SKU: CN.R10004

A slow introduction gives way to the chirpy theme which is developed, inverted, and accents displaced across the bar line to give a 3/2 feel against the written meter. Restlessness leads to a tranquillo presented by the flute and clarinet, weaving a flowing counterpoint around the melody until the original slow introduction returns. A triumphant recapitulation of the main theme brings this wonderful piece to an end.

Originally composed for Brass Band in 1934 Comedy Overture is, despite its name, a serious piece of writing. The term Overture does not imply that there is anything else to follow; it is used in the 19th century sense of Concert Overture (like Mendelssohn's Fingal's Cave - in other words, a miniature Tone Poem). The 1930's was a period of Ireland's mature writing - yielding the Piano Concerto (1930), the Legend for piano and orchestra (1933), and the choral work These Things Shall Be (1936-1937). We are fortunate therefore to have both Comedy Overture and A Downland Suite (1932) written for band medium at this time. As with Maritime Overture (written in 1944 for military band) Ireland approaches his material symphonically. The opening three notes state immediately the two seminal intervals of a semitone and a third. These are brooding and dark in Bb minor. It is these intervals which make up much of the thematic content of Comedy, sometimes appearing in inverted form, and sometimes in major forms as well. The concept that some musical intervals are consonant , some dissonant, and some perfect is perhaps useful in understanding the nature of the tension and resolution of this work. The third is inherently unstable, and by bar 4, the interval is expanded to a fourth - with an ascending sem-quaver triplet - and then expanded to a fifth. The instability of the third pushes it towards a perfect resolution in the fourth or the fifth. The slow introduction is built entirely around these intervals in Bb minor and leads through an oboe cadenza, to an Allegro moderato brillante in Bb major. Once again, the semi-tone (inverted) and a third (major) comprise the main, chirpy, theme-inspired by a London bus-conductor's cry of Piccadilly. (Much of the material in Comedy was re-conceived by Ireland for orchestra and published two years later under the title A London Overture.) The expansion of the interval of a third through a fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh now takes place quickly before our very ears at the outset of this quicker section. Immediately the theme is developed, inverted, and accents displaced across the bar line to give a 3/2 feel against the written meter. But this restlessness leads to a tranquillo built around an arpeggio figure and presented by flute and clarinet. Ireland weaves his flowing counterpoint around this melody until the original slow introduction returns leading to a stretto effect as the rising bass motifs become more urgent, requesting a resolution of the tension of that original semitone and minor third. Yet resolution is withheld at this point as the music becomes almost becalmed in a further, unrelated tranquillo section marked pianissimo. It is almost as if another side of Ireland's nature is briefly allowed to shine through the stern counterpoint and disciplined structure. This leads to virtually a full recapitulation of the chirpy brilliante, with small additional touches of counterpoint, followed by the first tranquillo section-this time in the tonic of Bb major. But the instability of the third re-asserts itself, this time demanding a resolution. And a triumphant resolution it receives, for it finally becomes fully fledged and reiterates the octave in a closing vivace. The opening tension has at last resolved itself into the most perfect interval of all.

SKU: HL.14011558

Traditional Irish songs and dances performed by some of Ireland's most eminent musicians. Traditional songs from Sean Ac Donncha and John Reilly and dance music from John Kelly, Michael Tubridy, Paddy O'Brien, Sean Keane and Pat Mitchell. All the singers and musicians on this CD represent different strands in the tapestry of traditional in Ireland. They come different backgrounds and different areas but they are united here by the spirit of the music that is captured on this CD, music that is alive and thriving in a true folk tradition.

SKU: GI.G-1072

GIA Publications, Inc. is pleased to offer Easter in Ireland, our first recording by Steve Warner and The Newman Vocare Ensemble, music ministers at the Notre Dame-Newman Centre for Faith and Reason in Dublin, Ireland. This album offers a taste of the rich fabric of sounds found in Ireland. It is a merging of traditions: four-part choral singing, Uilleann pipes, low whistle, harp and harmonium, strings, organ and guitar. All of the selections are directed toward the joy of Easter. The available octavos and downloads include choral anthems, hymns, refrain songs, psalmody and liturgical items for use in any parish. This recording also honors one of the newest and most celebrated saints, St. John Henry Cardinal Newman, who commissioned the building of University Church, home to the Newman Vocare Ensemble and site of this recording.

