Traditions and Transformations in Irish Music
History
Since 1920, the island of Ireland has been divided politically between the Republic of Ireland (Ireland) and Northern Ireland
Republic of Ireland: independent nation, capital Dublin
Northern Ireland: province of the U.K., capital is Belfast
accounts for 15 percent of the island's landmass
long history of suffering, often violent struggle between the province's Irish Protestant (about 45%) and Irish Catholic (about 42%) populations
troubled history includes the persecution of Catholics, terrorism, and conflicts between the Republic of Ireland and Britain over political control of the region
hosts a predominantly Catholic population, approximately 93% identify as Catholic
each county is known for its distinct cultural traditions and characters
achieved full independence in 1949
before that (1922-1949) it was known as the Irish Free State
foundation of the Irish Free State came as a result of the Irish potato famine, which began in the 1840s
the famine led to the deaths of 1.5 million Irish people
the massive attempts at emigration reduced the population from 8 million to 3.5 million
Irish Diaspora led to development of Irish nationalism
Radio Eireann was a national radio station founded in 1926 that was established to preserve Irish traditional culture
ushered in a period of massive urbanization and reliance on manufacturing rather than agriculture as the main basis of economy
these changes led to both the increased prosperity and fears of culture loss
these factors led to the Irish music revival of the 1960s
the internationalization of the Irish music session was the most significant development out of this
a session is an informal gathering where musicians join together to play Irish tunes amidst socializing
Neo-Traditional Irish Music and the Irish Music Revival
Irish Traditional Music
sean nos, or "old way" songs, sung in Irish Gaelic
slow instrumental melodies called airs
often performed in free rhythm
songs sung in English
the musical tradition of the Irish harp
the harp is the national symbol of Ireland
Instrumental dance tunes and melodies
regarded by Irish music connoisseurs as the heart of Irish traditional music
involves a style of singing that may feature either elaborate or subtle forms of melodic ornamentation, distinctive rhythmic phrasing, and deeply felt emotional expression
ceili
an informal social gathering that is usually held at a neighborhood pub or dance hall and involves dancing
session
musicians playing different instruments come together to perform the older traditional tunes and newer ones modeled after them, not typically accompanying dancing
more common that ceilis today
Traditional Instruments
uilleann pipes
Irish harp
tinwhistle
Irish wooden flute
fiddle
an instrument with a rather soft dynamic range and a more delicate, refined timbre (as compared to Scottish bagpipes)
originally brought to Ireland from other lands
originally brought to Ireland from other lands
developed from imported continental European prototypes into a uniquely Irish instrument
national symbol of Ireland
includes 3 drone pipes
they play the same tonic pitch in every octave range
sounded is produced when air is forced through the pipes by a bellows
Ireland experienced profound socioeconomic changes during the 1950s
Ireland prospered during the 1960s as a result of these changes
Recordings of traditional musicians from counties all over Ireland were made in record numbers and distributed nationwide
local, regional, and national music competitions emerged and inspired the Irish youth to return to their "roots" by taking up traditional Irish instruments
As the music was revived, it was transformed
Approaches to the playing of dance tunes and medleys became more formal and structured
Traditional instruments were still played but began to be accompanied by guitars and other chordal instruments
Sean O'Riada
he was the key to the transformation of Irish music
he organized a group of leading Irish traditional musicians into the ensemble Ceoltoiri Cuanlann
together with these musicians he invented a fresh, neo-traditional Irish musical idiom
they employed use of uilleann pipes, 2 fiddles, tinwhistle, button box accordian, and bodhran (a hand-held frame drum)
a new group emerged out of Ceoltoiri Cuanlann called The Chieftains
they are arguably the most widely influential and internationally renowned Irish traditional music group ever
Post-Traditional
Eileen Ivers
her work spans a broad and eclectic range of musical styles from neo-traditional to Irish-rock to Irish-Latin and Irish-African fusion
the Irish traditional core that defines her diverse musical approach is always present
she grew up in a Irish-American community where Irish music, dancing, social, and cultural values were a basic part of life
the environmental where she grew up was also a diversely multicultural one
this affected the formation of her musical and cultural identity
she grew up listening to salsa, rock, jazz, Broadway showtunes, and classical music
Irish diaspora resulted in the establishment of many Irish communities internationally
The members of these communities preserved and creatively developed Irish music
These new musical styles began to influence musician in the homeland, this created a cross-pollination and trans-national musical culture began