Mary Bergin facts for kids
Mary Bergin (born September 13, 1949) is a famous Irish folk musician. She is known as one of the best tin whistle players ever. She plays both traditional Irish music and older Baroque music.
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Biography
Mary Bergin was born in Shankill, a town in County Dublin, Ireland. Her parents were also musicians. Her dad, Joe, played the melodeon. Her mom, Máire, played the fiddle. Mary started learning the tin whistle when she was nine years old.
In 1970, Mary won the All-Ireland tin whistle championship. This is a very important competition in Irish music. Her two solo tin whistle albums are called Feadóga Stáin (1979) and Feadóga Stáin 2 (1993). Experts say these recordings are "amazing and unmatched." They helped make the tin whistle very popular.
In the early 1970s, Mary moved to An Spidéal in County Galway. There, she played with many rising stars in Irish music. These included groups like De Danann and Ceoltóri Laighin. Today, she is a member of a group called Dordán. They play a mix of Irish traditional music and Baroque music. Their music includes pieces by famous composers like George Frideric Handel, Henry Purcell, and even a tune from Johann Sebastian Bach.
Besides her solo albums and playing with Dordán, Mary Bergin has taught many students. She has shared her knowledge of the tin whistle with hundreds of people. She has taught in Ireland, across Europe, and in the United States.
Playing style
Mary Bergin heard music from many great musicians when she was young. Her playing style is especially influenced by flute player Packie Duignan. She also learned a lot from the whistle playing of Willie Clancy. Mary plays the whistle "left-handed." This means her right hand covers the top holes. Most other whistle players use their left hand for the top holes.
Mary Bergin's playing is known for its great feeling and amazing skill. She also shows deep respect for the music. A music expert named Fintan Vallely said her playing is "brightly decorated but clear." He also noted her "crisp and clean" sounds. Writer and flute player Grey Larsen used similar words. He described her playing as "precise," "elegant," and "streamlined."
Discography
Mary Bergin
- Feadóga Stáin (1979)
- Feadóga Stáin 2 (1993)
Dordán
- Irish Traditional and Baroque Music (1 July 1991)
- Jigs to the Moon (18 October 1994)
- The Night Before...A Celtic Christmas (25 August 1998)
- Celtic Aire (13 July 1999)
