Michael McGlynn

Michael McGlynn (b. 1964, Dublin) is a prominent Irish composer, arranger, and choral director known for his unique fusion of traditional Irish music, medieval influences, and contemporary choral styles. His work combines modal scales, ornamentation, and drones with modern harmonic techniques, including jazz-inspired chords, mild dissonances, and innovative interpretations of texts.

Key Contributions

Founder of ANÚNA

• In 1987, McGlynn founded the acclaimed Irish choral ensemble ANÚNA.
• The group's repertoire focuses almost exclusively on his compositions.
• ANÚNA has recorded 16 albums, with notable releases such as:
  • "Anúna" (1993)
  • "Celtic Origins" (2007)
  • "Christmas Memories" (2008)
• Their album "Deep Dead Blue" (1999) was nominated for a Classical Brit Award and reached the top five in the UK Classical Charts.

Instrumental Works

• McGlynn's instrumental compositions include "Behind the Closed Eye", written for the Ulster Orchestra.

Agnus Dei (2007)

• Commissioned by Chanticleer for their work "And on Earth Peace: A Chanticleer Mass."
• Demonstrates McGlynn's ability to blend tonal, modal, and dissonant elements in a contemporary choral setting.

Musical Style

McGlynn's music is characterised by:

Irish Traditional Features:

• Use of modal scales like the Dorian mode.
• Ornamentation and drones reflective of Irish and medieval traditions.
• Incorporation of Irish language and themes.

Contemporary Features:

• Changing time signatures (e.g., 7/8, 11/8) and irregular rhythms.
• Harmonies featuring jazz-tinged chords and mild dissonances.
• Choral techniques such as antiphonal singing (soloist answered by choir).

Dúlamán: A Case Study

Dúlamán is one of McGlynn's most famous works, blending Irish traditional music with modern choral styles. It appears on ANÚNA's album "OMNIS."

Irish Features in Dúlamán:

• Dorian Mode: The piece is based on this modal scale, commonly used in Irish music.
• Irish Lyrics: The song is sung in Irish and is based on a traditional nonsense song about seaweed used for fertiliser in old Ireland.
• Traditional Elements:
  • The melody has the lilt of a jig, with 6/8 rhythms.
  • Solo, unaccompanied vocal passages reflect the sean nós tradition.

Non-Irish Features in Dúlamán:

• Choral Setting: The use of a choir (instead of solo singing) and harmonised parts is a classical feature.
• Changing Time Signatures: Irregular rhythms (7/8, 11/8) are not typical of traditional Irish music but are common in contemporary music.
• Antiphonal Singing: The call-and-response style is reminiscent of African and jazz influences.
• Harmonic Techniques: Mild dissonances and "spicy" harmonies give the piece a contemporary flavour.

Philosophy on Irish Music

McGlynn emphasises that he is not a traditionalist and does not aim to preserve Irish traditional music in its pure form. Instead, he creates impressions of Irish music by blending elements from different traditions and periods.

Legacy

• Michael McGlynn has redefined Irish choral music by bridging the gap between tradition and modernity.
• His work with ANÚNA has brought Irish music to international audiences, showcasing its adaptability and relevance in a contemporary context.

Exam Tips

• Describe McGlynn's Style: Highlight his use of traditional Irish elements (e.g., Dorian mode, ornamentation) alongside modern techniques (e.g., time signature changes, dissonances).
• Use Dúlamán as an Example: Be prepared to explain its Irish and non-Irish features.
• Link to ANÚNA: Mention how his compositions are performed by this ensemble and their significance in modern Irish music.
• Philosophy: Understand McGlynn's approach to music as a blend of impressions rather than strict traditionalism. Michael McGlynn's innovative compositions continue to enrich Irish music, balancing its heritage with global, contemporary influences.