Of Traditional Music

32.

In order to explain the flamenco term duende to the Irish, I think one might say that duende is that magic moment when the professional musician in concert manages to play at the same level and with the same feeling as a non-professional playing in a pub.

33.

I think there are very few countries where non-professional musicians can play better than the professionals. Ireland is certainly one of these countries.

34.

Irish traditional music is not simple folklore but a music which has certainly evolved to the level of "great" European music. The only difference lies in the fact that western music has developed the least important part of man - the aesthetic-rational dimension; celtic music, on the other hand, has developed the ancestral, the essential and eternal.

35.

Even Irish music has its folklore element such as, for example, the ballad of the market square and the pubs. Of course, they have a different feel from sean nos, but it is an error to consider them inferior or even to abhor them as some musicians do, even my own friends, because in life "there is a time for everything"; and anyway there is more poetry in a genuine drinking song in a pub than in a euphoric chase after notes, when all that's expressed is a virtuosity full of attention seeking and petty competitiveness, but no love.

36.

There are two things which can kill Irish traditional music; one is the contamination of those who aim only at success and cash, and the other is the exclusive and snobbish attitude of the purists.

37.

The people of Cork in my opinion speak the most beautiful, sensual and musical English, not only in Ireland but in the world. Yet, and I don't know why, the inhabitants of this gracious and pleasant city suffer from a deep inferiority complex (snobbism is always caused by a feeling of inferiority). Indeed, when Corkonians go to a concert, they don't go to listen but rather to judge.

38.

It only takes a few minutes to write a song but to write a real song takes a lifetime. A real song (such as a traditional Irish song) is greater than a symphony. But how few today are real songs!

39.

The best American music of the 60's & 70's was to a great extent rooted in Irish music. How come most of today's songwriters in Ireland instead of drawing inspiration from their own roots seek to imitate the worst of American music? I know and have known Irish musicians and singers who, when they sing the traditional songs of their land, were elegant, refined and above all original. Today they sing their songs in rock or country style and so, instead of being extraordinary, unique and original interpreters, they prefer to become common songwriters.

40.

Ronnie Drew never claimed to have written his own songs and for this reason he has remained a poet.

41.

Nietsche said: "Without music, life would be a mistake". I love the sound of a stream more than a Mozart concerto, the twittering of a bird more than a Bach cantata and the rustling of the wind as much as a sweet Irish melody, and I would rather say: "Without life, music would be a mistake."

42.

To the conformist who tells me that you certainly can't compare a Beethoven symphony to a tune on the Irish pipes I reply: "Look at a lily of the field; not even Solomon in all his glory was ever dressed like one of those!"

43.

Ireland is a land of musical geniuses; that's why it has never had a place in the history of music.

44.

If a traditional Irish Singer wanted to sing opera it'd be enough to have a good pair of lungs, to give up smoking, and to study for a couple of years. But an opera singer - perhaps even Pavarotti (when young) - would have to be reincarnated at least three times to be able to sing a sean nos song.
Sin a bhfuil

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