Strange Wonders, The Wexford Carols, Vol. II is the follow-up to the #1 Billboard and Amazon charting The Wexford Carols (2014), hailed by The Irish Times as "The Wexford Carols as they have never been heard before." Produced by celebrated Grammy-winning producer Ethan Johns (Paul McCartney, Kings of Leon, Ray LaMontagne) and led by renowned Irish singer/arranger Caitriona O'Leary, this new recording offers an intimate, spiritual, and mystical journey through eleven rarely-heard carols from Ireland's cherished Christmas tradition. The album features a world-class ensemble, including Alison Balsom (trumpet), Stile Antico (choir), Seth Lakeman, Clara Sanabras, John Smith, Olov Johansson, Simone Collavechi, Deirdre O'Leary, Mel Mercier, John Hearne, and Ethan Johns himself. Drawing on 17th-18th century Wexford carol traditions and blending early music, folk, and classical styles, Strange Wonders illuminates familiar moments of the Christmas story alongside rarely sung carols to saints of the Twelve Days. This moving collection brings Ireland's greatest Christmas music to life for today's audiences in a timeless new way.
Mystics & Cynics is a mesmerizing journey through the sacred and the subversive, the ecstatic and the irreverent. Featuring the world premiere of Taumelnd von Glut (Reeling in the Light)-a stunning new song cycle by composer Boris Bergmann, setting the passionate poetry of Otto Braun to music for the first time. Braun's youthful idealism and later disillusionment echo through Bergmann's evocative score, creating a deeply moving meditation on love, war, and loss. This striking new work is woven into a tapestry of mystical and iconoclastic masterpieces: the luminous chant of Hildegard von Bingen, the playful defiance of Erik Satie, and the radical vision of John Cage. Mystics & Cynics invites listeners on a journey through war-torn poetry, cabaret whimsy, and transcendental meditation-where every note is both a question and an answer. An essential release for adventurous ears.
Reaching number one on both the Billboard and Amazon charts, The Wexford Carols stars celebrated Irish singer Caitriona O'Leary alongside Grammy winners Sir Tom Jones, Rosanne Cash, and Rhiannon Giddens, backed by an all-star band. Produced by four-time Grammy winner Joe Henry, the album presents Ireland's greatest Christmas music-much of it recorded for the very first time-through a magical blend of traditional Irish, Americana, Blues, and Gospel. With lyrics by Luke Waddinge and William Devereux set to popular 17th- and 18th-century tunes, these musically sublime, spiritually rich, and emotionally powerful carols offer listeners a fresh and compelling way to experience the story of Christmas. Reaching number one on both the Billboard and Amazon charts, The Wexford Carols stars celebrated Irish singer Caitriona O'Leary alongside Grammy winners Sir Tom Jones, Rosanne Cash, and Rhiannon Giddens, backed by an all-star band. Produced by four-time Grammy winner Joe Henry, the album presents Ireland's greatest Christmas music-much of it recorded for the very first time-through a magical blend of traditional Irish, Americana, Blues, and Gospel. With lyrics by Luke Waddinge and William Devereux set to popular 17th- and 18th-century tunes, these musically sublime, spiritually rich, and emotionally powerful carols offer listeners a fresh and compelling way to experience the story of Christmas.
