Colin O'Donohoe

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Want to take a listen to all of the songs on an album? Check these links out:

Songs of the Saints



Shi Jing: Ancient Book of Songs



Itunes:



Shi Jing: Ancient Book of Songs -

This is my first solo album. It came as a culmination of the time I spent with New Moon Orchestra as well as my own studies of ancient philosophy. I've done my best to keep the integrity of the text in tact while adding modern elements. In some cases I have used the old Mandarin in the pieces. Please take a listen and let me know what you think! More information is included in a blog above.



Songs of the Saints



A brief description of the songs and what I was thinking while creating them:



St. Michael –



A woman stands and prays for her angel to come and vanquish the evil. St. Michael soars above with his army of angels to fight the devil. A spectacular conflict between good and evil arises.



These are the visions I had as I composed this piece. It brought me back to a time a place where I heard ancient instruments and familiar cries. I wanted to create a musical landscape that bridged the time and continents in an attempt to make it as universal as possible. The Bouzouki was the essential element in bringing this piece its identity. I love how the percussion pushes the piece along and the vocals seem untouched by the surrounding passions of the orchestra.



St. Francis of Assisi



I love the story of this Saint. I love that he has done so much good and that so much good has been done in his name. He is a marvelous figure who answered God's call to him.



I wanted the music to reflect the idea of being in a Church, hearing a prayer, and then springing to action. People are called in various places and at various times, it is up to us to answer that call. I wanted the music to answer that call! The high soprano takes over and sings a passionate melody. The percussion adds excitement and turmoil, the soprano returns and the piece finishes with a reflective piano.



St. Catherine of Sienna



She is one of the most interesting figures that I wrote about. She has been noted to have had visions (some called them hallucinations) throughout her life. She persevered through so many challenges to accomplish great good in her life.



The piece is placed in an odd meter while the melodies play in the traditional 4/4. This is purposely done to demonstrate the unstable ground on which she treads throughout her life. There are visions and sounds throughout the piece that serve as her visions or hallucinations.



Above all else St. Catherine is a symbol of peace and hope. She was a true visionary who did great work in a time where woman were not highly regarded. My composition attempts to be a beautiful dedication to her.



St. Brigid – Mary of the Gae l



A Pagan king lies dying and St. Brigid rushes to his side and preaches him the gospel. He is overcome with emotion at the telling of the words of God. He converts and while his body can't be saved, his soul is.



My music has three main characters: St. Brigid, the king, and the Holy Ghost. It is a theatrical piece which strives to bring the listener to the very day in which this miracle occurred.



St. Sebastian



This piece came to me as I was walking through the garden of a St. Sebastian church in Pittsburgh PA. I was inspired by the saint and the garden with its beautiful statues to write this piece. I knew that I had to go home and learn more about this saint.



The music works to bring the listener back to the state of mind I was in when the inspiration hit me: The magnificent church, the reflective mood, the feeling of pure beauty in a world so conflicted and troubled. The flute soars above the music and brings with it a sense of peace. The peace I felt that fall afternoon in Pittsburgh.



St. Valentine



The song is simple yet filled with metaphor. A quiet song about a girl hoping for a love and peace worthy of the name Valentine.



I wanted it to be smooth, soulful, pretty, and sexy, all of which lead the piece forward. Not a ballad, but a piece about yearning, a piece about the desire to find peace through love.



St. Benedict



During my time in Phoenix Arizona I worked for a wonderful parish named St. Benedict. During this time I loved performing on drum set for two masses a week. The people there were wonderful and I had the great opportunity to use my talents in helping people celebrate God.



This congregation is the inspiration for the music. The music itself is solely about St. Benedict himself though. He was a great man who led to incredibly wonderful things done throughout the world.



Hail Mary



This is written from the perspective of Joseph. While he had great dreams from the Holy Spirit, it must still be difficult to accept the role he was given. It is my opinion that it may have been a larger inner struggle for him than the Bible describes to us.



Mary deserves the highest seat among the saints for her most important role. She fulfilled her duties with unfrequented faith and love. For this I needed to include her in the album.



Amazing Grace



This is a beautiful song that I have played countless times. It remains as true and soulful today as when it was first sung. I only added my own personal style to it. I brought it into a minor key and stretched the meter a bit.



Sonata Lucia



This is the 2nd movement of a three movement piece dedication to St. Lucia. It was written while I was losing my eyesight to macular degeneration. I thought while I was struggling with it that writing a piece to the patron saint of eyesight might bring me some comfort. It did successfully keep my mind and spirit on something positive.



BIO

Colin O'Donohoe has performed/composed/conducted, and recorded professionally

in various genres since 1996. In 1996 O’Donohoe began

his career in Phoenix Arizona by performing drum set in jazz and swing

bands.

Colin O'Donohoe has performed on drum set in many styles including; Rock, Country, Blues, Musicals, Christian, Funk, Cuban, Chinese, Brazilian, Arabic, and other ethnic ensembles.



In 2004 O'Donohoe founded and led Pittsburgh's East Asian Orchestra:

New Moon Orchestra. This ensemble performed in festivals and concerts until

June of 2006. Colin then went on to record his first album with an

independent label "Ocean Media". The album was released in late 2006.

The music combines Ancient Chinese text with modern American

elements. After building upon the success of that album, Colin composed and recorded his second album “Songs of the Saints” which was released on February 6, 2008.

CD Projects –



Donohoe

Songs of the Saints

Ocean Media, LLC (2008)



Donohoe

Shi Jing: Ancient Book of Songs

Ocean Media, LLC (2006)



To learn more please visit www.donohoemusic.com

If you enjoy the music… Buy the Shi Jing!!

or Buy Songs of the Saints!!