Introduction

Music lovers may know me from my prior manuscript, The History of Music in Erinn. It was my hope, in that work, to shine a light on the colorful history of our ancestors across Erinn and the beautiful music that they wrote, as well as to share some of what I've learned through my personal study into the history of music in Erinn.

Reactions to that book varied greatly. I will always treasure the kind, encouraging words I received, from those who found it to be an organized, informative compilation of the history of music in Erinn. Unfortunately, others found the book too difficult to follow.

The thought has haunted me that, despite my intentions, the book may have driven more casual music fans AWAY from music. In discussing this matter with my students, I came to the conclusion that I need to write a second reference book, one filled with simple, approachable language that can be appreciated by casual music fans and historians alike.

Through that seed of doubt, this book took shape. I hope to put the spotlight back on the composers throughout history that left their mark on the music in Erinn, with a special focus on three influential composers.

In truth, the thought of my writing doing more harm than good still plagues me. If my work diminishes even one musician's love of music, the cost will be too great. I am deathly afraid that, despite my best efforts, I may have made the same mistakes again in this second volume. But it is my sincere hope that, through this book, I can help you--and every other reader!--gain a better understanding and appreciation of the history of our music.

May everyone that reads this book be blessed with the same love for music as these three composers had throughout their lives.

Lastly, I owe my sincere gratitude to my wonderful student, for his hard work transcribing and editing this book. Thank you, Nele.

Cairbre, the God of Music

A true history of bards in Erinn can start with one name only: Cairbre.

Of course, there were bards before him, but they were bards of a different kind. When Partholons ruled Erinn, music was used merely to emphasize a story. Lyrics (if a song had any at all) were simple and straightforward, lacking poetry. The melodies themselves were similarly limited, and they lacked standardization. Each time a song was played, it changed based on the performer's recollection of it--and frequently, it did not change for the better. Such was the sad state of affairs when Cairbre stepped onto the metaphorical stage and changed everything.

He was blessed with incredible abilities, not just as a composer and instrumentalist, but as a poet and lyricist, too. After he mastered all the common songs passed down during and after the Second Battle of Mag Tuireadh, he saw a need to standardize and preserve these works for future musicians, and thus he invented the Music Scroll format that we use to this day. In his own work, he was a keen observer of society, and inspired generations of musicians that came after him to bring social commentary and consciousness into their work.

He sang of life experiences that were shared by many in his heavy, natural bass. Indeed, it is said that his voice sang the whole history of the world. He played with a verve and emotionality that lifted a song above what it is in the score and breathed new life into it. His original compositions are still revered today. For all these reasons and more, he is called the God of Music.

He was, of course, highly respected for his musicality, but that was not the whole of his influence. Many loved him for his ability to create songs that transcended their traditional role in the background, turning music into a language that could support deep, open communication between people.

He was unafraid to correct wrongs wherever he saw them, even when it put him at odds with powerful people. He proved this in his opposition of the traitor Bres, who made a deal with the Fomors. Throughout his life, he stood bravely against corruption and evil in the world. Many bards today are inspired by his life as well as his music. It is impossible to overstate the effect Cairbre had on musicians of his time. He raised the bar for all musicians for generations to come, and his influence is felt even today. His unwavering faith in goodness gave hope to all that the world can be changed through the power of music.

After Cairbre, music scores became widespread, letting more people than ever before create music for themselves. He is such a towering figure in the study of music, it is hard to see how any musician that follows could compare. Even so, we must highlight those who built upon what he began.

Abcan, the King of Strings

The war which we call the Second Battle of Mag Tuireadh was a long and painful series of clashes between humans and Fomors. However, when at last humans emerged victorious, it did not take long for it to become a favored subject for bards of the time.

This created an unprecedented environment. Since all bards sang of the same things, listeners began to compare the musicians based less on their personalities and experiences and more on musicianship and technical skill. In that era of competition, Abcan emerged at the forefront.

Abcan earned the moniker "King of Strings" for his ability to coax sounds out of instruments that were so beautiful that they were frequently thought to be from the heavens. His voice was so sultry and alluring that it was said to bring many who heard it to tears. There's even a legend that a fairy heard him singing one day and tried to bring him to the land of fairies.

