English language version below:
Bhí an-áthas ar Gael Linn fáilte a chur roimh an chumadóir Éireannach ceoil Patrick Cassidy atá lonnaithe i Los Angeles agus é ar cuairt chucu don chéad uair ó d’eisigh an eagraíocht a chéad albam in 1988. Bhí lúcháir ar Cassidy a mháistir-thaifeadtaí a thógáil ina láimh arís in aircíveanna na heagraíochta.
Ag
gabháil comhghairdis le Gael Linn agus an eagraíocht 70 bliain ar an fhód dúirt an cumadóir a bhfuil clú domhanda air, ‘Tá ionchur nach féidir luach a chur air i ndiaidh a bheith ag Gael Linn ar chaomhnú ár n-oidhreachta ceoil agus lena ndúthracht leanúnach ag cur na Gaeilge agus an chultúir chun cinn.’
Tá Cassidy, atá sa bhaile ar cuairt ar a mhuintir i Luimneach, ar dhuine de na cumadóirí ceoil chlasaicigh is mó clú de chuid na hÉireann. Chuir a cheol scannáin, ‘Vide Cor Meum’ mar shampla, a cumadh don scannán Hannibal, stiúrtha ag Ridley Scott agus a raibh an phríomhpháirt ag Anthony Hopkins ann, go mór le cáil a shaothair. Ar na mallaibh tá ceoldráma iomlán críochnaithe aige atá bunaithe ar shaothar Dante. Beidh an chéad léiriú in Amharclann Hof, in Hof na Gearmáine ar 15 Meitheamh 2024.
Rugadh i gClár Chlainne Mhuiris é agus bhog siad go Sionainn nuair bhí Cassidy 6 bliana d’aois. Tá cuimhne aige a thuismitheoirí ag díol ceirníní Gael Linn ina gCógaslann agus seastán dá gcuid féin acu mar a bhí áit go leor do chógaslann. D’fhás Cassidy aníos ag éisteacht le ceirníní Gael Linn agus d’imir siad tionchar tábhachtach ar a thuras féin sa cheol.
Roinnt blianta ina dhiaidh seo thaifead Gael Linn a chéad cheirnín, Cruit, a dhéanann fiosrú ar an dóigh a d’fhéachadh mór-chláirseoirí na hÉireann ar cheol s’acu mar chuid lárnach de cheol ensemble mar a bhí ag tarlú in áiteacha eile san Eoraip ag an am. Bhí an taifeadadh féin ina phléisiúr ag Cassidy agus labhraíonn sé ar chomh tacúil spreagúil agus a bhí gach duine i nGael Linn: ‘Gan Gael Linn bheadh an oiread sin caillte ag am a raibh Éire ag athrú go mór mar shochaí. Chuir bunaitheoirí Gael Linn comaoin mhór orm féin agus tá mé buíoch fosta dóibh siúd a leanann ar aghaidh leis an obair mhór mhaith inniu.’
Dúirt Réamonn Ó Ciaráin, Príomhfheidhmeannach Gael Linn, ‘Pléisiúr amach is amach a bhí ann fáilte a chur roimh Patrick ar ais i ndiaidh 35 bliain. Níl aon ghléas ceoil chomh draíochtúil agus Cláirseach na hÉireann. Is íomhá í atá leabaithe go domhain i sícé na nGael ón chianaimsir. Bhí a chéad albam ag Patrick Cassidy ina lingchlár d’éachtaí móra eile gan dabht.’
Tá Cruit, albam Cassidy ó 1988, ar cheol ensemble cláirsí, ar fáil mar dhlúthdhiosca ó Gael Linn agus le bheith sruthaithe nó íoslódáilte ó na hardáin dhigiteacha.
World Renowned Composer Patrick Cassidy Makes a Return Visit to Debut Album Label Gael Linn
Gael Linn were thrilled to welcome Los Angeles-based Irish composer Patrick Cassidy on a visit to the organisation with whom he released his debut album in 1988. Cassidy was delighted to hold once more his master-recordings in the company’s archives.
Congratulating Gael Linn on their 70th anniversary the world-famous composer said, ‘Gael Linn has made an invaluable contribution to preserving our musical heritage and have maintained an indispensable commitment to the Irish language and culture.’
Cassidy, home visiting family in Limerick, is one of Ireland’s most renowned living classical composers. His film scores such as the aria ‘Vide Cor Meum’ originally composed for the film ‘Hannibal’, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Anthony Hopkins, have added greatly to the distinction of his work. Recently Cassidy completed a full opera inspired by the work of Dante which premieres in Theatre Hof, Hof, Germany on 15th June 2024.
Born in Claremorris, County Mayo, Patrick moved to Shannon Town when 6 years old. He remembers his parents selling Gael Linn Records in their pharmacy which had its very own special record stand in the shop; something of a peculiarity for a pharmacy. Cassidy grew up listening to all the albums produced by Gael Linn and this became an important influence in his own musical development.
Some years later Gael Linn recorded Cassidy’s first Album Cruit which explores how the great harpers of Ireland would have seen their music as an integral part of an ensemble as was occurring musically in the rest of Europe. The recording process for Cassidy was a joy and he speaks of how everyone at Gael Linn was so encouraging and supportive: ‘Without Gael Linn, so much could have been lost when Ireland was going through huge changes as a society. I feel indebted to the founders of Gael Linn and to those who continue their momentous work today.’
Réamonn Ó Ciaráin, CEO of Gael Linn said, ‘It was a pleasure to welcome Patrick back after 35 years. There is no musical instrument more entrancing than the Irish harp. The harp is an image deeply embedded in the psyche of Ireland since ancient times. Patrick Cassidy’s first album featuring the Irish harp was certainly a springboard for even greater achievements on his behalf.’
Cruit Patrick Cassidy’s 1988 album of harp ensemble music is available on CD from the Gael Linn website and for streaming and downloading on many digital platforms.’