Cello Accordion Ireland
The sound of the accordion is an underexploited resource in classical music; it is heard even less frequently in combination with other instruments. This recital of music by Irish composers for cello and accordion – from the nimble folk idiom of Turlough Carolan to the passionate Romanticism of more recent men and women – demonstrates just how effectively these colours blend together. And it is not just the medium which is unusual: much of this music is as good as unknown.
Adrian Mantu, cello
Dermot Dunne, accordion
Turlough Carolan
Pieces for Flute and Piano (arr. Barlow)
- Carolan’s Concerto (2:58)
- All Alive (1:01)
- The Clergy’s Lamentation (1:45)
- Princess Royal (2:08)
- Blind Mary (2:03)
- Carolan’s Quarrel with the Landlady (1:25)
- Sheebed and Sheemore (3:26)
- Planxty Lady Wrixon (1:15)
- Mrs Anne MacDermott Roe (2:02)
- Carolan’s Farewell to Music (3:59)
Joan Trimble
- The Coolin, traditional Irish air (1939)* (4:20)
Ina Boyle
- Psalm for Violoncello Solo and Orchestra (arr. piano; 1927) (11:56)
Brian Boydell
Five Settings of Poems by James Joyce (c. 1946)* (10:14)
- No. 1, Strings in the earth and air (2:44)
- No. 2, Gentle lady, do not sing (1:56)
- No. 3, O, it was out by Donnycarney (1:17)
- No. 4, Rain has fallen all the day (1:39)
- No. 5, I hear an army charging upon the land (2:38)
Henri O’Kelly
- Mélancolie, Romance sans paroles, for piano and violin or violoncello (1897) (2:43)
Ina Boyle
- Elegy: Rhapsody for Violoncello Solo and Orchestra (arr. piano; 1913) (10:01)
Swan Hennessy
- Rapsodie gaélique, Op. 63 for violoncello and piano (publ. 1925)* (5:24)
First Recordings in these Arrangements, *First Recordings
All works arranged for cello and accordion by Adrian Mantu & Dermot Dunne
Andreea Banciu :
Fantastic!
Barnes & Noble :
‘These have varied flavors, and listeners interested in modern Irish music should find them especially useful. In general, the biggest draw of the album is the unexpected combination of cello and accordion, which works well enough that one may be surprised that few or none have thought of it before. Each instrument has the capability for both melody and harmony, and this works itself out in various ways over the length of the program. The music here never feels repetitive, and one even hopes to hear more from these musicians, covering further repertory from Ireland or elsewhere.’
—James Manheim, Barnes & Noble