Radio work – Page 7 – Karen J McDonnell

The Western Skyline – Classical Choruses (& Gremlins)

July 29, 2015July 30, 2015Karen J McDonnell

It’s not often one gets to co-host a show with gremlins. But on our penultimate day in the studio, it happened to me.

Today, the beginning of the show had lovely music, interspersed with …

… silence!

Direct sunlight on the presenter’s fade button meant that while it looked like everything was ticketty boo, in fact I was just talking to myself. Listeners could hear the music, however – which was the most important part of the programme.

Consequently, this show opens directly with the first track, Allegri’s Miserere Mei – all 11 minutes 52 seconds of it.

Sheet Music Allegri's Miserere

Sheet Music: Allegri’s Miserere

Here is a link to a documentary from Lyric FM about the Miserere. It won a bronze medal at this year’s New York Festival -Radio.

Yup, you’re not hearing things.The third track? It is the music from the Eurovision – but Charpentier preferred to call it Te Deum!

I pick up the narrative after the fourth track: Mozart’s Requiem is my Desert Island disc – especially this recording conducted by Herbert von Karajan.

Below is the podcast of the show and a full playlist. Feel free to leave comments!

The Western Skyline – Classical Choruses – First broadcast on wildatlanticwaves.wordpress.com 10.30 -11.30am Wednesday 29 July 2015:

PLAYLIST

Track Name: Miserere Mei

Complete Work Name: Miserere Mei

Composer: Gregorio Allegri

Choir: The Sixteen

Orchestra: with the Gabrielli Consort & the choir of Kings College Cambridge

Conductor:

Album Title: Allegri Miserere: Tallis: Lamentation of Jeremiah, & other Renaissance Masterpieces

Record Label: Decca Virtuoso 2011

Duration: 11.52

Track Name: Fair Phyllis I Saw Sitting Alone

Complete Work Name: Same

Composer: John Farmer

Choir: The Kings Singers

Orchestra: The Consort of Musicke

Conductor:

Album Title: The Madrigal Mystery Tour

Record Label: EMI 1989

Duration: 01.11

Track Name: Te Deum , Laudamus, Te Aeternum Patrem

Complete Work Name: Te Deum

Composer: Marc Antoine Charpentier H146

Choir: Le Poeme Harmonique, Capella Claco Viensis

Soloist: Benoit Arnould

Conductor: Vincent Dumestre

Album Title: (Live recording) La Chappelle Royale du Chateau de Versailles

Record Label: Alpha Productions 2013

Duration: 06.20

Track Name: Communio, Lux Aeterna

Complete Work Name: Requiem in D Minor, K.626

Composer: W A Mozart ( completed by Franz Xaver Sussmeyer)

Soloists: Wiener Singeren & Anna Tomowa-Sintow

Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic

Conductor: Herbert von Karajan

Album Title: Mozart, Requiem

Record Label: Deutshe Grammophon GmBH 1976/1988

Duration: 06.03

Track Name: In Paradisum

Complete Work Name: Requiem in D Minor, Opus 48

Composer: Gabriel Fauré

Orchestra: Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Choir: Choir of Kings College Cambridge

Conductor: Stephen Cleobury

Album Title: Fauré Requiem & Mese Basse

Record Label: Choir Kings College 2014

Duration: 03.10

Track Name: Thine Own of Thine Own

Complete Work Name: Liturgy of St John Chrysostem in C Major, Opus 41

Composer: Pytor Tchaikovsky

Choir & Orchestra: USSR Ministry & Culture State Chamber Choir (live recording)

Conductor: Valery Polyansky

Album Title: Liturgy of St John Chrysostem

Record Label: FSU ‘Firma Melodie’ 2011

Duration: 03.54

Track Name: I told my sweetheart

Complete Work Name: Ten Russian Folk Songs

Composer: Dmitri Shostakovich

Choir & Orchestra: Chorus of the Moscow Academy of Choral Art

Conductor: Victor Popov Piano: Tatyana Kravchenko

Album Title: Shostakovich: Choral Music

Record Label: Brillian Classics 2013 (1999 National Music Publishers, Russian Federation)

Recorded in the Small Hall, Moscow Conservatory Jan-Apr 1998

Duration: 04.08

Track Name: Song for Athene

Complete Work Name: Song for Athene

Composer: John Taverner

Choir: Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge

Conductor: Christopher Robinson

Album Title: Taverner: Song for Athene/Svyati

Record Label: Naxos 2000

Duration: 05.21

Track Name: Adhaan – The Muslim Call to Prayer

Complete Work Name: The Armed Man

Composer: Religious – traditional

Muzzein: Mohammed Gad

Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor: Karl Jenkins

Album Title: The Armed Man, A Mass for Peace

Record Label: Virgin Records 2001

Duration: 01.56

Track Name: L’Homme Armé

Complete Work Name: The Armed Man

Composer: Karl Jenkins

Choir: National Youth Choir of Great Britain

Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor: Karl Jenkins

Album Title: The Armed Man, A Mass for Peace

Record Label: Virgin Records 2001

Duration: 06.00

The Western Skyline – Let’s Play!

