Orison - Liner Notes


The Arran Boat Song comes from the Arran Islands off the west coast of Ireland, a traditional tune in a contemporary setting.

Pierre on the Mountain Playing the Hurdy Gurdy is a medley. The first tune in it is a French one we learned from Pierre Bensusan. It is followed by an Irish slip jig called Kid on the Mountain, originally in 9/8, our setting is in 7/8. Followed by an obscure French hurdy gurdy tune, the title of which is unknown to us.

Morning Rain is a solo steel string guitar piece composed with the help of digital delay. Dedicated by composer William Coulter to the weather.

The Dance of the Spirits of Water is from Holst's opera The Perfect Fool. The Golden Goose is a slip jig from the composer's ballet of the same name.

William Coulter composed Pastorale in 1986, inspired by the beauty of the Santa Cruz mountains.

The Water Kilpie, a Manx tune from the Isle of Man, tells the story of a water fairy. The Maids of Mitchelston is a slow Irish reel which we adapted from an arrangement by the Irish group the Bothy Band.

The Butterfly is an Irish slip jig played here in three different time signatures, 9/8, and altered 9/8 (2 + 2 + 2 + 3), and 11/8 (2 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 2). These rhythms are borrowed from Bulgarian folk music.

Morgan Megan is by Turlough O'Carolan, the blind harper and composer who lived in Ireland from 1670-1738 and dedicated many of his tunes to his patrons.

William Coulter composed Bob's Room while visiting a good friend whose interior decor was particularly inspiring.

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