The Music of Martine Lund Hoel
Martine Lund Hoel is a Norwegian composer and musician who uses a traditional Norwegian folk instrument, the hardanger fiddle. Her repertoire includes Nordic, Balkan and Celtic folk music and Baroque. Martine contributed the music for the hugely popular ‘A Knock at the Door’ film created by the Duirwaigh Gallery team.
Filed under Music | Comment (0)Lord of the Rings – The Musical
Tolkien’s epic fantasy trilogy The Lord of the Rings has been given a new incarnation, this time as a stage musical. With a cast of over 70 actors, singers and musicians and stunning design and music the story is brought to life at London’s legendary Theatre Royal Drury Lane from June 19th.
Director Matthew Warchus says of the production, “We have not attempted to pull the novel towards the standard conventions of Musical Theatre, but rather to expand those conventions so that they will accommodate Tolkien’s material. As a result, we will be presenting a hybrid of Text, Physical Theatre, Music and Spectacle never previously seen on this scale. To read the novel is to experience the events of Middle-earth in the mind’s eye; only in the theatre are we actually plunged into the events as they happen. The environment surrounds us. We participate. We are in Middle-earth.”
Greene Lady Music
Inspired by traditional Celtic beliefs, magic and nature myths, Jenna Greene is a vocalist and songwriter whose melodic offerings are both romantic and mystical. Her debut CD is Crossroads, featuring all original compositions and cover art by Jane Starr-Weils. While all the tracks I have heard have a mythical quality, ‘Believe’ is the Fairy song. I can almost imagine it being the closing song to stage musical. Quite magical!
Filed under Music | Comment (0)Dance With the Stars – Gabrielle Angelique
Gabrielle Angelique is a singer/songwriter and harpist who weaves her eclectic musical influences with tales from fantastic realms. ‘Dance with the Stars’ is her latest album, featuring a mix of traditional Celtic ballads, cover versions and original material. It is obvious right from the start the love and care put into this album by Gabrielle, from the high production values to the beautiful cover artwork. The songs themselves are diverse, both in their musical styles and emotions. The upbeat ‘Fairy Realm’ gets toes a-tapping and makes the listener want to have a little dance (in a Fairy ring, naturally!), whilst other songs take on a more melancholic air. The cover songs include Enya’s ‘May It Be’ and Kate Bush’s ‘Wuthering Heights’.
To celebrate Fae Nation’s 1st Birthday we are giving away a signed copy of ‘Dance With the Stars’. To enter, all you need do is answer the following question:
Which studio was Dance With the Stars recorded at?
All the correct answers will be put into a draw and the winner picked at random. Please note the draw ends on June 1st and the winner will be announced the following weekend!
Filed under Music | Comment (0)The Harper and the Minstrel
Using Celtic harps, flutes, recorder, low D pennywhistle, bowed psaltery, guitar and beautiful vocal harmonies, The Harper and The Minstrel conjure the sounds of yesteryear. The Renaissance duo’s latest album is ‘The Circle of Fae’, 14 tracks of Elves, Faeries and other magical beings. A delightful mix of traditional and original compositions, plus a cover of Lorenna McKennitt’s ‘The Lady of Shallott’, this is their 5th album since 2002. The band consists of husband and wife, Jay and Abby Michaels, and the duo make regular appearances at Renaissance Faires in the USA.
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