Colmcille by Janet Harbison and The Belfast Harp Orchestra

A Commemoration of St. Columba in Plainsong, Poetry & Harp Music. Composed and directed by Janet Harbison. Featuring the Belfast Harp Orchestra with Mairead Healy (soprano) and St. Killian's Choir.

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1997 - The Year of Saint Columba or Colmcille

St. Columba (or Colmcille) died on 9th June 597. He was the founder of a great monastic tradition. Hundreds of monasteries throughout these islands owed their origins to him or his followers. Places suchas Derry, Durrow, Raphoe and Tory in Ireland: Iona, Dunkeld, Kirkcolom and Inchcolm in Scotland; Lindisfarne, Melrose and even Ripon and Durham in England, were associated with his tradition. Outstanding works of knowledge, literature and visual art were created in the Columban monasteries; some of them - such as the magnificent Book of Kells - almost certainly made to mark previous anniversaries of the saint.

Colum CilleCeolmbar - 'Colmcille the musical' was one of the many names by which he was rernernbered. He himself, wrote hymns and his singing voice was believed to have had miraculous powers. Many musical works, both religious and secular, in honour of (or referring to) him have been composed in the interval since he died. This beautiful work by Janet Harbison is, therefore, a very fitting tribute for the 14th centenary of the saints death.

One notable feature of this album is that, rather than in a studio, it was recorded in a number of places of worship historically associated with the saint; St. Augustine's in Derry: St. Columba's in Knock, Belfast; Iona Abbey; and the Parish of Mullagh and Cross near Kells. In the sixth century Columba crossed many barriers of geography, religion, politics and language. Today, Colmcille - 'the dove of the church' - is a timely example and symbol for us all.

Dr. Brian Lacey

JANET HARBISON - Composer & Director

Janet Harbison, founder and director of the Belfast Harp Orchestra, has a significant reputation in leading the revival of Irish harping and in promoting the continuity of the oral tradition. While an eminent traditional harper, she is also recognised as an accomplished classical and jazz musician - and she brings all her musical experience into her innovative, yet still very Irish style of composition to small and large scale works. Her work with the Harp Orchestra and the Harp Foundation has also played a widely acknowledged role in providing a platform for the celebration of both political and cultural, music and dance traditions in Ulster by embracing both their gentle and extreme elements in all their variations. The focus on St.Columba also allows for the celebration of he Celtic Christian tradition from the time before church divisions.

Founded in 1993, St. Killian's Choir is the parish choir of Mullagh and Cross in County Cavan, situated in the district of Kells, where the illumination of St.Columba's commemorative gospels were initiated. St.Killian was born in Mullagh just over 40 years after the death of Columba, and in the same evangelical tradition, he set out to bring Christianity to Europe where he was eventually martyred in 689 AD. St.Killian's Choir recently visited and performed in Wurtzburg, a German city particularly associated with St.Killian and have been featured on Bavarian TV as well as RTE in honour of the historic occasion. The Choir is jointly conducted by parish curate, Father Charlie O'Gorman and local national school teacher, Miss Breeda Mahon.

George Holmes hails originally from Lisburn, County Antrim but has been settled in Groomsport, County Down for many years now. While serving as a narrator on this production, George is best known for his Lambeg Drumming, an art passed on to him

from a very early age by his grandfather and also from the celebrated drum maker Billy Hewitt. He has contributed to a number of TV and radio programmes on the Lambeg Drum and was involved in the making of the films Cal, and The Lost Belonging, both of which featured the instrument. In addition to Lambeg Drums. George plays a range of other instruments, bedhran, banjo, mandoline and guitar.

Acknowledgements (Composition)
Janet Harbison would like to record her thanks to Fr Harry Coyle, Dr Brian Lacey, Dr Alan Taverner, the Cappella Nova, the Liverpool Cathedral, the Oxford Book of Irish Poetry. Janet's mother Eleanor Harbison who made the recording possible, and Saint Columba himself for inspiration and assistance in the composition, performance and recording of this work.

Acknowledgements (Production)
Janet records her great appreciation of the artistic and technical advice of Patrick Dalgety, the Engineer and essentially co-producer of this production. Thanks also to his partner Debra Salem for her patient support and advice. Finally a special thanks to Donald Neil of Priory Press for the cover design.

Acknowledgements (General)
Many thanks to Rev. Gregor McCamley of St. Columba's Church, Knock, Belfast; Rev. Rosemary Logue of St. Augustine's Church, Derry; and Rev. Charlie O'Gorman of St. Killian's Church, Mullagh, Kells, and the Iona Abbey Community for their generous assistance and the use of their places of worship in which we recorded this album. Thanks also to the Belfast School of Music for their orchestra's tubular bells and to Mr Thomas Donaghy for his prayer bell.

This album is dedicated to Daniel Harbison who died aged 10 months in April 1996 for whom Suantrai was originally composed.

Belfast. November 1997

Colmcille
The Columban Suite
Composed by Janet Harbison

Note: The full text of the works, which are reproduced in the CD book are not yet included on this page.