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A musical evening without compare  TOM
Beaumont the West London Rúnaí sent the Irish music page
a review of the recently-held London regional concert which I’m
going to share with the readers as it conveys the unique atmosphere of
a Comhaltas concert.
FROM all over London and beyond people flocked to the London regional
concert at Haringey Irish Centre on Friday, November 23.
Groups settled comfortably round the tables that’d been set out
as if for a cabaret — or maybe a prize fight.
The local heroes East London Comhaltas were first onto the stage. Some
20 East London musicians played set after set sometimes all together,
sometimes as ensembles — looking for all the world as if they are
used to playing together, which indeed they are.
For their regular monthly session on the fourth Friday of the month at
Haringey Irish Centre is highly-regarded. Their teachers Maureen and Sinéad
Linane (accordion and fiddle) sat to the right of the stage playing with
them.
Before the show they looked relaxed, enjoying the atmosphere with their
family and friends. Their confidence in their protégés was
justified.
Each branch had a dress code and East London’s was a chic black
except for singer Kathleen O’Sullivan who dressed in black skirt
and red blouse.
Singers are allowed to do that sort of thing — especially when they
are that good.
Kathleen sang a jaunty song about a bold rogue, a bad rogue, a rogue of
low degree but decided in the end not to tell us: “What the rogue
he did to me.”
I noticed youngsters learning songs from her. Good on her for passing
on the tradition and for not hoarding the good songs just for herself.
Ciarán Linane was also loudly cheered for his energetic broom dance.
North London with their music teachers Colette Keaveney and Elaine Walsh
on fiddles interspersed their music with songs.
The cheers this time were for young Etaoin Rowe who sang a plaintive song
of emigration with her customary impeccable breath control and careful
phrasing. It’s one she wrote herself.
North London chairman Pat Connolly from Connemara treated the concert
to some of his acclaimed Sean Nós singing.
The Comhaltas objective to restore the playing of the harp and the uilleann
pipes was observed and it was good to see both centre stage and played
so well by Laura Foley and Ann-Marie Ardill.
Sharon Kelly on fiddle led some 24 musicians for West London. The light
reflecting off the polish of the two harps, the eager concentration on
all the young players’ faces was a sight to behold.
Teresa Gaughan featured on uilleann pipes and flute while her young brother
Edward also looked comfortable in front of an appreciative audience —
our feet tapping to his lively solo on mouth organ.
Laura Boyle and Erin Gilger each in turn sang a song for us.
What St. Albans lacked in numbers they made up for in the way their playing
complemented each other. They looked and sounded as composed as any chamber
orchestra entertaining in an elegant drawing room.
Noel Angland impressed as a natural on the flute especially playing an
atmospheric slow air. Sarah Pender and Rachel Wallace were equally at
home playing as a duet.
The young bodhran player acquitted himself well introducing each set —
an important responsibility. The box players at each end of the line communicated
well in keeping themselves and everyone else together.
For the concluding set the stage filled again with musicians from all
the branches with Maureen Linane leading a rousing session to end the
night — closing as usual with Amhrán na bhFiann.
What a great night we had. Thank-you so much to the performers and to
the parents and friends who were so up for this party.
And to the workers who sold all the tickets. They’d be millionaires
if they put that energy into making money for themselves.
Kathleen O’Sullivan’s CD Born On St. Patrick’s Day
is available from kosullivan@postmaster.co.uk. Proceeds go to the British
Heart Foundation in memory of her brother Matt — a respected flute
player on the London scene who died of a heart attack aged 36. |
