LIVE REVIEWS
The Sounds are Around
Somerset County Gazette 4th March 2005
Anúna in performance at the Brewhouse, Taunton, Somerset - U.K.
FOURTEEN beautiful haunting voices created a perfect calm over the audience at the Brewhouse on Friday night. Singing for most of the time without any instrumental accompaniment, Irish choral group Anúna's incredibly moving music filled every corner of the theatre. The ladies looked demure wearing long black cloaks and holding candles. During some songs they walked slowly and gracefully around the auditorium, creating an incredible surround sound effect that was both serene and oddly disconcerting.Songs were in Gaelic, Latin, Spanish or English. One Gaelic song, Dúlamán, was apparently the word for 'seaweed' repeated over and over again. Sanctus was the first of many songs they sang for the English rugby team! The Spanish Ríu Ríu, sung by the men was terrific. Old favourites Gaudete, Jerusalem and Pie Jesu were well received, as were Winter Fire and Snow and The Blue Bird (their signature tune).
The evening had the potential to be a bit 'heavy; but was always lightened with cheery Irish banter between songs. Joking references to the English rugby team; a game of 'pass-the-candle' as they decided who was going to sing the next song; and a guitar so badly out of tune that they gave up and sang something else. Finally they sang their 'spontaneous rehearsed' encores (i.e. they didn't bother to go out and come back in again). I hadn't quite known what to expect from Anúna and I was left a little stunned by the whole experience. A superb evening.
This is Worcestershire
Friday 11 February 2005
Anúna Review: Malvern Theatres
ANÚNA, a charismatic group of singers which created the original sounds of Riverdance, has lost none of its magnetism. Entering in total darkness, a lone mezzo voice diffused the atmosphere. Others began to harmonise, then sang in stunning unilateral fourths and fifths, until harmonies were heard spaced around the auditorium. From this magnetic opening an evening of pleasure emanated, introduced by an endearing chap, who was the epitome of Irish charm and wit. Solos were incorporated into the programme, each sung most beautifully. One young lady, who sang Gaudete against a background of other singers harmonising, had been a previous winner of Choir Girl of the Year.
Other admirable inclusions were Love of my Heart [A Stór mo Chroí], a moving mezzo solo in folk-song style with humming accompaniment, an emotional rendering of emigration, a slow, plaintive love song, and Siúil a Rúin, a lilting Irish ballad accompanied by guitar as well as the other singers. Church representations embraced solo plainsong, Sanctus, begun as a solo from the platform, then given echo effects from other singers placed round the hall, and Pie Jesu, a choral piece of wonderful, close chromatic harmonies.Anúna's delivery of a 1601 version of Jerusalem was truly amazing. The singing musicians walked slowly among the audience, then the ladies began similar vocal lines at delayed intervals. Sung thus, the ornate phrases, containing numerous grace-note decorations produced an enchanting, shimmering crystalline effect. Finally, a superbly sustained performance of Stanford's The Blue Bird, and some rapid-fire Irish mouth music from our engaging compere.
Jill Hopkins