Customer Reviews

Invocation

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"Invocation" is a stupendous musical achievement. I say this as someone who, if you looked at my music collection, you would not expect ever to hear this music, much less to buy it twice (on cassette in 1996 and on CD last year). So I'll try to put into words the several things that hooked me: 1) The sweetest, most delicate soprano singing this side of heaven ("The Last Rose", sung by Sara Clancy and "Winter Fire and Snow" and "Siuil a Riun", sung by Katie McMahon). 2) Strange, disturbing, yet thrilling harmonies that seem to delve into deep layers of wonder and awe ("Sleepsong", "Quis Est Deus", and especially "Goltrai"). 3) Humorous male vocal shenanigans ("Hin Bara"). 4) Surges of dark, mysterious urgency and excitement ("Firi Na Greine/The Rising of the Sun", and my two favorite tracks "Heia Viri" and "Song of Oisin") 5) Harmonies that are so drop-dead gorgeous I have no words for them ("Innisfree").

If you're not familiar with Anuna, they were (as of this 1996 CD) an Irish ensemble of 19 men and women (only 12 pictured in the fold-out, most looking to be in their twenties), under the direction of Michael McGlynn who has arranged original interpretations of various forms of Irish vocal music of roughly the last thousand years, with minimal instrumentation. I asked a Celt-o-phile friend where these adventurous vocal harmonies come from and she explained that through the centuries the Irish always took harmonic liberties that were discouraged by the more regimented compositional styles of Britain and mainland Europe. I'm not sure where Anuna recorded, but the CD has that live-in-a-cathedral sound that is appropriate to the music. This was their second CD. I made my way backward from this CD to their first self-titled album "Anuna", which falls short of "Invocation" by only the slightest of margins, but I have not yet made my way forward to their more recent efforts. I have promoted this CD like a missionary, as I'm doing now. I've found to my astonishment some people I expected to like it did not share my enthusiasm. But if you're one who does, and this review helps you find it, then that is why I'm writing it.

I discovered the music of Anuna, quite by Fate, about 5 years ago--the first album I puchased was "Omnis"... The second album I purchased was "Invocation"--a fitting title, as the word invocation means "the act of...calling upon... a spirit... for inspiration". This album, like all other Anuna album's, invokes a spirit of Ireland that reaches across centuries, combining Medieval texts and Celtic fragments with modern choral harmonization and vocal arrangements, skillfully crafted and executed by Anuna's composer/director Michael McGlynn. I respectfully disagree with prior reviews that categorize Anuna as "Celtic-New Age". This music is unlike ANYTHING being offered in contemporary choral music anywhere in the world, and, being so innovative, it defies categorization--if I could put it in a category, it would be "Modern A Cappella Choral Music with an ancient Irish Twist". Be prepared for an aural experience that will inspire your imagination, challenge you musically, and tug at your heart, all at the same time!

While every track on this CD is a gem, it is the last one which perhaps best sums up the essence of "Invocation". Entitled "Wind on Sea", the text comes from the 6th century mystic poet Amergin Glungel who proclaimed,
"I am the wind that breathes on the sea
I am the wave on the ocean
Who but I can cast light upon the meeting of the mountains?
Who but I will cry aloud the changes of the moon?
Who but I can find the place where hides away the Sun?"

Regardless of one's personal spirituality or belief system, "Invocation" provides a welcome respite from the cacaphony of today's daily demands. This is music unlike anything you have ever heard before--it will most definitely leave you in a different place from where you begin with it. And, wouldn't that be the point of any good invocation?

Enjoy!

I recommend this album as the starter for anyone's budding Anuna collection. Although I have enjoyed other Anuna CDs, this one is unique in that I find its music exactly as enthralling as it was the day I bought it. Director Michael McGlynn's original songs and traditional arrangements are nothing short of amazing. I've never seen a choral group of Anuna's kind, and I don't think any group can equal their talent. If you want to see new life breathed into ancient Latin chants and Irish traditional songs, try this (and all the others)!

