PERPETUAL TWILIGHT

9 Oxen of the Sun [5.15] e Strings in the Earth and Air [5.12] Eoghan Desmond Colin Mawby/Desmond Earley 1 Dúlamán [2.57] 5 The Maid of Culmore [4.30] Words: James Joyce Words: James Joyce Trad. Irish arr. Desmond Earley Trad. Irish arr. Kevin Whyms Soloist: Cormac Ó hAodáin French horn Soloists: Aoife O’Connor soprano Michael Seaver clarinet, Geraldine O’Doherty harp Words: Unknown Soloists: Mark Waters tenor, Hazel Conway soprano Soloists: Ciarán O’Donovan tenor Kevin Whyms guitar 0 Bó na Leathadhairce [3.09] r Conor Lyons bodhrán Trad. Irish arr. Desmond Earley Bright Cap and Streamers [2.43] 6 A Star [4.47] Soloists: Ciarán O’Donovan tenor Colin Mawby 2 My Love is like a Red, Red Rose [4.05] Natasa Paulberg Conor Lyons bodhrán Words: James Joyce Robert Burns arr. Ēriks Ešenvalds Words: Patrick Kavanagh Soloists: Shane Sweeney tenor Michael Seaver clarinet Words: Trad. Scottish Soloists: Emily Doyle soprano q Aimhirgín [5.44] Soloists: Declan Wildes tenor Maeve O’Hara vibraphone, Arun Rao cello Ivo Antognini Tristan Russcher piano, Gillian Williams violin Mikie Smyth whistle Words: Amairgen Glúngel Total timings: [66.20] Soloists: Gavin Coll bass 3 Body of the Moon [7.50] 7 Elegy [6.32] David Agnew cor anglais Desmond Earley Bill Whelan Words: Galileo Galilei Words: Frank McGuinness w Wild Mountain Thyme [3.16] Soloists: Abby Molloy alto, Sinéad O’Brien mezzo soprano Soloists: Emily Doyle soprano Trad. Scottish arr. Eoin Conway Martin Johnson cello, Paul Maher bass drum Geraldine O’Doherty harp Words: Unknown Soloists: Ciarán O’Donovan tenor 4 At that hour when all things have repose [5.55] 8 Danny Boy [4.27] Aoife O’Connor soprano Timothy Stephens Trad. Irish arr. Desmond Earley Words: James Joyce Words: Frederic Weatherly Soloists: Niamh McCullough soprano Soloists: Aoife O’Connor soprano, Declan Wildes tenor Geraldine O’Doherty harp THE CHORAL SCHOLARS OF UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN DESMOND EARLEY Artistic dIRECTOR

www.signumrecords.com INTRODUCTION dó is eol ca bhfuineann grian/who knows where There are seven new works for choir, each the sun sets?’; in Elegy, Frank McGuinness receiving its premiere recording on Perpetual The waters of the untamed Atlantic Ocean carve writes ‘fetch me the sun and shadow’; Patrick Twilight and all of them drawn from the out the craggy landscape of Ireland’s western Kavanagh turns our gaze to a star ‘that far literature of Ireland, together with four new coastline, but it is the ever-varying light – vanished flame’; W. B. Yeats invites the reader arrangements of much-loved favourites. Many dancing and falling across the land – that to consider the things of ‘night and light and of the texts on this disc express a poetic gives Ireland unique beauty. The Irish twilight, the half-light’ and James Joyce captures the reflection on the contrasts of light and or ‘half-light’ as William Butler Yeats described romance of twilight in his poem At that hour darkness, and life and death; always in search it – a mysterious light that stretches out its fingers when all things have repose. of a deeper understanding of our place and near to midnight – is particularly enchanting. purpose in this puzzling world. Joyce, a graduate of University College Dublin, The title of this disk, Perpetual Twilight, derives is considered one of the fathers of modern Galileo’s words ‘siamo unite da legami invisibili from the phrase ‘perpetuo crepuscolo’ which literature for his creative brilliance. Joyce was /we are all connected by invisible bonds’ bring is drawn from the writings of Galileo Galilei also an accomplished tenor, having won a to mind our cosmic connectivity. It is my hope (1564-1642). This Italian phrase is central to bronze medal for solo singing in 1904 at the that this music will bring a renewed appreciation a section of the Body of the Moon, a work I was Dublin Feis Ceoil competition. According to of the beauty and light of this world, and serve commissioned to write for radio broadcast a review of the competition in the Irish Daily as a reminder of the enduring ties that bind in the Pacific Northwest of the United States Independent on 17 May 1904, ‘Mr. Joyce showed us all together in our shared paths of life. of America in 2017. Galileo’s entire phrase ‘we himself possessed of the finest quality voice of had perpetual twilight and never darkness’ is any of those competing’. To mark the unique a poetic description of experiencing the eerie connection that University College Dublin has phenomenon of a total solar eclipse. with James Joyce, the Arts Council of Ireland supported the commissioning of three pieces Desmond Earley The sun is the source of all our natural light, for the choir based on poems from Joyce’s Artistic Director, Choral Scholars of University College Dublin and sun worship was central to the early 1907 collection, Chamber Music. In addition spirituality of the Gaels, as it was to many other there is a piece for horn and choir based on a peoples. Sun-related themes permeate the chapter from his seminal work, Ulysses. minds of Irish poets from ancient times to modern: the old Irish poem Aimhirgín asks ‘cé