July 24, 2015Karen J McDonnell

First broadcast on 23 July 2015 on wildatlanticwaves.wordpress.com #onlineradio

This solo hour was all about play – and playing some good music. I chose a selection from the 1960’s up: moving from soulful to music guaranteed to rock the soul. I defy you not to dance around the kitchen by the end of the show!

Here is the link to the podcast:

A show like this allows me the chance to play long songs, and songs that wouldn’t be heard much on mainstream radio. Who plays John Miles or Judie Tzuke these days?

Some of the tracks here came from re-masters or compilations. Below is the playlist:

New York Minute – Don Henley End of the Innocence (1989) 2009 Geffen Records

For You – Judie Tzuke Welcome to the Cruise (1979) 2010 Wrasse Records

Old Friends/Bookends Simon & Garfunkel Bookends 1968 Sony BMG

Dazzling Blue – Paul Simon So Beautiful, So What 2011 Star Con LLC Hear Music

If These Walls Could Speak – Jimmy Webb 10 Easy Pieces 1996 Capitol Records

Mac Arthur Park postcard

Mac Arthur Park – Richard Harris (Written by Jimmy Webb, first recorded:1968) 1997 Geffen Records

Music – John Miles Rebel (1976) True Rock Compilation 2006 Spectrum Music

Gimme Some Lovin’ – Spencer Davis Group True Rock Compilation 2006 Spectrum Music

Sweet Home Alabama – Lynard Skynard True Rock Compilation 2006 Spectrum Music

Addicted to Love – Robert Palmer Riptide (1985) True Rock Compilation 2006

Robert Palmer & The Girls! — Robert Palmer
& The Girls!

Happy Half-Hour – on the Western Skyline

July 15, 2015Karen J McDonnell

My 30 minute Western Skyline show this morning on Wild Atlantic Waves Radio was all about Happiness:

– what is it?

– do we deserve it?

– what makes our listeners happy?

– did you know that an Irishman inspired the writers of the American Declaration of Independence?

Life, Liberty and ... — Life, Liberty and …

We had an old happy song courtesy of the Partridge Family. And there were a couple of newish happy songs – thank you Take That and yes, you’ve guessed it, Pharrell Williams!

There was an interview, vox pop, and a happy list.

Thanks to everyone who contacted us on Facebook and Twitter: you seem to be quite a happy bunch!

Image: from Wikimedia Creative Commons

Have a listen to the podcast below: do you agree that Happiness and Contentment are two different things?

I’d love to read your opinion, here on the website, or on the Wild Atlantic Waves Radio Facebook page. And here’s hoping a flash of happiness flares up in your path today.

Hanging with the radioheads

July 3, 2015Karen J McDonnell

radioheads - photo by Lorraine Higgins — radioheads – photo by Lorraine Higgins

Today was spent with the radioheads at Wild Atlantic Waves Radio – in The Square in Gort – doing an outside broadcast.

The craic was mighty – and here is a link to the blog about it on the WAWR website:

https://wildatlanticwaves.wordpress.com/2015/07/03/and-were-live/

Me & Chris live from Gort, with Robin on the desk.

A wonderful day – plus a fabarooney post-show lunch at the Gallery Café on the other side of the Square.

Thanks guys! So glad I got to do this course and hang out with all of you.

Tracking the Ghost Train

June 19, 2015Karen J McDonnell

Slieve Callan in shed at Moyasta Junction

Here is a link to the mini-documentary I made about the West Clare Railway.

My thanks to all the people who contributed to it and who gave me great leads and stories … enough to make a full length documentary!

It’s dedicated to my mother & and her sisters, my grandmother, and great-grandmother – all of whom travelled to Kilkee on the West Clare.

So after all the work … here is Tracking the Ghost Train

I’d love to get your feedback … and any stories you have about the West Clare Railway.

Marriage Equality & Presidents

June 4, 2015Karen J McDonnell

On the day of the Marriage Equality and Presidential referendums my colleague Julie Flavin and I visited a rural polling station to record a vox pop ‘exit poll’.

When we head off to do vox pops, we never know what we are going to get … in terms of material and/or abuse! Actually, a lot of the time people are shy. And no more so than when you are trying to find out how they have voted. So, thank you to everyone who spoke to us so freely.

But there is one voice that I cannot forget; she was the person I first thought of as the results came through the next day.

She came out of the polling station with her father (I presume) – who gestured with a wave of his arm to her that here we were … at her disposal … that she could speak out in any way she liked. And we were delighted to record her.

In fact, it was a privilege to hear this young woman – voting for the first time – for whom that day was so important.