Then this is the album for you. The songs are fully realized through their incrediby beautiful choral arrangements. An eery addition of a uillean pipe/flute/guitar/fiddle in a few of the songs adds to a very definitive mood. Although I well recognized a few Celtic classics on the album, the arrangements, though true to the song, somehow update the sound. And the production is impeccable. A Must-Have for a relaxing, moody, candle-lit evening!

Heavenly voices of beautiful chants, mystical celtic flutes and harpes. The Song are very moody, spiritual and uplifting to listen too. This is one of my favorite CD's.

Then this is the album for you. The songs are fully realized through their incrediby beautiful choral arrangements. An eery addition of a uillean pipe/flute/guitar/fiddle in a few of the songs adds to a very definitive mood. Although I well recognized a few Celtic classics on the album, the arrangements, though true to the song, somehow update the sound. And the production is impeccable. A Must-Have for a relaxing, moody, candle-lit evening!

Like most US Anuna fans, I was first introduced to their music when I saw Riverdance on PBS, and since that day many years ago, I have never stopped listening to this amazing Irish choral group. I have sung in choir ever since I was in fifth grade, and I can tell you that this is one of the best I've ever heard. Their sound is pure and totally integrated, meaning one part never sticks out and the whole is completely in tune. And it is a testament to Michael McGlynn's amazing talent that despite the constantly shifting membership, this choir never loses its blend; the harmonies are so closely woven together that the sound is as one voice. It quite literally takes my breath away.

Invocation, Anuna's second CD, is a wonderful introduction to their music and quite worth anything you might spend. I've had my CD for many years and I listen to it quite regularly. There are many good songs; listen for the soloist Eimear Quinn on "Sleepsong;" she won the Eurovision Song Contest. Also listen for the soloist Katie McMahon on "The Last Rose;" she was the soloist for the beginning shows of Riverdance. And finally, listen for Michael himself on "Wind on Sea," with the most butter-smooth voice I've heard in a long time. Bottom line: if you love choral music, you'll never regret this purchase.

If I had a choice of ten discs to take with me to a desert island this one would definitely be included. I don't think that I could ever get tired of listening to this gorgeous ethereal piece of music. It puts me in a headspace like no other disc that I own.

Like most US Anuna fans, I was first introduced to their music when I saw Riverdance on PBS, and since that day many years ago, I have never stopped listening to this amazing Irish choral group. I have sung in choir ever since I was in fifth grade, and I can tell you that this is one of the best I've ever heard. Their sound is pure and totally integrated, meaning one part never sticks out and the whole is completely in tune. And it is a testament to Michael McGlynn's amazing talent that despite the constantly shifting membership, this choir never loses its blend; the harmonies are so closely woven together that the sound is as one voice. It quite literally takes my breath away.

Invocation, Anuna's second CD, is a wonderful introduction to their music and quite worth anything you might spend. I've had my CD for many years and I listen to it quite regularly. There are many good songs; listen for the soloist Eimear Quinn on "Sleepsong;" she won the Eurovision Song Contest. Also listen for the soloist Katie McMahon on "The Last Rose;" she was the soloist for the beginning shows of Riverdance. And finally, listen for Michael himself on "Wind on Sea," with the most butter-smooth voice I've heard in a long time. Bottom line: if you love choral music, you'll never regret this purchase.

And so it is.

Anuna is one of the few artists that I heard perform live before I ever heard them on record. This always seems to increase the impact of their music. And beautiful voices always get to me - Hayley Westenra is another singer who I first heard live and she is still my favourite singer of all time.
I heard Anuna perform live at the De Montfort Hall, Leicester a few years ago. My companions didn't seem to get them, but I was blown away. Amazing, unique music, like nothing I had heard before.
Afterwards, some members of the choir were in the Foyer signing things. They had a number of different CDs for sale, and I asked one of the singers which one she would recommend. She suggested this one, "Invocation", and I duly parted with my money.
I have never regretted it. This is a fabulous album, and I would like to hear more of their music. Unfortunately, they don't often perform in England, which is a pity.
What can I say. Not only is the heritage behind these songs fascinating, the standard of the performance, the voices, are wonderful. And live they create some ncredible effects.
For me the only problem is where to go next - what other album of their to buy that I won't be disappointed with. Probably I would love them all, but there a quite a few to choose from.