- 4 - - 5 - PERPETUAL TWILIGHT by witnessing such a galactic occurrence. Body Like many great Irish love songs, The Maid of and questioning of this tragedy. However, of the Moon was broadcast across the Pacific Culmore tells the story of man longing for his concurrent to the choral repetition of the text Dúlamán is a traditional working song from Northwest of the United States as millions absent lover, who has ‘sailed out of Ireland ‘fetch me’ appears an angelic solo soprano the north of Ireland, made famous in the 1970s experienced the totality of the solar eclipse. away from Culmore’. He is so forlorn that he evoking hope and salvation. Elegy was specially by the legendary Irish group Clannad. The The phenomenon of the eclipse is represented wishes a storm would prevent her from composed for the Choral Scholars of University word ‘dúlamán’ means ‘seaweed’, and the by the lyrical cello line as the choir gives voice emigrating. He searches for her far and wide College Dublin and first performed at the song references two types, one for dyeing and to the words of Galileo: ‘Vedere il corpo della and his journey leads him to America, where he ensemble’s spring concert in Dublin in April 2018. one that is edible. These two types of seaweed luna/Behold the body of the moon!’ The bass vows to wander like a pilgrim in search of his love. also represent two different characters in drum represents the vastness of our solar Danny Boy is arguably one of most popular the song. This arrangement by Desmond Earley system, and a lone vocal improvisation speaks A Star, a poem by Patrick Kavanagh (1904- anthems of Irish America, and is often sung at features the Irish single-headed frame drum, to the personal experience of this magical 1967), was set by Natasa Paulberg for the funerals and in remembrance of loved ones. the bodhrán, and includes a lively refrain that moment. The original pop vocal improvisation UCD Ad Astra Academy students in 2012. With lyrics penned by the English lawyer and repeats after each verse. was recorded by Erick Vallé, cello by Nancy Ives Paulberg, an Australian-Irish composer, illustrates lyricist Frederic Weatherly (1848-1929), the and bass drum by Chris Whyte with Resonance the enormity and beauty of the night sky unforgettable melody, the ‘Derry Air’, continues Evoking the beauty of the Scottish Highlands, Ensemble, directed by Katherine FitzGibbon. through her instrumental writing for piano, to resonate around the world. Desmond Earley’s Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds’ arrangement vibraphone, violin and cello. The glittering evocative arrangement expands from a solitary of the well-loved ballad My Love is like a Red, James Joyce wrote a letter to his brother stars are represented by piano twinkles, while voice (‘Oh Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes Red Rose combines the Irish tin-whistle with expressing the hope that his collection of the melodic line and overall stability of A Star are calling…’) to the vivid colour of upper a rich choral sound. Despite its resemblance thirty-six poems, Chamber Music, would one is held by the choir, whose singers conjure a voices in close harmony. Expanding to a full a to other ballads of the time, this simple day be set to music: ‘The book is in fact a suite sense of reverence as night-time spectators. cappella choir and a tenor solo, the work in its text showcases Robert Burns’ (1759-1796) of songs and if I were a musician I suppose I entirety reveals a hauntingly intimate expression genius and communicates the deep emotion of should have set them to music myself’. The first In 2016, five members of a family died when of this much-loved text. eternal love. of three texts from Chamber Music featured their car slipped into the Atlantic waters of on this disc, At that hour when all things have Lough Swilly from a pier in Buncrana, Co Donegal. Quoting a fragment of text from Chapter 14 Commissioned by All Classical Portland radio repose is set for choir and harp by American The poet Frank McGuinness, born in Buncrana, of James Joyce’s Ulysses, composer Eoghan network to mark the occasion of the total composer Timothy Stephens. It is a work filled wrote about the incident, echoing the text of Desmond portrays childbirth as a divine solar eclipse in 2017, Desmond Earley’s with musical images: ‘Play on, invisible harps, Psalm 137 (‘By the rivers of Buncrana I sat, I did mystery. The greeting fanfare of a solo horn piece – based on the texts of Galileo Galilei unto love’. sit and weep.’). Bill Whelan’s sensitive setting in tandem with the choir depicts a mystical (1564-1642)–captures the sense of awe fostered allows the listener to experience the anguish incantation by doctors in Dublin’s Holles Street

