Acallam na Senorach (An Irish Colloquy)

Paul Hillier leads the National Chamber Choir of Ireland and guitarist Stewart French in this first recording of Tarik O'Regan's Acallam na Senorach: An Irish Colloquy, a work they premiered in November 2010. Sung in English, Middle Irish, and Latin and calling for sixteen voices, guitar and bodhran (Irish frame-drum), the score takes its title from the important 12th/13th-century narrative "Dialogue of the Elders" which follows two legendary heroes, Cailte and Oisin, in their travels around Ireland as they retell their ancient stories to a newly-arrived Saint Patrick. "One of the most original and eloquent of young British composers" (The Observer, UK). "Striking, intense, captivating, are all applicable descriptions of the young British composer Tarik O'Regan's music" (BBC Music).