Twelve centuries of Ireland’s vocal tradition are explored by the chorale ensemble, Anúna. Best-known for their performance in Riverdance, the group combines songs in Middle English, Scots Gaelic, Irish, Breton, Medieval Irish, Latin, and Greek in their examination of ancient and contemporary Irish music.
Anúna was founded by Dublin born composer Michael McGlynn in 1987. Their name is derived from the ancient Irish name `An Uaithne’ (collectively describing the three ancient types of Celtic music, Suantraí or lullaby, Geantraí or happy song, and Goltraí or lament).
Anúna explore the unique, beautiful and sometimes forgotten music and texts from ancient Ireland through Michael?s original works and his powerful arrangements of medieval and traditional music. Anúna is directed by Michael and his twin brother John McGlynn.
Anúna have performed all over the world, including the World Sacred Music Festival in Morocco, opening the prestigious Glasgow Celtic Connections Festival in 2000 and in 2004 they traveled with President Mary McAleese on her state visits to Argentina and Chile.
In 2005 the group toured Germany, the USA, the UK [20 dates], Portugal and in December they traveled to Japan to coincide with the Japanese release of their album Winter Songs.
Performance highlights have included the Meltdown Festival at the Queen Elizabeth Hall London with Elvis Costello and being the first Irish group to be invited to give the first ever Irish Prom at the Royal Albert Hall.
In 2004 they embarked on a major new recording deal with the US Record Company Koch Records, beginning with the release of the album Christmas Songs, and in 2005 they released Essential Anúna to coincide with their tour their. This album was re-titled for its Irish release to The Best of Anúna. In the UK this album, released on Universal Records went top 20 in the UK Classical Charts and top 5 in the Irish Charts. The album Deep Dead Blue was nominated for a Classical Brit Award in 2000.
In addition to performing and recording on their own, the group has worked with Sinead O’Connor, The Chieftains, Sting, Maire Brennan, and Elvis Costello.
Some of the ensemble’s earlier recordings were re-recorded, including 1994’s Invocation, re-recorded in 2002; 1993’s Anúna, re-recorded in 2005.
In 2017, Anúna released of three limited edition CDs: “A Christmas Selection” and “Anúna Selected 1987-2017″ Volumes I and II.” These compilations contain over 60 remastered tracks and several new pieces, including the epic “Look Away…”, a 14-minute composition that includes improvisation.
Discography
An Uaithne (1991)
Anúna (Celtic Heartbeat, 1993)
Invocation (Celtic Heartbeat, 1994)
Omnis (Celtic Heartbeat, 1995)
Deep Dead Blue (1996)
Behind the Closed Eye (1997)
Cynara (2000)
Winter Songs (2000)
Essential Anúna (2003)
The Best of Anúna (2005)
Essential Anúna (2005)
Sensation (Danú, 2006)
Celtic Dreams: Méav Ní Mhaolchatha with Anúna (Valley Entertainment, 2006)
Celtic Origins (2007)
Christmas Memories (2008)
Sanctus (Danú, 2009)
The Best of Anúna (2010)
Christmas with Anúna (Danú, 2010)
Illumination (Danú, 2012)
Illuminations (2014)
Revelation (2015)
A Christmas Selection (2017)
Selected 1987-2017 (2017)
Selected II 1987-2017 (2017)
DVDs
Invocations of Ireland (Danu, 2009)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