- 6 - - 7 - Maternity Hospital – ‘Deshil Holles Eamus/ Celtic world, Aimhirgín employs his magic to 1 Dúlamán clockwise we go’, in other words, ‘while we control the forces of nature and assert his will wait for the mother to give birth, we will proceed over all things in Ireland, restoring peace to the Curfá Chorus in a clockwise manner’. The birthing begins land. Swiss composer Ivo Antognini underscores Dúlamán na binne buidhe Seaweed of the yellow cliff with active music on the words ‘send us the chanting chorus with an hypnotic cor anglais. dúlamán a tsléibhe Seaweed of the hill bright one, light one, Horhorn, quickening and dúlamán na farraige Seaweed of the ocean wombfruit’. Oxen of the Sun, composed for Wild Mountain Thyme, a Scottish folk song, was ‘s dúlamán a’ deididh And seaweed of the tooth the Choral Scholars of University College Dublin popularised by singer Francis McPeake, who and horn player Cormac Ó hAodáin in 2017, recorded it in 1957 for BBC Radio. Bob Dylan’s A ‘níon mhín ó Oh gentle daughter is a true celebration of the miracle of childbirth. recording of the song cited it as traditional, with sin anall na fir shuirí Here come the courting men the arranger unknown. A mháthairín mhín ó Oh gentle mother Bó na Leathadhairce (the one-horned cow) cuir na roithleáin go dtí mé Put the wheels in motion for me is a playful song learned by many children in Joyce considered the poems from his Chamber school. With origins in county Kerry, located Music collection ‘pretty enough to be put to Curfá Chorus on the south-west coast of Ireland, the one- music’ and expressed the hope to his brother horned cow is a metaphor for a poitín still (think that ‘someone will do so, someone that knows Tá ceann buí ór There is a golden yellow head Irish home-brewed alcohol) and the lyrics old English music, as I like’. The two poems Ar an dúlamán gaelach On the Irish seaweed become more peculiar as the song unfolds, set by English composer Colin Mawby – Tá dhá chluais mhaol There are two bare ears perhaps reflecting the increased level of Strings in the earth and air (I) and Bright cap Ar an dúlamán gaelach On the Irish seaweed intoxication of the singer, ‘B’fhearr liom ná and streamers (X) – are both imbued with scilling go bhfeicfinn mo chaora ’Teacht chun images of music and references to song in Curfá Chorus an dorais/I would prefer to a shilling to see my particular. The youthful passion of the latter sheep come to the door’. is reflected in the writing for clarinet and choir. Rachaimid don Iúir We will go to Newry Leis an dúlamán gaelach With the Irish seaweed ‘I am a wind at sea, I am a flooding wave, I am © Desmond Earley Ceannóimid bróga daora We will buy expensive shoes the voice of the ocean…’ these powerful words Ar an dúlamán maorach said the edible seaweed are attributed to the legendary druid Amairgen Glúngel (Aimhirgín) as he casts a spell over Curfá Chorus Ireland. Evoking the spirit of a pre-Christian