SKU: ST.H384

ISBN 9790220208805.

John Ireland's 'Cavatina' for violin and piano, which was probably composed in 1904, also exists in a slightly expanded version for organ and shows the composer's mastery of the popular salon style of the time. Unavailable for many years, it is now reissued in a new edition that includes a scholarly note by Geoffrey Bush.

SKU: ST.Y305

ISBN 9790220223884.

Winn er of the 1909 Cobbett Chamber Music Competition, John Ireland's Sonata No. 1 in D minor was among his first significant instrumental works. It was published in 1911 and revised in 1917. Martin Outram has arranged the violin part of the work for viola, to be used with the piano score of the sonata in its original form for violin and piano, ref. 1981, in which a full account of the piece may be found.

SKU: CN.S11011

Cast your self into a storm at sea with this fantastic piece from John Ireland. Turbulent rhythmic motives launch the work to blend into a more lyrical melody contrasting the opening. Don't be fooled though; the first rhythmic motive provides the underlay, a reminder that the calm surface of the sea is only masking the swirling water underneath!

SKU: PL.PPMO2134M

A versatile hymn-anthem, this piece is developed from the famous John Ireland tune. All seven verses are used with varying voicings, with organ and a cappella. The final verse brings a descant into play, providing a fitting conclusion to a lovely arrangement.

SKU: HL.14022332

ISBN 9780946005550.

A wonderful collection of some of Ireland's finest music. Consisting of twenty songs plus thirty-seven dance tunes and airs, this is a veritable treasure trove of Old Irish Songs. The melody line is suitable for, and can be played on, most melody instruments but will be of most benefit to Traditional Irish Musicians who will revel in the wealth of traditional folk music. Track listing includes The Spanish Lady, In Dublin's fair City, Sally Gardens and Wellington's Advance.

Ernest J Moeran (1894-1950) was an English composer, who followed the tradition of R. Vaughan Williams and John Ireland by collecting, preserving, and using many folk songs, mainly from Norfolk, Suffolk, and Ireland

SKU: HL.14025762

ISBN 9780946005628. 6.0x8.25x0.14 inches. English.

The second book in this Duncle's Collection provides another 50 songs which can be addded to your repertoire. The book contains the words and music for some of Ireland's popular songs and ballads. Illustrated with period photographs from the 1920's and 1930's from the Father Brown collection. Play them all with only six chords!

SKU: HL.14032852

ISBN 9780711927827. UPC: 888680053086. 7.0x10.0x0.014 inches.

A short work for unaccompanied SSAATBB choir using a poem based on Serefis' Eonia (The Jasmin). The text uses both English and Greek. This work was commissioned for the 27th Seminar on Contemporary Choral Music, University College, Cork, Ireland, May 1990.

SKU: HL.14015562

ISBN 9781846097225. 8.25x11.75x0.182 inches. English.

The music Herbert Howells has tended to be unjustly neglected but his post-war output of orchestral and chamber works is currently enjoying a period of re-eveluation. This Herbert Howells society edition of six pieces brings to light yet another aspect of his work, namely his Piano music. Even though he was an accomplished pianist himself, music for Piano did not figure highly in his output. This volume contains some charming character pieces in the form of six Sarum Sketches, two slow dances based on tunes from John Playford's The Dancing Master, an extrovert piece based on a folk tune, a minuet composed as a birthday present for John Ireland, a brief vignette and an exquisite miniature. Of the six pieces in this volume, three appear in print for the first time.

SKU: HL.48009908

UPC: 073999655568. 9.0x12.0x0.009 inches.

Archive Edition in F.

SKU: TM.13943SC

SKU: HL.48009915

UPC: 073999157796. 5.5x7.5x0.111 inches.

HPS 883.