Music and Reviews from Clare, Limerick, Waterford and sometimes further afield

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Weekend Round Up

The Bells The Bells 
As majestic bells of bolts struck shadows in the sounds,
Seeming to be the chimes of freedom flashing.[9] 

Is there any more cheerful sound than the plangent peal of church bells ringing out on the quiet of a Sunday morning. I was at Christchurch Cathedral, Waterford this morning where many gathered for the Sunday morning service. Dean Maria Jansson welcomed former president Mary McAleese where spoke eloquently on the theme of immigration. After the service, all gathered outside to hear the newly restored bells ting out after a silence of almost two years. Patsy McGarry's piece here
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/waterford-church-bells-to-ring-out-against-xenophobia-1.2966781
The Cathedral Choir looked splendid in their red and white cassocks. Chiming perfectly with the sentiment of the occasion, the opening hymn was All People That on Earth Do Dwell. I loved the Henry Purcell anthem, Rejoice in the Lord Always and organist Eric Sweeney's rendition of a Carrillion by Louis Vierne. The Gospel Choir closed the programme with Bob Dylan's, Chimes of Freedom

When the Parade Passes By
 

I am not big devotee of parades and the notion of us all rushing out to march up and down during a month when our weather is at its most capricious strikes me as a form  of national folly. My heart goes out to the bands that have flown in from sunnier climes to march through our grey windswept streets. However, The best parade is your local one and  I thoroughly enjoyed Tramore's effort  this year. All local human life was here  marching and  perambulating through the streets of the seaside town. Pipers, dancing children, Roses in high heels and tractors-lots of tractors, little and large trundled through. It all took about twenty minutes which is just long enough to be standing around on a cold March afternoon. Watch the Tramore Parade here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNBJ2GNW52A

Reprise of Jim Nolan play: Good to meet  Garrett Keogh in Waterford today. The actor is in town for the performance of Jim Nolan's play at Garter Lane tomorrow (Monday) before the team embark on a nationwide tour. My report from the premiere last March here. Ihttp://cathydesmond.blogspot.ie/2016/03/johnny-i-hardly-you-at-garter-lane.html

 

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