- 8 - - 9 - Bróga breaca dubha There are dappled black shoes And I will luve thee still, my dear, Ar an dúlamán gaelach On the Irish seaweed Till a’ the seas gang dry: Tá bairéad agus triús There is a beret and trousers Ar an dúlamán maorach On the edible seaweed Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear, And the rocks melt wi’ the sun: Curfá Chorus I will luve thee still, my dear, While the sands o’ life shall run. Goidé a thug na tíre thú? What brought you to these parts? Arsa an dúlamán gaelach Said the Irish seaweed And fare thee weel, my only Luve Ag suirí le do ‘níon Courting with your daughter And fare thee weel, a while! Arsa an dúlamán gaelach Said the the Irish seaweed And I will come again, my Luve, Tho’ it were ten thousand mile. Curfá Chorus And I will luve thee still, my dear, Cha bhfaigheann tú mo ‘níon You will not get my daughter Tho’ it were ten thousand mile. Arsa an dúlamán gaelach Said the Irish seaweed Bhuel fuadóidh mé liom í Well I’ll abduct her 3 Body of the Moon Arsa an dúlamán maorach Said the the edible seaweed Vedere, il corpo della Luna. See, the body of the moon. Siamo unite da legami invisibili. We are united by invisible bonds. 2 My Love is like a Red, Red Rose We had perpetual twilight and never darkness. Perpetuo crepuscolo; Perpetual twilight; O my Luve’s like a red, red rose Vedere! See! That’s newly sprung in June; O my Luve’s like the melodie Sunlight fading, That’s sweetly play’d in tune: Night comes, surrounding; Sunlight waning, As fair art thou, my bonnie lass, Feel these questions inside of me. So deep in luve am I:

- 10 - - 11 - Change this moment; Play on, invisible harps, unto Love, 6 A Star I have counted on two hands, I need it once upon a lifetime; Whose way in heaven is aglow The number of the dead, To feel it change, to open: At that hour when soft lights come and go, A Star I have counted on two hands, Lord inside of me, free this light! Soft sweet music in the air above Beauty was that The fingers of the dead, And in the earth below. Far vanished flame, Clutching, the sorrow of sacrifice, Let it go! Call it a star The Atlantic Ocean Let it be! 5 The Maid of Culmore Wanting better name. Giving up the dead, Live in this moment; Feel this power inside of me! From sweet lovely Derry for fair London town And gaze and gaze By the waters of Buncrana * There is no fairer harbour all around can be found Vaguely until Take a chance. Where the children do wander as they play along the shore Nothing is left I can see the sun dancing on And the joy bells are ringing for the maid of Culmore. Take a chance, Save a grey ghost-hill. The waves of Lough Swilly, To wonder, to ponder, The first time I saw her she passed me by I have seen the waves ebbing To understand feelings, And the next time that I saw her she bid me goodbye Here wait I On the sun of Lough Swilly, This life, beauty, But the last time I met her it broke my heart sore On the world’s rim Around me! For she sailed out of Ireland and away from Culmore. Stretching out hands I have seen my neighbours weeping, To Seraphim. Wade into the water, 4 At that hour when all things have repose If I had the power the storms for to rise I would blow the wind higher, I would darken skies 7 Elegy I have held in my hand At that hour when all things have repose, I would blow the wind higher and salt seas to roar The fingers of the dead, O lonely watcher of the skies, On the day that my darling sailed away from Culmore. By the waters of Buncrana I have seen the dead dancing Do you hear the night wind and the sighs I sat I did sit and weep On the waves of Lough Swilly, Of harps playing unto Love to unclose From the shores of America, my love I’ll go seek The pale gates of sunrise? For it’s there I know no-one, and no-one knows me On the pier adorned with algae, Fetch me the drowning chariot, But if I do not find her, I’ll return home no more Waves ebb and recede, When all things repose do you alone Waiting for sacrifice, Like a pilgrim I’ll wander for the maid of Culmore. Fetch me the sun and shadow, Awake to hear the sweet harps play The sorrow of sacrifice; The Atlantic Ocean To Love before him on his way, * In some versions the word ‘finer’ is sung instead of ‘fairer’. And the night wind answering to antiphon The Atlantic Ocean Till night is overgone?

