Celtic Spirit

This CD is one of the CDs that makes me glad that we are now in a digital age as opposed to vinyl, for if this had been a vinyl album, it would have been worn flat by now. I play it constantly, in my office, in the car, at home. It has a great, spiritually-uplifting tone that is both inspiring and meditative. It has a great combination of voices, in solos and ensembles, that bring real life and dimension to the music. As the commentator for the introductory essay to these pieces says, the Celts seem to have a real feeling for the presence of the divine, and that can often be heard in these melodies, harmonies, and voices. There is beauty and there is grace in these pieces.

–Music–
Many of the pieces, such as the Ubi Caritas, the Kyrie Eleison, and the Puer Natus are very traditional liturgical lyrics, but here they are given a unique Celtic flavour that is both modern and original as well as traditional and ancient. Other songs such as Be Thou My Vision are more traditional hymn texts, here given arrangement and performance that would seem both refreshing and reassuring. Many of the songs, when they are not utilising Latin for the ancient liturgical pieces, use traditional Gaelic texts, that give an air of mystery and contemplative distance to the songs, such as Seacht Sauãilcena Maighdine Muire (Seven Joys of the Virgin Mary), Noelenn Brehed, Mo Ghrá Thú (I Love Thee), and Bí, a Íosa, Im Chroí-Se (Jesus Be in My Heart).

–Performers–
All of the performers here are stunning. Connie Dover and Aiofe Ni Fhearraigh, both women of astonishing voice. Aine Minogue combines talent on the harp with high-calibre singing, and her double talents shine with distinctive Celtic flair. Sheena Wellington and Theresa Schroeder-Sheker lend their incredible talents to finish the disc with strength and beauty that reach emotional climaxes befitting a spiritual ecstasy.

William Jackson displays both vocal and instrumental talents, which include performances the bamboo flute and the gut-strung clarsach (Scottish harp) for a stunning performance on Salve Splendour, and William Coulter brings his acoutic guitar talents to an old Irish hymn.

Also performing on this disc are three groups: the Anjali Quartet, the Groupe Vocal Jef Le Penven, and the Baltimore Consort, each renowned and experienced in the musical styles that incorporate ancient and Celtic influences.

–Liner Notes–
The CD comes with a small booklet that includes biographical information on each of the major performers and groups, as well as listings of back-up and harmony contributors. There is an introductory essay on the Celtic Spirit by Fr. John O’Donohue. Like many Narada collections, these pieces have appeared on previous Narada recordings, and details for finding the prior releases can be found here. This is an excellent guide, for many of these pieces inspired me to want more, both of the artists and of the types of music.

–Overall Impressions–
I cannot speak too highly of this collection. While not the most intricate or sophisticated of music, it is nonetheless a favourite of mine for both background and forefront listening. It makes a good companion for prayer and contemplative times, for waking or falling asleep, for reading or for working.