The vox pop was first broadcast on Tuesday 26 May on Wild Atlantic Waves Radio, as part of the Midday Show during our News in Focus slot.

It was mixed down by Julie, and she did a fantastic job. The excerpt here includes intro and outro clips on either side of the vox pop:

Trekking Through Laurel Canyon – on the Western Skyline

June 2, 2015Karen J McDonnell

My solo radio show on wildatlanticwaves.wordpress.com on May 27 was inspired by an article in Vanity Fair by Lisa Robinson. You can read ‘An Oral History of Laurel Canyon’ here.

This time around on the Western Skyline, I journeyed to Laurel Canyon of the 60s and 70s and played tracks by Joni Mitchell, Crosby Stills & Nash and others.

You can listen to the show here:

The playlist is below:

For What It’s Worth – Buffalo Springfield, Buffalo Springfield 1966 Atco Records

Monday, Monday – The Mamas & Papas, If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears 1966 Dunhill Records

A Case of You – Joni Mitchell, Blue 1971 Warner Bros. Records

Woodstock – Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Dejá Vu 1970 Atlantic Recording Corp.

Cathedral – Crosby Stills & Nash, CSN Greatest Hits 1977, 2005 Atlantic Recording Corp.

Carey – Joni Mitchell, Blue 1971 Warner Bros. Records

Home Again – Carole King, Tapestry 1971 Ode Records

I Feel the Earth Move – Carole King, Tapestry 1971 Ode Records

Earlybird – The Eagles, Eagles 1972 Asylum Records

Marrakesh Express – Crosby Stills & Nash, CSN Greatest Hits 1977, 2005 Atlantic Recording Corp.

Tracking the ghost train – 1

May 11, 2015Karen J McDonnell

Working hard on my mini documentary for the Diploma in Radio.

Had a great trip down West Clare way last Thursday to Moyasta Junction where number 5 steam engine, the Slieve Callan, from the West Clare Railway is kept in a purpose-built shed. Got a great tour from Stephen Whelan, which was really appreciated.

The engine will be out on the tracks during the June Bank holiday and would be a great day out for young and old. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for full details and opening hours.

We picked the best day of the week for the journey, so we dropped by the White Strand beach near Doonbeg for a walk with the dog. And there was fish & chips for lunch in Kilrush, with a coffee in the wonderful Potter’s Hand Café.

Would it have been a trip to the seaside without a 99 on the way home?Of course not.

All that, and I got to relive my childhood when I climbed aboard the Slieve Callan. A happy day.

Choooooo, choooo!!!

Mr Burns for President!

April 15, 2015April 17, 2015Karen J McDonnell

As part of my radio work for my diploma I had to do a short interview with someone.

I decided to speak to one Mr Charles Montgomery Burns, from Springfield (aka Scott D). Mr Burns has just announced that he will be running in the 2016 American presidential election.

But – how safe will America be in the hands of Mr Burns?

YOU decide!

Listen here to Mr Burn’s first public interview since his campaign manager, Mr Waylon Smithers announced the candidacy on social media on Sunday 13th April.

Western Skyline – with Karen McDonnell

April 10, 2015April 10, 2015Karen J McDonnell

From now on I will broadcast my solo shows with Wild Atlantic Waves Radio under the programme title Western Skyline. Most likely, each show will have a different theme.

So, here is the first one – a selection of Irish traditional and ‘prog. trad’ music: some of the finest musicians in the world.

Listen to Clannad, Planxty, The Chieftains, Horslips, Martin Hayes and many of the people with whom he collaborates.

Hope you enjoy the show as much as I did compiling it.

And, if you wonder about a reference to Marilyn Moroe on the sign off – we had a live Happy Birthday sung for our Chris in the studio. I edited that out of the podcast!

PLAYLIST

Clannad: Brian Boru’s March – ‘Clannad’ 2014 Spectrum Music

Planxty: As I Roved Out – ‘The Well Below the Valley’ 2005 Shanachie Records

Planxty & Bill Whelan: Timedance Eurovision 1981 Interval Act – see youtube

The Chieftains & Sting: Mo Ghile Mear (excerpt) – ‘The Long Black Veil’ 1995 BMG Music

The Chieftains: Carolan’s Concerto – ‘The Essential Chieftains’ 2006 BG Intl

The Bothy Band: The Kesh/Give us a drink of water… – ‘Bothy Band Live’ 1994 Windsong Intl

The Bothy Band: Farewell to Erin – ‘Bothy Bank Live’ 1994 Windsong Intl

Horslips: Dearg Doom – ‘The Táin’ 1973 RCA (UK)

Martin Hayes: The Star of Munster – ‘Martin Hayes’ 1992 Green Linnet

Martin Hayes & Denis Cahill: Martin Rochford’s/The Green Gowned Lass – ‘Live in Seattle’ 1999 Green Linnet

The Gloaming: Samhradh Samhradh – ‘The Gloaming’ 2011 prod. T Bartlett.