Ripples in the Rockpools from "Graunuaile" by Shaun Davey
Grace O'Malley - "Graunuaile"
Rita Connolly
Granuaile is based on the life of 'Pirate Queen' Grace O'Malley, the 16th century Irish woman chieftain whose galleys dominated the seas off the Mayo coast. With all its passion adventure, drama and pain, Shaun Davey found an ideal subject for his lyrical, evocative, highly human work. In singer Rita Connolly, with a voice of the purity of crystal, he found the ideal Grace O'Malley. Together they have made the legend of 'Granuaile' (Grace O'Malley in Irish) come vividly to life. 'The Granuaile Suite' (1985) sets an episode of Irish history in the context of wider European history through a work which appeals to music lovers of all ages. One song in the cycle, 'Ripples in the Rockpools' quickly became a popular classic.
Shaun Davey
The first of Shaun Davey's concert works, 'The Brendan Voyage', made its debut in 1980. Since that time, he has been recognised as one of Ireland's leading composers of music that combines popular appeal with genuine cultural significance. In a parallel career, he is in demand both at home and abroad to produce scores for theatre, film and television.
Born in Belfast and living in Dublin, it is perhaps part of Shaun's persona to cross boundaries. He has chosen, in his concert works, to explore the turning points in Irish History, celebrating that which unites rather than divides the Celtic people. Large numbers of the music loving public are prepared to take this journey with him. Standing ovations at sell-out concerts are a commonplace reaction to The Brendan Voyage, The Pilgrim, Granuaile, 'Concerto for Uilleann Pipes and Orchestra', The Relief of Derry Symphony, the 'Concerto for Two Harps ' and Gulliver, A Choral Symphony .
Born in Belfast and living in Dublin, it is perhaps part of Shaun's persona to cross boundaries. He has chosen, in his concert works, to explore the turning points in Irish History, celebrating that which unites rather than divides the Celtic people. Large numbers of the music loving public are prepared to take this journey with him. Standing ovations at sell-out concerts are a commonplace reaction to The Brendan Voyage, The Pilgrim, Granuaile, 'Concerto for Uilleann Pipes and Orchestra', The Relief of Derry Symphony, the 'Concerto for Two Harps ' and Gulliver, A Choral Symphony .
Style
A glance at the ensemble above gives a clue to the style of Davey's music. Obviously there's an orchestra so the music is going to have a classical flavour. Notice however the musicians dressed differently at the front of the group, separate from the orchestra. There's an uilleann piper, a solo fiddler, a singer, a guitarist, an Irish Harper.
The full range of instruments in Ripples in the Rockpools is as follows;
flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon.
horn, trumpet.
xylophone, timpani, piano, congas,
harp, strings, guitar and pipes.
The style of the music is a mixture between classical, folk and traditional.
The tonality is modal, the texture is mostly homophonic.
Ripples in the rockpools is 1 movement in the Granuaile Suite.
A Suite is a collection of contrasting dance movement
A glance at the ensemble above gives a clue to the style of Davey's music. Obviously there's an orchestra so the music is going to have a classical flavour. Notice however the musicians dressed differently at the front of the group, separate from the orchestra. There's an uilleann piper, a solo fiddler, a singer, a guitarist, an Irish Harper.
The full range of instruments in Ripples in the Rockpools is as follows;
flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon.
horn, trumpet.
xylophone, timpani, piano, congas,
harp, strings, guitar and pipes.
The style of the music is a mixture between classical, folk and traditional.
The tonality is modal, the texture is mostly homophonic.
Ripples in the rockpools is 1 movement in the Granuaile Suite.
A Suite is a collection of contrasting dance movement
The 2 Bar INTRODUCTION in 4/4 time features Violai and celli playing repeated Bs.
The VERSES alternate between 7/8 4/4 and 2/4.
The 1st 2 bars are a Sequence Listen to the guitar strum at the start of verse 1 and 2 and notice the strings are still playing in the background.
Verses1and2
The 1st 2 bars are a Sequence Listen to the guitar strum at the start of verse 1 and 2 and notice the strings are still playing in the background.
Verses1and2
The CHORUS features alternating 7/8 and 4/4 bars. There is harmony backing vocals and a full guitar strum.
The 3 bar "bridge" at the end of the chorus features the woodwind instruments, flute oboe and clarinet, and also a xylpohone. Again note the unusual time signatures.
The 3 bar "bridge" at the end of the chorus features the woodwind instruments, flute oboe and clarinet, and also a xylpohone. Again note the unusual time signatures.
The other verses are different from verse 1 and 2 in that they have harmony vocals and a full guitar strum. Notice the strings and piano chords in the background. The rising scale on flute and clarinet at the end of the verse is an example of "word painting" to illustrate the words "wind is surely rising".
After verses 5 and 6 there is an extended instrumental section beore returning to the last 2 choruses. Most of this section is a reel, (4/4) an Irish dance tune featuring the uilleann pipes. Notice the syncopated rhythms heard in the orchestral accompaniment.