- 12 - - 13 - The living and the dead, But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying, Loud on left Thor thundered: Saving the dying If I am dead, as dead I may well be Wisdom hath built herself a house Ye’ll come and find the place where I am lying, Fetch me the Heart that’s dying And kneel and say an Ave there for me; Pope Peter’s but a pissabed. I see my neighbours weeping And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me, Man’s a man for a’ that. And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be, I can see the sun dancing For you will bend and tell me that you love me, * Clockwise to Holles Street (Latin and Irish) On the waves of Lough Swilly, And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me! deiseal – Righthand direction, direction of sun. I have seen the waves ebbing On the sun of Lough Swilly, 9 Oxen of the Sun 0 Bó na Leathadhairce The one-horned cow I have heard my family weeping For the living and the dead. Deshil Holles Eamus.* Thíos cois na toinne Down by the waves I have in my hands Deshil Holles Eamus. ’sea beathaíodh mo chaora is where my sheep was reared The fingers of the dead. Deshil Holles Eamus. Ag Diarmuid Ó Dioláin By Diarmuid Ó Dioláin ó Bharra na hAoine from Barra na hAoine By the waters of Buncrana I sat Send us bright one, light one, Horhorn, Mac dearthár athar dom It was a son of my father’s brother I did sit and weep quickening and wombfruit! a chuir le haill í that threw her off a cliff The Atlantic Ocean Send us bright one, light one, Horhorn, Easpa tobac a bhí ar an gcladhaire. Lack of tobacco was what bothered the rogue quickening and wombfruit! 8 Danny Boy Send us bright one, light one, Horhorn, Curfá Chorus quickening and wombfruit! Bó, bó, bó na leathadhairce Cow, cow, the one-horned cow Oh, Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling Bó, bó, ’sí an tsean-chaor adharcach Cow, cow, she’s the old, horned sheep From glen to glen, and down the mountain side, Hoopsa boyaboy hoopsa! Bó, bó, bó na leathadhairce Cow, cow, the one-horned cow The summer’s gone and all the roses falling, Hoopsa boyaboy hoopsa! Bó dhroimeann dhearg The white-backed red cow It’s you, it’s you must go and I must bide. Hoopsa boyaboy hoopsa! is ní fheadair cá bhfaighinn í and who knows where I would find her. But come ye back when summer’s in the meadow, Or when the valley’s hushed and white with snow, Behold the mansion reared by dedal Jack B’fhearr liom ná scilling go I would prefer to a shilling It’s I’ll be here in sunshine or in shadow, A black crack of noise in the street here, alack, bhfeicfinn mo chaora to see my sheep Oh, Danny Boy, oh Danny boy I love you so! bawled back ’Teacht chun an dorais Come to the door

- 14 - - 15 - ar maidin nó istóiche in the morning or at night D’íosfainnse stráice I would eat a strip of the Thálfadh sí bainne dom, She would produce milk for me, den tseana chaora adharcach old, horned sheep bheathódh sí uan dom she would feed a lamb for me Ó nár dheas í! Oh, wasn’t she nice, Chuirfeadh sí seaicéidín deas She would put a nice jacket ó nár mheidhreach! oh, wasn’t she merry ar mo ghualainn. on my shoulders. Ó nár dheas í Oh, wasn’t she nice, an tsean-chaor adharcach the old horned sheep Curfá Chorus Curfá Chorus Chonacsa beirithe í, I saw her boiled, chonacsa á roinnt í I saw her being divided q Aimhirgín Chuireas-sa dúil inti I wanted her, but not a taste ach blaise ní bhfaighinn di would I get of her Mé gaoth ar muir I am a wind at sea Ó nár dheas í, Oh, wasn’t she nice, mé tonn díleann I am a flooding wave ó nár mheidhreach oh, wasn’t she merry mé glór mara I am the voice of the ocean Ó nár dheas í Oh, wasn’t she nice, mé damh seacht mbeann I am a seven pointed stag an tsean-chaor adharcach. the old horned sheep mé seabhac den aill I am a hawk from the cliff mé dealán gréine I am a gleam of sunlight Curfá Chorus mé áilleacht fáis I am the beauty of saplings mé torc ar ghail I am a raging boar Dá mbeinnse i rachmas, If I were rich in esteem mé bradán sa linn I am a salmon in the pool i ngradam ‘s in oidhreacht and inheritance mé loch ar mhá I am a lake on a plain Thabharfainnse giní I would give a guinea mé suí eagna I am the seat of wisdom ar chúpla slaghas di for a few slices of her mé ga faoi bhua ag sa chath I am a victorious spear slaughtering in battle Ó nár dheas í, Oh, wasn’t she nice, mise a adhnas tinfeadh cinn It is I who ignite inspiration ó nár mheidhreach oh, wasn’t she merry cé hé a mhíníos clochar sléibhe? Who explains stony mountains? Ó nár dheas í an Oh, wasn’t she nice, cé hé a áirmhíos trátha éasca? Who counts the phases of the moon? tsean-chaor adharcach. the old horned sheep cé dó is eol cá bhfuineann grian? Who knows where the sun sets? gair an draoi go geanaidh briocht díbh Call the druid that he may sing a charm for you D’íosfainn lán píce di, I would eat a whole pike of her, mise an draoi I am the druid d’íosfainn lán oighinn di, I would eat a full oven of her Mé gaoth ar muir I am a wind at sea

- 16 - - 17 - w Wild Mountain Thyme e Strings in the Earth and Air r Bright Cap and Streamers

