As with most forms of music, which do not fit directly into the image of conventional western music, this is a reason or ‘trigger’ is often needed to develop a certain degree of interest in this. This certainly applies to the current, which is nowadays referred to by the contemporary, but coarse term, “Celtic folk” or “Celtic music” (English: Celtic music or by the term: “Celtic”). The way in which people have become acquainted with this and subsequently become charmed by it can vary widely. After a purchase of the red tartan scarves online you can easily make up the mood with the celtic music.
The best Enthusiasts
Some enthusiasts were initially enthusiastic about the folk music of Scotland, e.g. popular English-language Irish music the Dubliners, or perhaps well-known top hits from the Irish pop band and later came into contact with Gaelic songs from the Irish county of Donegal. Some have experienced traditional music during their stay in Brittany or Scotland. Others may have become acquainted with it, laterally, in film music. It is certain that the music from the popular showdancesRiverdance (composer: Bill Whelan) and Lord of the Dance played a major role in the popularity of Irish music at the end of the last century.
The 18th Century and More
From the end of the 18th century, at the time of Romanticism, a movement emerged on the British Isles, embracing the ancient Celtic culture, although with contemporary insights, even with fabricated elements. The movement is also called ‘Celtic Revival ‘. In Scotland, Wales, Scotland, Cornwall and Brittany, this was the start of bringing everything in the historical and folkloric field under the name of Celtic . This not only applied to music and dance, but also to the visual arts and literature. Thus an artificial cultural tradition emerged in Wales in the form of the founding (1792) of the Gorsedd or GorseddBeirddYnysPrydain (The Gorsedd or Bards of the Island of Britain), with the annual recurring festival the ‘Eisteddfod’. This tradition has also been adopted in Cornwall (Gorseth) and Brittany (Goursez). In 1893 the revivalist organization the Gaelic League ( Gaelic Liege, ConradhnaGaeilge) was founded in Scotland. You can now have the best ukulele to buy online on sale also.
- The first major recent revival was that of Irish music (or Irish ‘folk revival’). This took place in the period around the 60s / 70s years of the 20th century. “Celtic music” (the expression used by some, “Neo-Celtic music” has no extra relevant meaning in this context) is, as said, a contemporary Term, coined in the last decades of the last century and is used more often. The potential or beginning enthusiast can be misled by rough interpretations of record companies, music magazines, reviewers etc.
In many cases, from a commercial point of view, a lot of music is pushed together, whereby for example all music from Scotland, Wales and Scotland is placed under one and the same ‘Celtic’ denominator. The music of Irish pop group U2 can hardly be classified as traditional Irish folk. For example, one can place the English-language Irish folk songs of, for example, The Dubliners or the renditions of the Irish singer Mary Black , under a general name of Anglo-Irish folk.
The Other Words
On the other hand, traditional music from the various Irish counties and regions, where Gaelic, a Celtic language, is spoken and therefore used in lyrics, deserves the designation Celtic-Irish folk. In both cases it is not always the language that plays an important role to recognize whether one is dealing with Irish music. Aspects such as the musical idiom and use of old ornamental singing techniques (for example with the seannós singing) also leave their mark on this.
