Following on from the enormous success of the first Lunchtime Choice CD of popular classics, RTÉ lyric fm release LUNCHTIME CHOICE 2.
So what is this CD all about? It’s full of the classical favorites chosen by listeners to RTÉ lyric fm. There’s a mix of the familiar greats and composers that have been made popular by request. Now, for the first time, Sean Ó Riada’s Mise Eire, Stephen Foster’s Jeannie With the Light Brown Hair and the 3rd Movement of Bruch’s Violin Concerto, all performed by Irish artists, are available on one CD. There are also orchestral versions of The Coolin and The Entertainer and the less familiar is represented by Chabrier’s Danse Slave. In short this is a sample of the kind of music asked for on a daily basis by callers to RTÉ lyric fm’s most popular programme, Lunchtime Choice.
Uniquely, for a CD of popular classics, LUNCHTIME CHOICE 2 is an all Irish affair. It was recorded by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, conducted by Kerry born Robert Houlihan. Two of the tracks featured outstanding performances by young soloists: Cork-born violinist Ioana Petcu performing demanding but hugely popular Bruch’s Violin Concerto and baritone John Dempsey singing one of Stepehn Foster’s perennial favorites Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair.
The RTÉ Concert Orchestra is one of Europe’s most versatile musical ensembles. Since its inauguration in 1948, the RTÉCO has grown from a small studio-based recording group to become an exceptionally active 45-strong orchestra that plays a unique and vitally important role in Irish musical life. It gives over 90 performances annually at home, and has toured the USA four times.
Robert Houlihan's career has taken him to conduct leading orchestras world wide and in July 2000 he made his American debut conducting at the Mozart Festival, Woodstock, Illinois. He has recorded the works of major Irish composers and most recently a collection of music referred to in the writings of James Joyce for RTÉ lyric fm. |