Oh the summertime is coming Strings in the earth and air Bright cap and streamers, And the trees are sweetly blooming Make music sweet; He sings in the hollow: And the wild mountain thyme Strings by the river where Come follow, come follow, Grows around the blooming heather The willows meet. All you that love. Will ye go, Lassie go? Leave dreams to the dreamers There’s music along the river That will not after, And we’ll all go together For Love wanders there, That song and laughter To pluck wild mountain thyme Pale flowers on his mantle, Do nothing move. All around the blooming heather Dark leaves on his hair. Will ye go, Lassie go? With ribbons streaming All softly playing, He sings the bolder; I will build my love a tower With head to the music bent, In troop at his shoulder Near yon’ pure crystal fountain And fingers straying The wild bees hum. And on it I will build Upon an instrument. And the time of dreaming All the flowers of the mountain (Love) Dreams is over — Will ye go, Lassie go? As lover to lover, Sweetheart, I come. And we’ll all go together …

If my true love she were gone I would surely find another To pluck wild mountain thyme All around the blooming heather Will ye go, Lassie go?

And we’ll all go together …

- 18 - - 19 - THE CHORAL SCHOLARS OF UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN The Choral Scholars is an internationally- Chamber Orchestra. In touring the Netherlands, acclaimed chamber choir of gifted student Hungary, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, the United singers led by founding Artistic Director, Dr Kingdom and the United States of America, the Desmond Earley, based at University College group has brought University College Dublin Dublin School of Music. Scholars come from and its music to an international audience. The various academic disciplines and commit to an choir regularly broadcasts on television and intensive programme of choral study. Throughout radio. Notable recent appearances include each semester they receive intense vocal coaching, Centenary (RTÉ), for which the ensemble provided language instruction, and performance-practice the choral soundtrack. Concerts with Hans studies. Since its formation in 1999, the Zimmer and Ennio Morricone are among their choir has maintained strong links with its recent prestigious collaborations. family of over two hundred alumni who often return to perform with the ensemble on the The performance and commissioning of works national and international concert stage. by living composers is a hallmark of this ensemble. New compositions have been written With a classical focus, and an inspiration found for the group by Ivo Antognini, Eoghan Desmond, in the music and literature of Ireland, the Desmond Earley, Colin Mawby, Michael McGlynn, ensemble’s repertoire ranges from contemporary Timothy Stephens, and Bill Whelan. choral music to the re-imagining of Irish Soprano Alto Tenor Bass traditional song. What differentiates the Choral In December 2015 the group released their Eleanor Coleman Eimer Finn James Aherne Tadhg Brennan Scholars from other choirs is a strong national debut international album on Signum Records, Hazel Conway Rose Higgins Tomás Moore Gavin Coll identity, a commitment to artistic excellence, which has been well received by audiences Maura Daly Sophie Kehoe Glenn Murphy Elliot Davis an ambitious vision, a joyful camaraderie and a and critics alike in the UK, USA and Germany. Emily Doyle Abby Molloy Ciarán O’Donovan Eoin Falconer dynamic, youthful sound. The disc, titled Invisible Stars, is a collection Niamh McCullough Sinéad O’Brien Shane Sweeney Matthew Gibbons of traditional and contemporary choral music Bláthnaid Nicholson Sarah Thursfield Mark Waters † Mark Keegan The choir frequently performs with Ireland’s from Ireland and Scotland and features Caoileann Ní Cheallaigh Declan Wildes Fearghus Montague leading instrumentalists and orchestras, and arrangements and new compositions by some of Aoife O’Connor † The Maid of Culmore only has in recent years collaborated with the RTÉ Ireland’s most celebrated composers. Concert Orchestra and the European Union

- 20 - - 21 - Artistic Director: Desmond Earley DESMOND EARLEY As a celebrated composer and arranger, Desmond Ensemble Manager: Gráinne O’Hogan ARTISTIC DIRECTOR has published works with Music Sales (UK), Hal Leonard Corporation (USA), Alliance Music www.ucdchoralscholars.ie Hailed by The Irish Times as ‘enterprising and (USA) and with Seolta Music (IRL) where he Instagram: @choralscholars wide-ranging’, Desmond Earley, founding Artistic serves as editor of the international ‘College Facebook: facebook.com/UCDChoralScholars Director of the Choral Scholars of University Choral Series’. Twitter: @UCDChoral College Dublin, has established a reputation as The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin one of Ireland’s foremost conductors and early- His acclaimed work Body of the Moon (2017), keyboard specialists. based on a setting of texts by Galileo Galilei, is represented by Ériu Artist Management: was commissioned by All Classical Portland www.eriu-artists.com Desmond is a lecturer in Performance Studies at radio (USA) for the total solar eclipse across University College Dublin (UCD) and serves as the United States of America. He has created rotating Artistic Director of the UCD Ad Astra special arrangements for renowned ensembles Academy. In 2017-2018 he was Visiting Scholar including the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, the at Lewis & Clark College, Oregon (USA) and Portland Symphony Orchestra (Maine, USA), Guest Conductor/Scholar at Bowdoin College, Tenebrae (UK), and the Irish Baroque Orchestra. Maine (USA).

