Essential Anuna CD

The Original Riverdance Singers

Anúna: Kim Lynch, Miriam Blennerhassett, Michael McGlynn, John McGlynn, Monica Donlon, Lucy Champion, Garrath Patterson, Lynn Hilary, Joanna Fagan, Sarah O Kennedy, Derina Johnson (vocals).
Personnel: John McGlynn (guitar); Dennis Kelly , Anne-Marie O'Farrell (harp); Aingeala DeBurca (violin); Declan Masterson (tin whistle, Uilleann pipe); Kenneth Edge (saxophone); Bernard Reilly, Noel Eccles (percussion).
Recording information: Switzerland (1993-2004); Windmill Lane Studios (1993-2004).
Director: John McGlynn.
Arrangers: John McGlynn; Michael McGlynn.
Anuna have come a long way since their debut in Bill Whelan's Celtic dance extravaganza Riverdance. Composer Michael McGlynn and his choral ensemble have since collaborated with artists such as Sinéad O'Connor, the Chieftains, Sting, Máire Brennan, and Elvis Costello, as well as release their own music, the best of which can be found here on Essential Anuna. Anuna's ethereal blend of Middle English, Scots Gaelic, Irish, Breton, Medieval Irish, Latin, and Greek choral music is infused with modern sensibilities. McGlynn's compositions have an almost jazz-like dimension to them, an effect that often leads the group into mid-'60s Sergio Mendes/Ray Conniff Singers territory, while retaining a respectable level of sublime seriousness. Essential Anuna is just that, a 19-track career overview of the eclectic group that provides a balanced selection of traditional ("Siúil, A Rúin") and contemporary ("Blue Bird") songs, and even a cover (Elvis Costello's "Deep Dead Blue"). The CD serves as an excellent introduction to this talented -- and constantly rotating -- group of young Irish singers. ~ James Christopher Monger
ESSENTIAL ANUNA is a career overview of the compelling Celtic choral ensemble. At 19 tracks, ESSENTIAL is a generous compilation of Anuna's output, highlighting its dramatic, artful explorations of medieval choral music that encompasses Irish, Latin, Greek, and Scots Gaelic traditions. On paper, Anuna's pan-historical and cross-cultural interests sound like a scattershot approach for a group, yet in practice the music works beautifully, thanks mostly to composer Michael McGlynn's challenging, meticulous arrangements and the gorgeous blend of tones achieved by Anuna's members.
Anuna dabbles in traditional church music ("Christus Resurgens"), Irish folk ("The Flower of Maherally"), and McGlynn's own 21st-century updates of these forms ("Victimae"). The group even takes a turn at an Elvis Costello and Bill Frisell tune entitled "Deep Dead Blue" (which Anuna imbues with an appropriately haunting and eerie cast). Though the personnel of Anuna is constantly rotating (the ensemble averages around 15 singers), its sound is never less than full and seamlessly integrated. Anuna makes evocative music that feels ancient, contemporary, and timeless at once, and ESSENTIAL is an ideal way to sample its talents.