Patrick Cassidy - Cruit

Reissue of Irish composer Patrick Cassidy's debut CD on Gael Linn. It was originally released in 1990, and contains Patrick's settings of traditional Irish melodies by Turlough O Carolan, the last of the Irish bardic harpers.

In keeping with the knowledge that Carolan was influenced by the classical composers whose music he heard in the great houses of Ireland, Patrick scored his arrangements for a baroque chamber ensemble of stringed instruments, oboes, and Irish harp. Himself an accomplished harper, Patrick leads the Cruit ensemble playing the harp.

Patrick has been awarded Person of the Year by the City of Limerick and, from Limerick University, the Medal of Honour and Distinguished Alumni Award. He currently resides in Los Angeles where, in addition to his concert work and compositions, he has scored and collaborated on film and documentary projects such as Hannibal, Kingdom of Heaven and L'Aviatore.