Celtic Meditation Music [Abridged, Audiobook] [Audio CD]

Aine Minogue (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2004

If prayers were music, what would they sound like? Irish harpist Aine Minogue offers her artful answer on Celtic Meditation Music--a collection of original songs based on ancient Celtic prayers, specifically composed for meditation and relaxation. "The Irish harp has always been associated with spirituality," says Minogue, and this is especially evident on her newest album. Using traditional poetry as divine inspiration, she crafts a set of instrumental "slow airs"--feminine, expressive, and dynamic songs that transpose the silent spaces between the lines of Celtic prayer into melody. Minogue's numerous albums, including the acclaimed Between the Worlds, cross genres and appeal to Celtic, World, Folk, and New Age music enthusiasts alike. Her introspective style is at once deeply rooted in the ancient form and imbued with a creativity all her own, making her a regular favorite with Billboard Magazine and Boston Globe reviewers and National Public Radio. Now, with Celtic Meditation Music, fans--both new and old--are immersed in the haunting, modal tones of the harp, turning the act of listening into an invitation to an ancient sacred space--an invitation that lasts long after the final vibration of the strings. Irish harp accompanied by clarinet, cello, violin, and percussion.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

If prayers were music, what would they sound like? Irish harpist Aine Minogue offers her artful answer on Celtic Meditation Music--a collection of original songs based on ancient Celtic prayers, specifically composed for meditation and relaxation. "The Irish harp has always been associated with spirituality," says Minogue, and this is especially evident on her newest album. Using traditional poetry as divine inspiration, she crafts a set of instrumental "slow airs"--feminine, expressive, and dynamic songs that transpose the silent spaces between the lines of Celtic prayer into melody. Minogue's numerous albums, including the acclaimed Between the Worlds, cross genres and appeal to Celtic, World, Folk, and New Age music enthusiasts alike. Her introspective style is at once deeply rooted in the ancient form and imbued with a creativity all her own, making her a regular favorite with Billboard Magazine and Boston Globe reviewers and National Public Radio. Now, with Celtic Meditation Music, fans--both new and old--are immersed in the haunting, modal tones of the harp, turning the act of listening into an invitation to an ancient sacred space--an invitation that lasts long after the final vibration of the strings. Irish harp accompanied by clarinet, cello, violin, and percussion.

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Sounds True, Incorporated; Abridged edition (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591791529
• ISBN-13: 978-1591791522
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 4.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,232 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #33 in Books > Books on CD > Music
  • #63 in Books > Books on CD > Health, Mind & Body > Meditation
  • #83 in Books > Books on CD > Health, Mind & Body > Relaxation & Meditation

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gentle, contemplative Celtic instrumentals, October 1, 2006

By 

Brianna Neal (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Celtic Meditation Music (Audio CD)

Based on ancient Celtic prayers, the compositions featured on this album were conceived under the premise "If prayers were music, what would they sound like?" The gentle, familiar tunes, rendered on Minogue's sparkling Irish harp and accompanied by other acoustic and electronic instruments, are drawn from the traditional Celtic repertoire and the liner notes pair each song with the text of a prayer, either pagan/nature-based or Christian. This pairing of unrelated prayers with existing melodies is an interesting approach, especially considering that the tracks here are all instrumental, with none of the prayer words actually being spoken or sung. Minogue's earlier albums feature a lot of vocals, both hers and others', sometimes even done hymn-style in rich choral harmonies. So I'm not sure why the texts of the prayers couldn't have been incorporated somehow into this music. But nonetheless, "Celtic Meditation Music" is, like all of Aine Minogue's work that I'm familiar with, deftly orchestrated, supremely relaxing, and full of quiet beauty. This is good music for massage, resting, deep breathing, or just unwinding at the end of a long day. Then guest instrumentalists are cellist Eugene Friesen, whistle player Joanie Madden, clarinetist Tom Hill, string orchestrator Brad Hatfield, concertina player Brid Meany, guitarist Sheldon Mirowitz and electronic soundscape artist Randy Roos. For more Celtic-inspired instrumentals conducive to meditation, try Minogue's other works, and also the following: "Celtic Inspirations" by guitarist William Patterson, the Narada compilation albums "Celtic Treasure: The Legacy of Turlough O'Carolan" and "Celtic Treasure II: The Living Legacy of Turlough O'Carolan," and anything by Kim Robertson and Lisa Lynne, but particularly their early work.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Beautiful, January 4, 2007

By 

Katie "book worm" (PA , USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Celtic Meditation Music (Audio CD)

The music included on the "Celtic Meditation Music" CD is so soothing & hauntingly beautiful to me that I've barely listened to anything else for the last week - it's that good!

The liner notes are great as well. They share information about the various rituals, prayers, and poems that are behind each of the songs - it's really quite interesting!

Overall, I would highly recommend this CD to anyone who enjoys the sounds of celtic music, as well as those who are looking for music to relax to - it's absolutely beautiful!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Transportive and restorative, January 24, 2007

By 

loves2read (California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Celtic Meditation Music (Audio CD)

This is one of the most beautiful, restorative collections of Celtic music I have ever heard. Haunting, sublime harp, cello, guitar, flute, and soundscapes create an atomosphere of serenity for meditation, prayer, or simply unwinding the mind and emotions. The poetry which originated each selection is included and provides a meditation in itself. Highly recommended.