PAST
NEWS
April
2006; Have been recording with the RTENSO with a view to releasing
a CD in early June prior to the concert at the National Concert
Hall, Dublin on June 23rd. Large orchestra and choir with Celtic
soloists including Liam O'Flynn, Rita Connolly, Seamus Begley,
Edelmiro Fernandez, Nollaig Casey,pipers led by Dave Rickard,
plus percussion by Noel Eccles. A lot of work but worthwhile;
exciting results; mixing now with Brian Masterson.
Am also working on new songs, with lyics adapted from poems
by the late Cuivin O'Cinneide. First trial performance with
band including Rita Connolly, Ailis ni Cinneide, Seamus Begley
and Tim Eady in Dingle, May 12th. More later.
Recent performances include 'The Deer's Cry' and 3 pieces from
the Special Olympics 2003 World Games Suite in Symphony Hall,
Chicago; 'The Winters End' and 'The Gale' [from The Brendan
Voyage Suite] with Liam O'Flynn in Budapest.
Jan. 2005; Dear Visitors, Apart from the big concert on St. Patrick's Day in Chicago, 2004 turned out to be a year of small compositions for special events [see last newsletter]. This allowed time to deal with long - overdue items such as developing the sheet music facility on this website. It also provided leisure time to develop our garden in Co. Kerry, and it was while there that Rita and I were given our last commission/gig of the year.
This
was for Phillip King's TV production, 'Christmas from Dingle',
broadcast on RTE on Christmas Day. We ended up one evening being
filmed in our sitting room, performing a carol I'd composed
many years ago and rearranged for the occasion, 'The Joys of
Mary'. Rita and I sang together, playing piano and guitar in
the excellent company of the West Ocean String Quartet with
our friend and neighbour, Seamus Begley, on box [button accordion].
We enjoy the privilege of rubbing shoulders with the musical
community in Dingle, and particularly enjoyed being rounded
up by Seamus the following morning to sing a capella with 'The
Three Fivers' in Foxy Johns. This was filmed by Phillip for
the same TV programme, as also was a performance of 'The Brendan
Theme' with Liam O'Flynn. The setting for the latter was the
chapel of the Dysart in Dingle town. It was beautifully played
by Liam and the West Ocean String Quartet supported by Rod McVeigh
on the chapel organ. It was a great way to end the year, Now,
looking ahead into 2005,
Best
wishes, Shaun Davey
2004; Shaun's
current news;
Spent the early part of the year preparing for the St Patrick's
Day concert at Chicago Symphony Hall, fundraiser for Old St.
Pats Cathedral. Revised 'Granuaile' orchestrations and, as requested,
added narrator and choir. Actress Bonnie Hunt narrated, Rita
sang. Performed the Dublin Special Olympics Suite for the second
half; Noel Eccles percussion section brought the house down.
We liked Chicago and working there was fun.
Next prepared
'Fanfare for a Longship' to accompany the launching of a replica
Viking galley at Roskilde's Ship Museum in september. The fanfare
was performed by the local youth brass band and the ship was
launched by the Queen of Denmark. Spent August with the family
in Kerry.
'Liam O'Flynn has been out and about with 'The Brendan Voyage'
at the Lorient Festival in August, at the Tonder Festival in
Denmark in September, and in October with the NSO in Mallow
and Bantry.
Another special occasion followed on October 1st with a visit
by the President of Ireland to our children's school to unveil
a large amphitheatre - type sculpture in the grounds; the school
performed 'The President's Welcome' from the Dublin Special
Olympics Suite and 'Ceol na Cón' for Bells, Drums and
Bagpipes [no prize for guessing who got to compose it].
Looking ahead, I believe 'James Joyce's The Dead' is to have
a run in Philadelphia shortly, and 'The Lion, the Witch and
the Wardrobe' is to run over Christmas at both the Leicester
Playhouse and the West Yorkshire Playhouse.
