A new series of Cuan an Cheoil, a radio series presented by Liam Ó Maonlaí and produced by Stiúideo Cuan for RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, kicks off on Thursday at 7pm as part of RnaG's autumn schedule - watch a preview above.
Each week, Liam will be joined by a musical guest or guests for a chat and an informal music session, over an hour and a half.
The series was recorded in Stiúideo Cuan, the new creative arts and music centre looking out over the sea in An Spidéal, Co. Galway. The location, far from the madding crowds, imbues the series with an informal and unhurried atmosphere, allowing for spontaneity, improvisation and unexpected turns of conversation, and resulting in a disarming openness at times from the musicians in conversation with Liam.
Is féidir le héisteoirí a bheith ag súil le hatmaisféar teolaí, pearsanta, machnamhach sna cláracha, agus deir Liam gur 'comhrá ceolmhar’ a bheidh le cloisteáil ag éisteoirí na sraithe, seachas ceolchoirm.
Talented fiddler and violinist Aoife Ní Bhriain is the guest for the first programme on Thursday 22nd September at 7pm. Born in Dublin to a family of musicians, Aoife has collaborated and performed with musicians such as pianist Eliso Virsaladze, fiddle player Martin Hayes, Welsh harpist Catrin Finch, jazz guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel and Oscar winning actor Tim Robbins. She is a member of the avant-garde string quintet Wooden Elephant as well as the Goodman Trio.
Cuan an Cheoil - watch an episode from the last series
Deir Liam: "Fuair mé an-spreagadh ó chomhluadar na gceoltóirí sa tsraith seo, agus bhí gach uile clár éagsúil ón gceann a chuaigh roimhe mar gheall ar na daoine a bhí i gceist. Tá aithne agam ar go leor de na ceoltóirí seo, agus feiceann muid a chéile in aerfoirt agus ag coirmeacha ceoil, agus deir muid go minic go mbeadh sé go deas suí síos tamaillín le chéile uair éigin ... agus thug Cuan an Cheoil an deis sin dúinn – suí síos agus a bheith ag comhrá lena chéile agus ag casadh ceoil le chéile. Bhain mé an-sásamh as." Deir an Léiritheoir Sraithe Darach Mac Con Iomaire:
"Is í an fhís a bhí agam don tsraith seo, ardán nua a chruthú d’ealaíontóirí na tíre seo nascadh le pobal níos leithne. Bhí sé iontach a bheith ag obair le plúr na gceoltóirí agus iad i gcuideachta an maestro, Liam Ó Maonlaí, agus iad ag tomadh i ndomhan an cheoil le chéile."
"It has been a real privilege to work with such incredible artists, fiddle virtuosos Aoife Ní Bhriain, Nollaig Casey and Paddy Glackin; sean-nós singers Nell Ní Chróinín & Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin; concertina masters Caitlín Nic Gabhann, Cormac Begley & Edel Fox, legendary composer Charlie Lennon and the wonderful musical family of Odhrán, Sibéal & Seathrún Ó Casaide."
"Augmented by beautifully-shot footage of the entire recording process, this series gives audiences a unique opportunity to hear the best of traditional music on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, or to watch it live online, which is made possible by BAI Digital First funding."
"Tá Stiúideo Cuan thar a bheith buíoch don tacaíocht leanúnach atá á fháil againn ó RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta agus an BAI."
Is liosta le háireamh na ceoltóirí eile a bheas le cloisteáil sa tsraith deich gclár seo: Cormac Begley & Eoin Ó Beaglaoich; Nollaig & Mairéad Casey; Charlie & Éilís Lennon; Nell Ní Chróinín; Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin & Saileog Ní Cheannabháin; Edel Fox & Caoimhín Ó Fearghail; Muitir Uí Chasaide - Odhrán, Seathrún & Sibéal Ní Chasaide; Caitlín Nic Gabhann & Antóin Mac Gabhann agus Paddy Glackin & Dónal Lunny.
Cuan an Cheoil will be broadcast every Thursday from 7pm – 8.30pm. A visual stream of the programme will be available on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta’s YouTube and Facebook accounts, as well as here on RTÉ Culture and via rte.ie/gaeilge.