As a consort instrumentalist and director, Desmond has worked with many of the world’s finest orchestras including the Portland Baroque Orchestra, Irish Chamber Orchestra, Irish Baroque Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, European Union Chamber Orchestra and English Chamber Orchestra. Desmond has also collaborated with some of the world’s great musicians including Sir James Galway, Roy Goodman, Christopher Hogwood, Monica Huggett, and Konrad Junghaenel.

- 22 - - 23 - Musicians SÍLE MCCARTHY-CANNON ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The words of A Star by Patrick Kavanagh are VOICE COACH reprinted by kind permission of the Trustees of The choir is fortunate to work with some of We are very grateful to our sponsors and donors, the Estate of the late Katherine B. Kavanagh, Ireland’s finest instrumentalists. We would like Síle McCarthy-Cannon has been voice coach whose ongoing support enables the Choral through the Jonathan Williams Literary Agency. to thank the following for their contribution and to the Choral Scholars since 2009, working Scholars of University College Dublin to flourish, collaboration on this recording. with the group’s Artistic Director, Desmond especially now as we celebrate our 20th We are indebted to our vocal coach Síle McCarthy- Earley, on developing and maintaining the anniversary year. This project would not have Cannon for her dedication, endless enthusiasm David Agnew cor anglais choir’s distinctive sound. A performer with been possible without the generous support of and infectious energy which never fails to revive Martin Johnson cello many years of experience, McCarthy-Cannon the Iris O’Brien Foundation. The choir wishes tired singers! Conor Lyons bodhrán is in high demand in Ireland as a voice to acknowledge the support of the Arts Council We are very grateful to Aoife Daly of Ériu Paul Maher bass drum technician. She taught vocal technique and of Ireland; Robert McBride, All Classical Artist Management for her steadfast project Geraldine O’Doherty harp singing for seven years on the acting courses Portland; Prof Andrew Deeks; UCD Estate management of this recording from start to finish. Maeve O’Hara vibraphone at the Samuel Beckett Centre, Trinity College Services; Bill Whelan; Prof Mark Richardson; Cormac Ó hAodáin French horn Dublin, has worked with students in the the Embassy of Switzerland in Ireland; our 2014 The warm welcome and facilitation afforded our Arun Rao cello Gaiety School of Acting, and is a guest coach on Fundit donors; and the goodwill of Prof Mark Tristan Russcher piano team by All Hallows College was outstanding: University College Dublin’s Ad Astra Academy Rogers; Prof Sarah Prescott; UCD Alumni; UCD our special thanks to Rory O’Toole. Michael Seaver clarinet music programme. Prior to her move into the Ad Astra Academy; UCD Foundation; and the Mikie Smyth low whistle field of teaching, she worked extensively as faculty and staff of the UCD School of Music. Thanks to Nigel Short, Andrew Mellor and Kevin Whyms guitar a recital artist in Ireland, performing Lieder, Robin Hawkins for another wonderful recording Gillian Williams violin Chanson, Aria and Art-Song. She is Adjunct We express the gratitude of Choral Scholars experience, and to Steve Long and all at Signum Lecturer in vocal studies at University College past and present to the members of the Records for continuing to support and showcase Dublin School of Music. Advisory Board to the Choral Scholars, chaired Irish choral music. by Dr Dennis Jennings, for their sustained contribution and commitment to the choir and The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin relies on a network its scholars. of supporters, advisers and artistic partners to deliver an ambitious programme of musical activity each year. For more information, Our thanks to Prof Máire Ní Annracháin, Prof please contact the Ensemble Manager at [email protected] Máire Ní Chiosáin and others for their assistance with the Irish-language texts.

