O'Regan: Acallam na Senorach (Tales of the Elders)

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The singing itself is as spot on as you would expect from the National Chamber Choir of Ireland, who were responsible for commissioning the work in the first place. Aside from the sheer quality... — bbc.co.uk, 21th October 2011 More…

Release Date: 3rd Oct 2011
Catalogue No: HMU807486
Label: Harmonia Mundi
Length: 62 minutes

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O'Regan: Acallam na Senorach

Work length1:02:30

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I. Prologue to Part One

Track length3:23

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II. The Fian

Track length7:52

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III. The Spring

Track length3:39

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IV. Recitative I

Track length1:09

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V. Cas Corach

Track length2:33

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VI. Guitar Interlude I

Track length3:37

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VII. The Sid

Track length5:13

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VIII. Recitative II

Track length0:32

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IX. Niam

Track length4:35

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X. Bodhran Interlude: Colloquy

Track length2:57

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XI. Prologue to Part Two

Track length0:43

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XII. Guitar Interlude II

Track length3:57

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XIII. Recitative III

Track length0:41

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XIV. Cael and Crede

Track length5:20

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XV. Cailte

Track length2:05

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XVI. Guitar Interlude III

Track length1:13

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XVII. Patrick

Track length5:55

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XVIII. Recitative IV

Track length1:09

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XIX. Fian Paternoster

Track length2:30

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XX. Epilogue

Track length3:27

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Acallam na Senórach, a major new choral work by Tarik O’Regan, received its world premiere in Dublin on November 25th 2010 in a performance by the National Chamber Choir of Ireland under its Artistic Director Paul Hillier.

Sung in English and Middle Irish, the piece takes its title from the c12th century narrative (‘Tales of the Elders’) and follows the story of two legendary heroes, Caílte and Oisín, and their travels around Ireland with Saint Patrick. Over the course of 60 minutes O’Regan’s piece presents six stories from the text using a choir of 16 voices punctuated by interludes from a solo guitar played by Stewart French. Two singers are also called upon to play the traditional Irish frame drum, the bodhráin. Commissioned by the National Chamber Choir, Acallam na Senórach builds on O’Regan’s earlier The Spring, which was premiered at the Cork International Choral Festival in 2008.

Reviews

21th October 2011

The singing itself is as spot on as you would expect from the National Chamber Choir of Ireland, who were responsible for commissioning the work in the first place. Aside from the sheer quality of their overall sound, there's a lovely sense of intimacy and wonder-filled narration. All told, this is yet another beautiful Tarik O'Regan disc

March 2012

O'Regan reveals that he is capable of sustaining interest over what amounts to a 60-minute time frame...a highly effective and, in places, inspired piece, beautifully delivered by Paul Hillier and the National Chamber Choir of Ireland, and cleanly captured in this fine Harmonia Mundi recording.

February 2012

Simply said, O'Regan's work is an achievement. One does not feel that one is hearing a musical performance. Instead, it is as if the listener is party to a legend's retelling...This is also an achievement for Paul Hillier and the National Chamber Choir of Ireland...Frankly, choral singing this intense and controlled is rather intimidating, if not downright scary...This requires work from the listener, but is it worth the effort.

14th October 2011

Led by Paul Hillier, the National Chamber Choir of Ireland negotiates dissonance and harmony with drama and nobility, never endangering the piece through pomposity – a delicate balance aided by the sparseness of the guitar.

The Irish Times 7th October 2011

O’Regan’s 62-minute work is in a slow-moving, pared-back style, mock-ancient you might say, but not ethnically specific. It’s almost ritualistically purposeful in its concentration on narrative, as it shifts between monodic delivery and a range of soft choral dissonances...The performance under Paul Hillier is first-rate

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O'Regan: Acallam na Senorach (Tales of the Elders)

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