RTÉ lyric fm's Paul Herriott presents the world broadcast premiere of Sweeney, a song cycle composed by Neil Martin based on Seamus Heaney's Sweeney Astray.
David Brophy conducts the RTÉ Concert Orchestra with Iarla Ó Lionáird (vocals) and Stephen Rea (narrator).
With a text in both English and Irish, Sweeney stems from Heaney's translation of the 7th century Irish saga, Buile Shuibhne.
With a text in both English and Irish, Sweeney stems from Heaney's translation of the 7th century Irish saga, Buile Shuibhne.
It speaks to issues we continue to grapple with today: the clash between the natural and man-made world, and the role of race, religion and family in how we interact with each other.
