{"id":947,"date":"2015-10-30T16:45:56","date_gmt":"2015-10-30T15:45:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pureaudiorecordings.com\/product\/import-placeholder-for-965\/"},"modified":"2026-06-26T15:16:56","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T13:16:56","slug":"ensemble-galilei-from-whence-we-came","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/pureaudiorecordings.com\/en\/product\/ensemble-galilei-from-whence-we-came\/","title":{"rendered":"ENSEMBLE GALILEI – From Whence We Came"},"content":{"rendered":"

“Virtuoso technique, an instinctive feeling for the idiom, and the courage to improvise\u2026they play with energy, splendid ensemble, good humor and imagination.\u201d\u2014 The Washington Post<\/p>\n

From Whence We Came. From the first notes of this CD, you know you are hearing something new and groundbreaking. Each track tells its own story. A tragedy from Sweden, a joke from Ireland, a lament from Scotland, a life well lived from America. The musicians of Ensemble Galilei have brought together a repertoire unparalleled in breadth, and they perform these pieces with unfettered virtuosity. Borders crossed, genres bent, new approaches to old music, this CD is unbelievably compelling as a work of art, rapturously accessible as a piece of music. Carolyn Surrick explains: \u201cSue brought \u201cMiss Abbott,\u201d a tune she wrote years ago for her mother and I brought \u201cUti Dahlin,\u201d a Swedish song sung by my great-grandmother to her children. Jackie brought \u201cAmy\u2019s\u201d and \u201cSophie\u2019s Slip Jig,\u201d the first a tune written for his wife, the second for his daughter. I wrote \u201cLindsay\u2019s Keys\u201d for my dear friends\u2019 wedding and \u201cGinger\u2019s,\u201d a chant for strength and faith. I first heard \u201cInnerst\u00e5frid\u2019n (Innermost Peace),\u201d and \u201cVals efter \u2018Jonte i Byom” at Walter Reed, not always a place for cheery, upbeat music. These tunes perfectly express a solemn, soulful, reflection of a world where goodness does not always triumph and darkness is not a curse. There are storied histories to the other tunes \u2013 Ryan\u2019s long and deep love of Scottish music made manifest in the \u201cSitting on the Stern of the Boat\u201d set, Isaac and his pipe set from Ireland, Kathryn Montoya\u2019s perfect partnership with Jackie on \u201cJohn Come Kiss Me Now,\u201d and the Telemann and Marais, pieces for the gamba that have been a part of my life for more than thirty years.\u201d<\/p>\n

Founded in 1990, Ensemble Galilei is an ensemble of players from both classical and Celtic backgrounds, playing Irish and Scottish airs and dance tunes, early and medieval music, and original compositions. This recording features Isaac Alderson (uilleann pipes, Irish flute, whistle), Ryan McKasson (fiddle), Kathryn Montoya (baroque oboe and recorder), Jackie Moran (drums, percussion, banjo, vocals), Sue Richards (Celtic harp), and Carolyn Surrick (viola da gamba). The Ensemble takes their name and inspiration from the life of composer Vincenzo Galilei, whose influence, some four hundred years ago, helped restore a vital element of passion to the music of the day. The Ensemble infuses ancient music with a spirit of improvisation and liveliness. To achieve their unique Celtic sound, Ensemble Galilei has melded the elegance of chamber music with the energy and excitement of traditional music. An intricate blend of instruments grants listeners passage to another world, evoking musical images of the ancient Celts and bringing these images to life for today’s audiences. They have performed and toured globally for almost twenty-five years, and have been featured on multiple recordings and radio performances. They have notably collaborated with National Geographic in the documentary \u201cFirst Person: Stories from the Edge of the World\u201d and with the Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibit for \u201cFirst Person: Seeing America.\u201d<\/p>\n