Search - Dordan :: Jigs to the Moon

Dordán is a trio from Ireland that was formed to explore the common elements found in Irish and various forms of classical music. Harper Kathleen Loughnane, fiddler Dearbhaill Standún, and flautist Mary Bergin find the strongest bonds among the dance tunes. They skillfully weave medleys out of jigs, reels, and strathspreys, and re-create Continental styles in polkas and chaconnes. The selections include a few tunes from the Irish harper Turlough O'Carolan as well as sonatinas by the Czech composer Jan Ladislav Dussek and Beethoven. Dordán perform the dance tunes with a stateliness that might sound too formal to someone used to hearing them in the more raucous setting of a pub session. But they play these melodies with such intense feeling and attention to detail in tone that they more than make up for the lack of boisterousness. --Michael Simmons