháin, c. 1603

Paddy Ryan's Dream Reel / The Lads of Laois - Irish Bouzouki (Gary Dolinsky), Accordion (Somer O'Brien), Violin (Madeleine Downs)

The Road to Lisdoonvarna / The Musical Priest - Guitar (Gary Dolinsky), Accordion (Somer O'Brien), Violin (Madeleine Downs)

Lilting Banshee / Dan O’Keefe’s Slide - Guitar (Gary Dolinsky), Accordion (Somer O'Brien), Violin (Madeleine Downs)

The Mist-Covered Mountain / Out on the Ocean - Viola (Madeleine Downs) & Irish Bouzouki (Gary Dolinsky)

Neil Gow’s Lament for the Death of His Second Wife - Trad. Scottish - Viola & Guitar

---Intermission---

France, Québec, & Cape Breton:

Où sont donc ces amants? - La musique traditionnelle française

The Leg of the Duck - Cape Breton

La Belle Catherine / Reel du Montréal - Québécois

Sweden, Finland, Denmark:

A selection of waltzes, polskas, & schottisches

Encore:

Health to the Ladies / Haste to the Wedding / The Rose in the Heather


Historical context

The musical selections we are presenting to you in this program are based on thousands of years of musical tradition which has been passed down mostly by ear. As a tune is shared, it transforms into something new. You will hear the transformation of these tunes as they are shared from one place to the next. Observe the various ornamentations in each culture's musical tradition. These nuances, like inflections in your voice, convey meaning & depth of emotion.


Audio from this ensemble

Paddy Ryan's Dream Reel / The Lads of Laois - Irish Bouzouki (Gary Dolinsky), Accordion (Somer O'Brien), Violin (Madeleine Downs)

Wedding Waltz: Tabhair Dom Do Lámh (Give Me Your Hand) - by Ruaidhrí Dall Ó Catháin, c. 1603 - Guitar (John Hicks), Accordion (Somer O'Brien), Violin (Madeleine Downs)

Out on the Ocean - Viola (Madeleine Downs) & Irish Bouzouki (Gary Dolinsky)

Où sont donc ces amants? - La musique traditionnelle française - Accordion (Somer O'Brien), Guitar (John Hicks), Violin (Madeleine Downs)

Health to the Ladies / Haste to the Wedding / The Rose in the Heather - Violin (Madeleine Downs), Accordion (Somer O'Brien), Guitar (John Hicks)

Méditation from Thaïs by Jules Massenet - Piano (Somer O'Brien), Violin (Madeleine Downs)


Other programs from this ensemble