.
Released as 2002 came to a close, the choir's vast 24-track selection spans a wide cross-section of their prior recordings. With a total running time of just over 75 minutes, it is their first release on the Universal Classics label. A complete roster of the singers involved and the director's standard numerical cross-referencing scheme has been used to identify the soloists in each of the tracks. Lucy Champion and Joanna Fagan dominate the soprano solos and are each featured on five tracks. Lyrical content within the material varies between Gaelic and English.
As the album title implies, the album is a collection of the "best of" the group's prior recordings. The choir creates their music largely without accompaniment; an occasional percussion part adds needed rhythm while traditional strings and woodwinds provide sprinklings of other flavours to some of the material. Different textures arise primarily from the vocal arrangements. The track sequence on Essential Anúna varies between male-dominated, female-dominated and full choir sounds. Clearly "Gaudete" is one of the standout tracks--it includes all three of these arrangement styles in one short piece.
McGlynn has selected a wide range of top vocal talent to participate in the choir. But it is the soaring soprano solos that set the material apart for many. It is not surprising that some of these women have ventured away from the choir to start solo careers. Their individual contributions are not specifically singled out in the liner notes of this release. Lynn Hilary's solo in "The Wild Song" and solos by Kim Lynch and Lucy Champion in "The Rising Of The Sun" are two of the notable. Equally delighteful is Lucy's solo in "Miserere."
The Irish classic "Siúil, A Rúin" will clearly be one of the album's standouts for many listeners. Recorded earlier by Clannad, Capercaillie and a bevy of other artists, the choir's rendition is vocally lush, supported well by instrumental arrangements and Lucy Champion's lead is stunning. Joanna Fagan's rendition of "Winter, Fire and Snow" is equally delightful; choir arrangements and acoustic guitar provide perfect accompaniment for the lead singer. Lucy and Joanna's solos are supported by a lush harp arrangement and a collection of other female singers in "Hymn To The Virgin." Secret Garden's (review) rich arrangement of "I Know A Rose Tree" featuring the full choir concludes the album. Indeed this album is Essential Anúna
01 - Media Vita
02 - Miserere
03 - The Flower of Maherally
04 - The Blue Bird
05 - Gaudete
06 - August
07 - Ave Generosa
08 - O Viridissima
09 - Behind the Closed Eye
10 - The Wild Song
11 - The Rising of the Sun
12 - Cormacus Scripsit
13 - Pater Noster
14 - Siúil, A Rúin
15 - Wind on Sea
16 - Pie Jesu
17 - Victimae
18 - Amarque cum Scuto
19 - Nobilis Humilis
20 - Fionnghuala
21 - Winter, Fire and Snow
22 - Innisfree
23 - Hymn to the Virgin
24 - I Know a Rose Tree (extra track)
Covers included