Like many of his day, he mainly sang songs of war, and although stories of the war had been passed down to us today, the sheer breadth of the emotional impact he made on society in his time is lost to us today. This loss may be one of the greatest tragedies of our history.

Abcan's music is testament to the importance of technique, both instrumental or vocal. Many believe his influence led directly to the development and proliferation of the disciplined music education courses we benefit from today.

Enn, the Wizard of Words

If Abcan was noted for the sheer beauty of sound, there was another bard who took a different path to improving music for us all. Her name was Enn, though she is better-known these days as the Wizard of Words. In order to truly understand why she is known thus, one must first reach an understanding of the musical trends of the day.

Even though music was improving by leaps and bounds over the years, people also began to transcribe old songs, from the Partholon days and even earlier, onto music scores. Those legends and stories were preserved through these songs, but that could only go so far. This is why a group of historians decided to step in and began writing music from their extensive knowledge of the history. Their work kept the history and legacy of our ancestors intact, and reminded everyone of past glories.

Enn came to prominence as a member of this school. She was equal parts historian and teacher, and she spent her whole life popularizing history through song. She wrote music that paired perfectly with historically well-researched lyrics. Her songs were masterfully catchy, yet nevertheless frequently carried heavy messages. Her lyrics, in particular, were lauded for their clarity and vivid imagery, causing some to describe them as poems disguised as songs. Those that were fortunate enough to hear them found the experience as intellectually stimulating as they were emotional; many druids-in-training and scholars of the time flocked to listen to them.

She began her training as a druid, and, in fact, was well on her way to becoming one, when she realized the weight and influence of music in our society. She then set out to become a musician. Already well-studied in history, magic, and the many other subjects she studied as a druid-in-training, she lent music in Erinn a druidic quality that it had previously been lacking.

While her melodies by themselves may not have caused much excitement, her polished lyrics elevated each song. In fact, some music historians have pointed out the fact that she seemed to spend the vast majority of her time working on her lyrics, much more than she spent on melody. Of course, this focus means many musicologists question her contributions to music in Erinn.

Despite this controversy, her attitude towards music and her lyrical prowess cause her to be well-regarded by many to this day. Her influence is clearly felt in the generations of musicians that follow her, who have brought her sensibilities into wind and orchestral music, bringing them to the forefront of music in Erinn.

However, her reputation is tarnished by her attempts at instilling spell-like effects in music, trying to tie music to the world of wizardry, and she remains a target of criticism for many a music purist to this day.

Lessons We Can Learn

Ever since Abcan and Enn proved that music could trigger changes in ability, a disturbing trend has spread through the music world. Many see music not as art, an end to itself, but rather as a means to achieve their agenda, and nothing more. Abcan and Enn didn't truly begin this, of course. In the Second Battle of Mag Tuireadh, many bards and druids used music for military purposes. However, this music was only meant to inspire troops before a fight, instilling courage and helping them overcome fear. Using music as a weapon or a component in a spell was still banned in most schools of music in those days. Nowadays, music might hold a hidden, more sinister message.

Perhaps this is why Cairbre's greatness lives on to this day. In an era that treats music as little more than a tool, it is refreshing to remember his compositions. His was music at its purest, most meaningful form. It moved anyone and everyone that heard it.

The problem we face is the scourge of magical music. Yes, there is a long tradition of Druidic music, as we can see through Enn, so perhaps it is unavoidable that some druids came to instill magic into their songs. However, we can see its peril by the fact that one of the great villains of the time, Jabchiel, a wizard of terrible malice, was said to be a master of magical music. On the other hand, Mores, the great wizard that put an end to Jabchiel's destruction, believed firmly that, although there was a benefit to druids studying and listening to music to understand society, using music for magical purposes held great danger.

In our current day and age, the very value of music is being tested. Music's true power, that of moving someone's heart, is disregarded. Now more than ever, we must fight to keep the spirit of music alive, and show gratitude to our ancestors and all they have done to preserve this artform for our enjoyment. We must also take lessons from Abcan and Enn, and seriously consider our music, and what kind of legacy we'll leave for the next generations.