Celtic Music for Imbolc
Welcome to a Celtic Music (and more!) Festival featuring (among many other things) music from around the Celtic Lands, alongside music inspired by or expressing Celtic themes, in celebration of Imbolc.
Today you’ll hear a wide variety of Celtic and Celtic-influenced material, with orchestral works like Shaun Davey’s Brendan Voyage; a wide range of performances by traditional Celtic artists; and music inspired by the Celtic heritage. There are also some large-scale performances from artists like Celtic Woman, Celtic Thunder and even the Cincinnati Pops! And listen out for some of the Celtic/Goddess themed pieces from Nashville-based artist Laura Powers’ Legends of the Goddess trilogy, along with Rutland Boughton’s seldom-heard classic, first performed in Glastonbury between the wars, The Immortal Hour.
Then tune in at 12 noon or 4pm Pacific Time/SLT, 8pm or midnight in the UK, for another chance to hear the latest episode of our original series, “Where Have You Been?”, where we visit The Janus Galleries. And catch “Engines of Our Ingenuity” from the University of Houston every four hours from 4am Pacific.
Imbolc, also called Saint Brigid’s Day, is a Gaelic traditional festival. It marks the beginning of spring, and for Christians it is the feast day of Saint Brigid, Ireland’s matron saint. It is held on 1 February, which is about halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Historically, its traditions were widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals—along with Bealtaine, Lughnasadh and Samhain.
Imbolc is mentioned in early Irish literature, and there is evidence suggesting it was also an important date in ancient times. It is believed that Imbolc was originally a pagan festival associated with the goddess Brigid, and that it was Christianized as the feast day of Saint Brigid, who could be a Christianization of the goddess.
“Imbolc Festival February 3 2007” by Steven Earnshaw is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 .
“marsden imbolc Fire Carriers” by Paul Stevenson is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0