In 1987 Dublin composer Michael McGlynn founded the choral group An Uaithne, an old Irish word that describes the three ancient types of Irish music, Suantraí (lullaby), Geantraí (happy song) and Goltraí (lament). One of the group’s primary aims is to explore and redefine Irish music for voices.
An Uaithne became Anúna in 1991. Their work is difficult to categorise, thus ensuring a cult status. The unique vocal sound developed by McGlynn is shown to greatest effect on the magnificent “Wind on Sea” or the now choral standard “Dúlamán”. Their spiritual music displays the group at its finest with exceptional stand-outs such as “Nobilis Humilis” and “O Viridissima”.
The group has a particular and unusual vocal sound brought about by the combination of trained and untrained voices, and its image is extremely evocative, combining costumed singers with movement and candles. In recent years Anúna have begun to change direction, distancing themselves further from the so-called “Celtic” fashion of music. Their 2006 album “Sensation” marked a significant departure from previous albums, with no overly Celtic influences. The group unexpectedly followed that with two US only releases on CD and DVD “Celtic Origins” and “Christmas Memories”. In 2009 they released “Sanctus”, an album of spiritual music and “Invocations of Ireland” on DVD.| |
