Michael Rooney is TG4 Composer of the year for 2017
SLIGO’S Michael Rooney has been crowned TG4 Composer of the Year for 2017.
This year has been a busy one for Michael, following his success with The Macalla Suite, a specially commissioned suite for the 1916 Centenary. A new CD of the Macalla Suite, performed by the Macalla Orchestra has just been released.
Michael Rooney is a prolific composer and is widely regarded as one of the foremost players of the traditional Irish harp.
Originally from Scotstown, Co. Monaghan and now resident in Sligo, has recorded two CDs with flute player June McCormack; ‘ Draíocht’ and ‘ Land’s End’. Michael has published four books of his own compositions; ‘ Harp Tunes’ ( 2006), Aifreann Gaeilge ( 2012), ‘ The de Cuéllar Suite’ ( 2012), ‘ The Macalla Suite’ ( 2016).
The Macalla Suite reflects the period of Irish history from the famine to the present day. This epic work conveys in music, song and story, the birth of a nation and was commissioned as a central part of Ireland’s commemoration of the 1916 Rising Centenary. The Macalla Orchestra is made up of over 60 of the finest traditional and classical musicians from Ireland, Scotland and England.
The Macalla Suite commemorates the Easter Rising of 1916, while also focusing on significant aspects of Irish history from the Famine era, through the growth of nationalism, The War of Independence and to modern Ireland. The Suite was performed at the RDS on Easter Saturday at the State Event for the relatives of 1916 and toured to the Barbican in London, followed by a sell- out nationwide tour during Easter 2016.
Michael has composed nine suites of music in the past 20 years, including The Macalla Suite ( 2016), Boróimhe Suite ( 2014), The Second Coming ( 2014), De Cuellar Suite ( 2011) and Battle of the Books Suite, ( 2007). In May 2015, Michael was commissioned to write music and perform on the occasion of Prince Charles’ visit to Sligo.
His music features on ‘ The Queen’s Speech’, RTÉ’s documentary of Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Ireland