- 24 - - 25 - Recorded in All Hallows College, Drumcondra, Dublin, Ireland My Love is like a Red, Red Rose is published by Musica Baltica, distributed by from 27th to 29th April 2018 Edition Peters www.musicabaltica.com Producer – Nigel Short Engineer and Mastering – Andrew Mellor Body of the Moon is published by RMR music www.rmrmusic.com Editor – Robin Hawkins A Star Photography of Choral Scholars by Mark Molloy Is published by Avant Music Port www.avantmusicport.ie Photography of Desmond Earley by Leslie van Stelten P 2019 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Signum Records Ltd Elegy Cover Design – Rachel Lonergan © 2019 The copyright in this CD booklet, notes and design is owned by Signum Records Ltd Published by McGuinness Whelan Publishing Ltd (C) Booklet Design – Woven Design www.wovendesign.co.uk Administered worldwide by Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Ltd Any unauthorised broadcasting, public performance, copying or re-recording of Signum Compact Discs constitutes an infringement of copyright and will render the infringer liable to an action by law. Licences for public performances or broadcasting may be obtained from Phonographic Performance Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this booklet may be reproduced, stored Aimhirgín was commissioned by the Choral Scholars in 2014 with support from SCORES in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from Signum Records Ltd. Fund it donors and the Embassy of Switzerland in Ireland. Dúlamán SignumClassics, Signum Records Ltd., Suite 14, 21 Wadsworth Road, Perivale, Middx UB6 7JD, UK. Body of the Moon was commissioned by All Classical Portland radio network The Maid of Culmore +44 (0) 20 8997 4000 E-mail: [email protected] (USA) in 2017. Bó na Leathadhairce www.signumrecords.com Oxen of the Sun Bright Cap and Streamers, At that hour when all things have repose and Strings Strings in the Earth and Air in the Earth and Air were commissioned by the Choral Scholars in 2017 with Bright Cap and Streamers support from the Arts Council of Ireland. Danny Boy At that hour when all things have repose Oxen of the Sun was commissioned by the Choral Scholars in 2018. Wild Mountain Thyme Are published by Seolta Music www.seoltamusic.com

- 26 - - 27 - ALSO AVAILABLE on signumclassics

Invisible Stars Choral Works of Ireland & Scotland The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin Desmond Earley SIGCD436

“Blending ‘folk’ voices with choral precision and tight harmony isn’t easy, but Desmond Earley has a passionate stake in both and doesn’t put a foot wrong” Choir and Organ

“Lovers of elegantly crafted singing will find much to enjoy here in a survey of Irish and Scottish songs that also reaches across the Atlantic in the Appalachian-accented Black is the Colour of My True Love’s Hair … Vocal solos are pristinely realised, the ensemble sound gilded and glowing” Classical Ear

Available through most record stores and at www.signumrecords.com For more information call +44 (0) 20 8997 4000

- 20 - CTP Template: CD_INL1 COLOURS Compact Disc Back Inlay CYAN Customer SignumClassics MAGENTA YELLOW Catalogue No.SIGCD558 BLACK Job Title: Twilight SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD558

PERPETUAL TWILIGHT

PERPETUAL TWILIGHT UCD CHORAL SCHOLARS / EARLEY 1 Dúlamán Trad. Irish arr. Desmond Earley [2.57] 2 My Love is like a Red, Red Rose Robert Burns arr. Ēriks Ešenvalds [4.05] 3 Body of the Moon Desmond Earley [7.50] 4 At that hour when all things have repose Timothy Stephens [5.55] 5 The Maid of Culmore Trad. Irish arr. Kevin Whyms [4.30] 6 A Star Natasa Paulberg [4.47] 7 Elegy Bill Whelan [6.32] 8 Danny Boy Trad. Irish arr. Desmond Earley [4.27] 9 Oxen of the Sun Eoghan Desmond [5.15] 0 Bó na Leathadhairce Trad. Irish arr. Desmond Earley [3.09] q Aimhirgín Ivo Antognini [5.44] w Wild Mountain Thyme Trad. Scottish arr. Eoin Conway [3.16] e Strings in the Earth and Air Colin Mawby/Desmond Earley [5.12] r Bright Cap and Streamers Colin Mawby [2.43]

Total timings: [66.20]

THE CHORAL SCHOLARS OF UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN DESMOND EARLEY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR UCD CHORAL SCHOLARS / EARLEY / SCHOLARS CHORAL PERPETUAL TWILIGHT UCD

LC15723 Signum Records Ltd, Suite 14, 21 Wadsworth Road, Perivale, Middx UB6 7JD, United Kingdom. P 2019 Signum Records DDD SIGCD558 SIGCD558 © 2019 Signum Records www.signumrecords.com 24 bit digital recording 6 35212 05582 3 SIGNUM CLASSICS