The Children of Lir

Patrick Cassidy

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 12, 1997)
• Original Release Date: 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca U.S.
• ASIN: B000005B30
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #411,296 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Grave

2. Tuath de Danann

3. Amach Daoibh a Chlann an Righ

4. Mairseail Righ Lir

5. Mochean Do Mharcshluaigh Na N-Each

6. Croidhe Lir 'Na Chrotal Cro

7. Ceileabhradh Dhuit a Bhuidhbh Oheirg

8. Olc an Bheatha Seo

9. Marcradh Shiodha

10. Go Rinn Iorrais Iartharaigh

11. Iongnadh Liom an Baile Seo

12. Eistigh Re Clog an Chleirigh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Yes, you have the right page! :-), February 21, 2001

By	Liz Ireland (Athens, GA USA) - See all my reviews

What? Nobody's reviewed this yet? Well, permit me. If you, like a lot of people, were blown away by Patrick's amazing operatic duet "Vide Cor Meum" on the "Hannibal" soundtrack, you may be a bit surprised to find this title listed under "pop". Aren't we all. But yes, you've come to the right place - this is *that* Patrick Cassidy, and Children of Lir represents his major-label debut - quite a while ago now! Not in the least "pop", it is in fact a neo-baroque oratorio telling the Irish legend of the Children of Lir, who were turned into swans by a spiteful stepmother. Admirably performed by the LSO, choir and soloists, not-so-well-recorded at EMI/Abbey Road (Patrick's stuff was *made* for the warmer, more intimate sound of AIR Lyndhurst, as the Hannibal soundtrack testifies), the music here is well-constructed technically, musically quite alluring, and has some inspired moments that clearly permit the discerning listener to see the potential for a brilliant future career. To me, the standout track is still the "broken fugue" "Iongnadh Liom An Baile Seo" - there's a particular modulation in there which had me convinced, the first time I heard it, that this guy is a genius. I remain convinced. Buy the Hannibal soundtrack first, but then buy this - it's a fascinating glimpse into the development of a talented young composer who is going to be huge - just huge.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars From he who created "Vide Cor Meum", October 5, 2001

By	"bigmikedc" (Sugar Hill, GA United States) - See all my reviews

As many may guessed, this is not an ancient composer who has been dead since the 1700's or further back, but from a fairly new, young, and certainly promising New Age composer. Yes, I admit, I fell for it like everyone else did. You know what I'm talking about, we watch Hannibal, and we hear that particular piece where the opera scene takes place and we are awe struck by it's beauty and we then think to ourselves "How could someone with my classical knowledge have missed this in the operatic/vocal world"?

I couldn't figure out how when so many other famous musical inserts from operatic and choral works are used in movies, how this one was the first time I had heard it's use in a fairly new movie such as Hannibal. Surely, such a piece like this would have been used and re-used much like the "Dies Irae" in Verdi's opera, or the "O Fortuna" from Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana". I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone for a bit. Then, when the credits came up I paused the DVD. There it was, the composer. Patrick who?

So I therefore, like so many others have/will, decided I needed to investigate on this composer more. I pulled this CD up during a search on Borders.com for this composer. I hesitated at first, but then, I decided to buy this bad boy. Know what? I dont regret it at all. To the contrary, this man has potential and promise in the years ahead of him. Actually, my only real regret is that it's almost over as soon as it began. The entire CD is about 45 minutes. Dont let that stop you, the London Symphony Orchestra and Tallis Chamber Choir do a great performance, though there is something about the recording itself thats a little off as may have already been pointed. Not the fault of Cassidy or the performers though. I have respect for this talent.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This proves Cassidys THE modern baroque operatic composer, April 28, 2001

By	jashcr1 (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

Simply marvelous. I first came upon Mr. Cassidy's name when I was trying to place the composer of the opera within 'Hannibal'. I saw the opportunity to buy this CD as I knew that from 'Vide Cor Meum' Cassidy was no lightweight, and so I did. Easily one of the best music purchases of my life, the Children of Lir is truely an outstanding work. He carefully blends classical opera and Irish lore, producing a longing feeling in the heart. I was astounded by the score, and had to check more than once that I was not listening to one of the masters. After many listenings, I have realized that I was wrong - I WAS listening to one of the masters. Hail Patrick Cassidy! Touted the Irish Mozart, and yet so very young still. Expect wonders to come from this miraculous Irish composer.