Eiriol

Eiriol, "snowdrop" in Welsh, is an animated journey through the most popular of Celtic dances, taking both performer and listener through an exciting Highland adventure. Through the eyes of a falling snowdrop, the listener embarks on a tour of the Welsh countryside as the merry townsfolk participate in dances of airs, jigs and more.

Genre: String Orchestra | # of Players: 8-8-5-5-5
Level: 4 | Duration: 5:50

Instrumentation
Violin 1
Violin 2
Viola
Cello
Contrabass


Program Notes
Eiriol, "snowdrop" in Welsh, is an animated journey through the most popular of Celtic dances, taking both performer and listener through an exciting Highland adventure. One of the original Seven Celtic Nations, Wales still stands as a stalwart of Celtic traditions, including those of her musical heritage. Through the eyes of a falling snowdrop, the listener embarks on a tour of the Welsh countryside as the merry townsfolk participate in dances of airs, jigs and more.

The first section of Eiriol is an Air, a lyrical melody with a memorable theme. The Air is most widely known as being slow and graceful and can be used in both vocal and instrumental performances. Eiriol's second section segues thru an animated pizzicato line in the second violins, emulating the child-like spirit of Celtic playgrounds. The third section quickly switches to the most popular of Irish dances, the Jig. One of the amazing fortunes from those original seven nations is the interplay between cultural expression which is most apparent in the exchange of musical ideas and dances, such as the Jig. The piece returns to the theme from the first Air and finally, subtlety, ends as the falling snowdrop finds its home on a hillside high in the lands of the Celts.