The Táin
 
 

The Táin - Legend and Music, composed exclusively for Setanta Choir

"Setanta" by Eibhlis Farrell is a 30 - minute piece in five sections, scored for solo soprano, mixed choir and orchestra. It is not a narrative of the Táin, but an atmospheric work which highlights the main themes running through the story.

Read on to learn how Eibhlis, the composer has used elements of the Táin in the music.

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Eibhlis Farrell


1. Setanta....
2. None like Cúchulainn

These two opening pieces sing the praises of the hero, Cúchulainn. In this section of theTáin, Maeve has asked who is the warrior who dares to oppose her army single-handedly.
Fergus, a former king of Ulster now exiled in Connacht, tells her about the great feats which Cúchulainn has achieved in his young life.
Despite the curse of Macha which has laid low the rest of Ulster's warriors Cúchulainn will guard Muirtheimne Plain and save Ulster.

4. Imbas Forasnaí
(The Light of Foresight)

Before Maeve set off on her raid she asked a beautiful woman poet named Fedelm who had trained in "verse and vision" in Alba how her army would fare. Fedelm warned her of dire things to come. Maeve was sceptical because she was aware of the effect of Macha's curse which had left the men of Ulster powerless at that time but Fedelm said that it was Cúchulainn who opposed her and that he would defeat her.

 

  

3. The Morrígan

Morrígan, known as the Queen of Demons, is one of the three goddesses of war. She can assume the shape of a raven and has the gift of prophecy. In this piece she addresses the Brown Bull of Cooley and alerts him to the great slaughter which is to come. This causes him to move to Sl. Cuilinn for safety.

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5. Ferdia

The most poignant episode in the Táin is recalled in this final chorus. It is the great fight lasting several days between Cúchulainn and Ferdia at the ford. They had been friends together in the boy troop in Emain Macha and later trained with Scáthach in Scotland. Cúchulainn remembers that it had been "all play, all sport" in those days but thanks to "cruel Cruachan" (Maeve's home in Co. Roscommon), they had been pitched against one another in battle. Many significant battles took place at fords and boundaries where the normal rules of society were seen to break down and so this was an appropriate setting for the fight between two former friends.

 

The Première:

This celebratory concert took place on the 7th February 2003 in the Dundalk Institute of Technology with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. It was a formal but joyous occasion attended by President Mary McAleese and several national and local dignitaries.

The concert was conducted by Prionnsías Ó Duinn and special guest soprano was Sadhbh Dennedy.

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