Choir & Organ

“In the beginning was the Word”, and the word is of paramount importance to Irish composer and pedagogue John Buckley. The poetry he sets is picked assiduously – Shelley, Keats, Yeats, Emily Brontë, Lewis Carroll, Michael Hartnett, 9th century Irish texts. Taking such meticulous care to be true to the intentions of the poet can run the danger of restricting the composer. Buckley’s writing is skilfully crafted and full of Celtic ornamentation. Chromaticism plays an important part in these settings which he uses creatively and there are enjoyable touches of humour: nevertheless, the music comes across as the composer’s own personal meditation and not an adventurous exploration.

Orla Flanagan’s Mornington Singers are an exceptional group of finely trained musicians, and their interpretation of the music is outstanding. (four stars awarded)

—Shirley Ratcliffe