Michael McGlynn facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michael McGlynn
Michael McGlynn
Background information
Birth name	Michael Philip McGlynn
Born	(1964-05-11) 11 May 1964 (age 61)
Origin	Dublin, Ireland
Genres	Classical world vocal
Occupation(s)	Composer
Instruments	Vocals
Associated acts	Anúna

Michael McGlynn, born on May 11, 1964, is a talented Irish composer, producer, and director. He is best known as the founder of the famous vocal group Anúna. He creates beautiful music, often blending traditional Irish sounds with classical styles.

Michael McGlynn's Musical Journey

Michael McGlynn grew up in Dublin, Ireland. He studied music and English at University College Dublin and Trinity College. He was also a member of the RTÉ Chamber Choir.

Founding Anúna

In 1987, Michael McGlynn started his own Irish vocal group called Anúna. This group became very well-known for its unique sound. Anúna has released many albums, mostly featuring Michael's own music and arrangements.

Anúna's Success

Anúna's album Deep Dead Blue was nominated for a Classical Brit Award in 2000. It also reached the top 5 on the UK Classical Charts. Another album, Anúna: Celtic Origins, was a huge success. It was the best-selling world music CD in the US in August 2007. It stayed on the Billboard World Music Charts for many months.

Other Musical Works

While Michael McGlynn is famous for his choral music, he also writes other types of music. He has composed pieces for orchestras and instruments. He has also written larger works like cantatas and masses. In 2007, his cantata St. Francis was performed for the first time. This piece was commissioned by RTÉ, Ireland's national broadcasting station. It uses texts about Francis of Assisi and features a tenor singer, choir, and symphony orchestra.

Working with Theatres and Universities

Michael McGlynn has also composed music for plays. He wrote music for a production of "Three Sisters" by Anton Chekhov. This play was shown in Dublin and London. He also teaches about vocal and choral music. He has worked with students at the University of Miami in the US and at Florida Atlantic University. In 2017, he received an award from University College Dublin for his achievements in arts and humanities.

Collaborations with Other Artists

Many famous groups and singers have performed and recorded Michael McGlynn's music. These include Rajaton, Dawn Upshaw, the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, and Chanticleer. His music is enjoyed by audiences around the world.

Michael McGlynn's Musical Style

Michael McGlynn's music has a special sound. He mixes elements of traditional Irish music with modern classical styles.

Blending Old and New

He uses traditional Irish musical ideas like modal melodies. These are tunes that use specific scales, giving them a unique feel. He also uses "drones," which are long, continuous notes that create a rich background sound. He combines these with jazz-like chords, which add interesting harmonies. You can hear these features in his work for the Chanticleer Mass, especially in the 'Agnus Dei' section.

Creating New Irish Songs

Michael McGlynn doesn't just arrange old Irish songs. He often writes completely new melodies for traditional Irish poems. He says he wants to create a choral version that works well for singers. One of his most popular works in this style is "Dúlamán". This piece uses a traditional Irish poem and has been performed by many professional choirs. It also features his use of different rhythms at the same time, which makes the music exciting.

Evolving Musical Ideas

A music expert named Karen Marrolli wrote about Michael McGlynn's work in 2010. She noted that his music shows a lot of variety and continues to grow. He doesn't just repeat what has worked before. Instead, he keeps exploring new techniques and ideas. This constant development shows he is an important composer of our time.

Selected Musical Works

Here are some of Michael McGlynn's original compositions:

• Invocation (for Tenor singer and mixed choir)
• Four Tenebrae Responsories (for mixed choir)
• Sensation (for speaker, mixed choir, and concert harp)
• Celtic Mass (for mixed choir, solo singers, and instruments)
• Silver River (for oboe and vibraphone, also a version for choir)
• Four Poems on texts by Rimbaud (for Soprano singer and Piano)
• Wind on Sea (for mixed choir and Violin)
• Quis est Deus (for mixed choir)
• O Ignis Spiritus (for saxophone, mixed choir, and mezzo-soprano solo)
• Agnus Dei (for Tenor solo and mixed choir, from "And on Earth Peace, a Chanticleer Mass")
• Behind the Closed Eye (for symphony orchestra and choir)
• Visions (three movements, for soprano saxophone and piano)
• O Maria (for mixed choir)
• Brezairola (for Tenor solo and mixed choir)
• Dúlamán (for male voice choir)
• The Sea (for alto flute, flute, and mixed choir)
• Lux Aeterna / The Road of Passage (for Soprano solo and mixed choir)
• The Rising of the Sun (for solo voice, mixed choir, and symphony orchestra)
• Geantraí (for mixed choir)
• Pie Jesu (for Symphony Orchestra and mixed choir)
• Maid in the Moor (for women's choir)
• Cúnnla (for women's choir)
• Dormi Jesu (for mixed choir)
• My Songs Shall Rise (for mixed choir)
• When the War is Over (for mixed choir)
• Victimae (for male voice choir)
• Takahime (for mixed voices)
• Why Should I Sleep? (for mixed voices)
• Sunshine & Shadows (for mixed voices and piano)
• Amhrán na Gaoithe/Song of the Wind (for mixed voices)
• O pia virgo (for ATBarB voices)

Selected Music Releases

Michael McGlynn's music is featured on many albums, especially those by Anúna.

Anúna Albums

Here is a list of some of Anúna's main CD and DVD releases:

• 1993 – Anúna (re-recorded 2005)
• 1994 – Invocation (re-recorded 2002)
• 1995 – Omnis (Irish edition)
• 1996 – Omnis (re-recorded international version)
• 1996 – Deep Dead Blue (remastered 2004)
• 1997 – Behind the Closed Eye (remastered 2003)
• 2000 – Cynara
• 2006 – Sensation
• 2007 – Celtic Origins [CD and DVD]
• 2008 – Christmas Memories [CD and DVD]
• 2009 – Invocations of Ireland [DVD]
• 2009 – Sanctus
• 2010 – Christmas with Anúna
• 2012 – Illumination
• 2015 – Revelation
• 2018 – Transcendence
• 2018 – Evocation
• 2023 – Otherworld
• 2025 – Eilífð

Other Albums Featuring His Music

• "And on Earth Peace: A Chanticleer Mass" by Chanticleer (ensemble), includes Agnus Dei
• "Wondrous Love" by Chanticleer, includes Dúlamán
• "Out of Bounds" by Rajaton, includes The Wild Song
• "Boundless" by Rajaton, includes Summer Song
• "Silver River" by Matthew Manning, includes Silver River, Aisling, Nightfall, Where All Roses Go
• "Let Your Voice be Heard" by Cantus (vocal ensemble), includes Dúlamán
• "Carmina Celtica" by Canty, includes Lorica
• "Turn Darkness into Light" by Consono, includes Incantations
• "Kantika Sakra" by Kantika Korala, includes Sanctus : Sanctua
• "Aria" by Gerard McChrystal, includes Aisling, Behind the Closed Eye and From Nowhere to Nowhere
• "The Siren's Call" by Chanticleer, includes Amhrán na Gaoithe/Song of the Wind, Hinbarra
• "Sing Thee Nowell" by New York Polyphony, includes O pia virgo. This album was nominated for a Grammy in 2015.
• Celtic Mass by The Taylor Festival Choir. Released in 2016.
• Artifacts by Kansas City Chorale, conducted by Charles Bruffy. Released in 2018.
• Where All Roses Go by Apollo5 featuring the piece "Where All Roses Go". Released in 2020.
• Haven by Apollo5 featuring the piece "O Pia Virgo". Released in 2023.