JOHN O'CONOR
My Ireland (Sin-Drome/After 9)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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John O'Conor has been one of the world's preeminent classical pianists for nearly a quarter of a century, but although he is best known for highlights like his recordings of the complete Beethoven piano catalog and his groundbreaking explorations of the 19th century Irish master John Fields, the earliest music he was exposed to were the traditional jigs, reels and airs of his boyhood in Ireland. This recording finds him interpreting those songs publicly for the first time as a professional, with the support of the Irish Chamber Orchestra under the baton of Mitch Farber.

Farber's orchestrations are impeccable and O'Conor's playing reveals the obvious emotional connection he feels for the music. While Irish traditional bands rarely feature pianos, Irish homes frequently do and the music lends itself well to keyboard interpretations. Who better to provide those interpretations than the Director of the Royal Irish Academy of Music? From the evidence on this disc, no one. If you're a lover of Irish music, or just of beautiful music beautifully played, this is a collection sure to please.

Track List:

Haste To The Wedding * The Last Rose Of Summer * The Banks Of My Own Lovely Lee * Fantasy On The Irish Washerwoman * Come Back To Erin * I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen * Medley of Hornpipes: Standard Hornpipe/ Dunphy's Hornpipe/The Black Horse * Cockles And Mussels * The Kerry Dances * She Moved Through The Fair * The Rocky Road To Dublin * The Derry Air (Danny Boy) * The Coulin * Patrick's Day * The Meeting Of The Waters * Medley of Reels: The Pidgeon On The Gate/The Wild Fire Chase/ Sporting Molly

© 2000 - Shaun Dale