Irish Composer Puts a Modern Spin on Classic Tunes
Pianist David Vesey breathes new life into the works of 18th-century Irish composer Turlough O’Carolan with his debut album, Carolan Reflections.
Vesey, originally from Laois, Ireland, has long been captivated by the music of O’Carolan, considered Ireland’s most celebrated harpist and composer. His journey with O’Carolan’s melodies began in childhood, learning the tunes on the tin whistle under the tutelage of his primary school teacher, John O’Brien. His connection deepened through his involvement with Spink Comhaltas, where Paula Dowling McDonald further instilled a love for O’Carolan’s work.
Carolan Reflections, a 12-track album, is the culmination of this lifelong passion. It sees Vesey, not only performing but also writing and arranging the tracks, blending classical piano with traditional Irish influences to offer a fresh perspective on O’Carolan’s compositions.
[Image of David Vesey playing the piano]
"I feel privileged to share my arrangements of O’Carolan’s music," says Vesey. “These reflections are personal in nature, representing my relationship with O’Carolan as a composer and also broader reflections on Irish identity. I hope these arrangements will bring O’Carolan’s music to new audiences and continue his legacy in a modern context.”
Vesey’s interpretation is also significant because it highlights O’Carolan’s unique position at the intersection of Irish traditional music and the European baroque tradition.
"O’Carolan was alive at the time of composers like Vivaldi, Handel and Bach," Vesey explains. "His music bridges the gap between the Irish traditional and classical worlds. The harp, O’Carolan’s chosen instrument, shares many similarities with the piano, and through the piano I aim to continue a tradition started by figures like Seán Ó Riada and Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, who brought O’Carolan’s music into new realms.”
Carolan Reflections is available on CD and all major streaming platforms, offering a captivating blend of tradition and contemporaneity for music lovers worldwide.
