Colm Henry Danú An Nollaig in Éirinn

Featuring: Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Lead Vocals, Flute and Whistles Benny McCarthy, Button Accordion and Melodeon Donal Clancy, Guitar and Vocals Liam Flanagan, Fiddle and Tenor Banjo Eamon Doorley, The Irish Bouzouki and Backing Vocals Martin O’Neil, Bodhran (Irish Drums) and Piano

Plus Guest Irish Step Dancers

Program Set list will be announced from stage.

There will be an intermission.

Friday, December 2, 2011 @ 7:30 PM

Zellerbach Theatre

This performance is part of the Annenberg Center’s 11/12 Irish Roots Series.

11/12 SEASON 41 Notes on the Program

Repertoire will be selected from the following and announced from the stage: The Wexford Carol-Traditional/Arranged by Danú This very old carol has been a favourite in Ireland for many years. It is in English and the song tells us about the holy story. Apples in Winter/ The Frost is all over-Traditional/Arranged by Danú Two lovely traditional Irish Jigs with beautiful titles that depict great images of winter time and the Christmas season. Oiche Chíuín/Silent Night -Traditional/Arranged by Danú Silent Night is a song that is known the world over. We perform it as “Oiche Chiuin” in the Irish Language and follow it into the English version where we encourage everybody to join in and sing along with us. -Traditional/Arranged by Danú Christmas Eve reel is probably the most well known Christmas tune in Ireland. It would not be Christmas time for Irish musicians without “Christmas Eve” the reel. Angels We Have Heard on High -Traditional/Arranged by Danú This is another favourite that everyone can sing along. The song is a great favourite in Ireland during the season of Christmas. Le Coinnle na N’Aingeal-Traditional/Arranged by Danú This beautiful Irish song translates as “The Candles of Angels” and is a lovely song about the old Irish tradition of candle lighting in the people’s windows as a sign of welcome. Scartaglen Slide Set -Traditional/Arranged by Danú Scartaglen is a village in the beautiful Sliabh Luachra area, which borders Counties Cork and Kerry. The first type is a “Slide” and it is followed by some great reels “The Hunters Purse” and “The Reconciliation.” The Boys of Barr na Stráide-Traditional/Arranged by Danú This is a great song from County Kerry which mentions “Hunting for the Wren” as sung in the last line of each verse. The wren hunt is an ancient tradition in Ireland which takes place on December 26th “St Stephens Day”, a great day of music, song and celebration. Kilfenora Jigs Set -Traditional/Arranged by Danú Kilfenora is a beautiful village in County Clare. This Jig is named after the village and played commonly in Ireland by traditional musicians. Polka Selection-Traditional/Arranged by Danú Irish Polkas are mostly associated with the Munster region in Southern Ireland. Breton Lullaby-Traditional/Arranged by Danú This is a beautiful Breton Dance tune that we arranged as a lullaby. We got this from a great musician called “Ronan Pellen” from Brittany in France. Brittany is a Celtic region, also. The Parting Glass -Arranged by Danú This song is one of Ireland’s greatest farewell song and is always sang at the end of the evening.

*Program is subject to change

42 Notes on the Program

The acclaimed Irish ensemble Danú celebrates a traditional Irish Christmas with An Nollaig in Éirinn. Celtic music lovers around the globe have been thrilled by the ensemble’s virtuoso players on fiddle, flutes, button accordion, percussion and the gorgeousvoice of Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh. Winner of major awards from the BBC and Irish Music Magazine, Danú returns to the US in December 2010, with special guests and a glorious celebration of Christmas from their homeland.

In Ireland, the festival of Christmas has for centuries been celebrated by traditional Irish music and song. There are many musical tributes that pay homage to early Irish traditions such as The Laden Table, placing a candle in a window, and touring from house to house on St. Stephen’s Day. Adding another dimension to this beautiful program, Danú has also created a set of songs to be performed in each community with a local choir. Christmas in Ireland: An Nollaig in Éirinn is a Celtic music celebration that warms the heart. Visit Danú on the web at danu.net or myspace.com/danuband.

About the Artists

Hailing from historic County Waterford, Danú is one of the leading traditional Irish ensembles of today. Their standing room only concerts throughout Ireland are true events featuring high-energy performances and a glorious mix of ancient Irish music and new repertoire.

For over a decade, Danú’s virtuosi players on flute, tin whistle, fiddle, button accordion, bouzouki, and vocals (Irish and English), have performed around the globe and recorded seven critically acclaimed albums. Their live DVD, One Night Stand, was filmed at Vicar St. Dublin. Winners of numerous awards from the BBC and Irish Music Magazine, Danú has toured throughout Europe, the Middle East, and North America with stops at The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, Symphony Space in New York City, and major concert engagements in the United Kingdom, India, Israel, and across Europe. Danú takes its audiences on a musical journey to their native Ireland, offering a moving and memorable concert experience. Danú’s popular recordings are available on the Shanachie label and live performances are often broadcast on NPR, the CBC and the BBC.

Danú has won the BBC Award twice and the Irish Music Magazine Award. In the United States, Danú has performed coast to coast including performances in Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, and Washington as well as at the Krannert Center and Notre Dame.

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