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| The Pilgrim, [1983, revised 1990 and 2000] duration I hour 30 mins; Commissioned in 1983 by the Lorient Interceltic Festival, 'The Pilgrim' is the largest of Shaun Davey's works, a suite for Celtic Soloists and Orchestra with Pipeband and Choir. These 200 musicians are joined by a narrator who leads them on a musical journey through the Celtic countries of Western Europe, along the land and sea paths of the Saints of the early Christian era, encountering en route Colmcille, Samson of Dol and King Arthur . The music ranges from battles and vigorous dances in traditional style to laments and a plaintive hymn to the Sun, and includes the popular and spiritual setting of St Patrick's Breastplate, 'The Deer's Cry'. Lyrics and narration are largely drawn from medieval texts adding a further dimension to a fascinating, cultural and moving musical experience with a real community involvement.
The Pilgrim, on stage at the Lorient Interceltic Festival Running order [revised 2000] 1] 'The Battle of Cul Dremna'; Bagpipes, orchestra and percussion. 2] Narrator as Colm Cille. 3] Song in old irish; 'The music of the River'; male vocal, uilleann pipes, choir and orchestra. 4] Narrator decribes monastic life, from medieval poem 'the Cry of the Garb'. 5] 'The Trotting Pilgrim' and 'A Walk in the Ocean'; uilleann pipes and orchestra. 6] Narrator as 6th century monk preparing to face the perils of a sea pilgrimage. 7] Song 'The Pilgrim'; male vocal, uilleann pipes and keyboard. 8] Narrator as Colm Cille; text; 'Colmcille's Exile'. 9] 'The Land of the Picts'; pipeband. 10] 'Iona'; solo bagpiper and orchestra. 11] 'Briochan and Columba'; Colm Cille faces the Druids in a duel of magic. 12] Narrator describes a storm at sea, from a medieval text. 13] Song 'A Storm at Sea'; male vocal, choir and orchestra. 14] 'The Irish Sea'; uilleann pipes in Bb. 15] Narrator recounts the story of the death of King Arthur. 16] Choral song in welsh; 'Ymadawiad Arthur', [Death of King Arthur]. 17] Narrator recounts St. Samson's journey across Cornwall. 18] Choral song in old cornish, 'Samson Peccator Episcopus' 19] 'St Mathew's Point'; narrator, solo bombarde, harp and orchestra. 20] Danse Plin; 'On the Quay'; bombarde and biniou duet. 21] Bal Plin; 2 bombardes and orchestra. 22] Danse An Dro; 2 bombardes and orchestra. 23] Song, 'Kenavo d'an Naoned' ['Farewell to Nantes]; male vocal, choir and orchestra. 24] Narrator; describes the founding of a monastic settlement, from a medieval poem. 25] 'A Pilgrim's Alborada'; solo Galician pipes [gaita], uilleann pipes in C, harps and orch. 26] 'Two Galician Dances'; Gaita, bagpipers, percussion and orchestra. 27] Song 'The Deer's Cry'; solo female vocal, choir and orchestra. 28] Narrator; 'God be with me', translation of early medieval Irish prayer. 29] Song in scots gaelic, 'A'Ghrian' ['Hymn to the Sun'], leading to [30] 'Finale arrangement of The Irish Sea'; solo female vocal, choir, bagpipes, soloists and orchestra.
The Pilgrim Concert Performances; Debut at the Lorient Interceltic Festival in 1983, followed by repeat performances 1984, 1990, 2000 and 2001. Also performed at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in 1990 to close Glasgow’s year as European City of Culture. In 1999 performed in Chicago as a fundraising event by Old St. Pat’s Cathedral; The revised version was premiered at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, Dublin, 2000, [with the actor Ben Kingsley as narrator]; most recent performance at Sabhal Mor Ostaig [The Gaelic College], Isle of Skye, Scotland, 2001; live recording of this concert broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland, Christmas Day, 2001. The Pilgrim Concert Requirements8 woodwind, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, Tymps + 3 percussion, drumkit, bass guitar, piano, harp, Suggested minimum strings 14/12/10/8/4; has been done with less. Male vocal soloist Female vocal soloist Uilleann pipes soloist, with chanters in D, C and Bb. Narrator Additional Harp soloist; Irish nylon and metal strung harps 2 Breton bombarde soloists, one doubling Biniou Galician Gaita soloist, with chanters in C and Bb Specialist rhythm section; acoustic guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, percussion/drums Large choir or association of choirs, generally from the community. Pipe band, where possible from the community. Amplification + stage monitors, sound and lighting crew. Following extensive revision of 'The Pilgrim' in 2000, the current CD on Tara no longer accurately represents the concert work, [even though many of these tracks are still included]. Anyone interested in live performance of the suite can hear its revised form on a CD demo available, with score and parts, from Shaun Davey
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