The Taliesin Orchestra (alternately known as Taliesin) is an American musical group (generally classified as
new-age
New Age is a range of spiritual or religious practices and beliefs which rapidly grew in Western society during the early 1970s. Its highly eclectic and unsystematic structure makes a precise definition difficult. Although many scholars conside ...
) that specializes in remaking famous songs into orchestra-style melodies. The band's first album, ''Orinoco Flow: The Music of Enya'', was a collection of songs originally created and sung by
Enya
Enya Patricia Brennan (; ga, Eithne Pádraigín Ní Bhraonáin; born 17 May 1961), known professionally by the mononym Enya, is an Irish singer, songwriter, and musician known for modern Celtic music. She is the best-selling Irish solo arti ...
; it was released in 1996. Since then the band has recorded several other albums, some of them being further Enya remakes, but also including albums of songs by
George Winston
George Winston (born December 26, 1949) is an American pianist, guitarist, harmonicist, and record producer. He was born in Michigan and raised mainly in Montana ( Miles City and Billings), as well as Mississippi and Florida. He is best known fo ...
and
Jim Brickman
James Merrill Brickman (born November 20, 1961) is an American pop songwriter, pianist and radio host. Brickman has earned two Grammy nominations for his albums ''Peace'' (2003) for Best Instrumental, and ''Faith'' (2009) for Best New Age Album ...
. Originally on ''Anthem'' (1997) and again on ''Rock Rhapsody'' (2008) the band covered such famous songs such as
Pink Floyd's "
Another Brick In The Wall
"Another Brick in the Wall" is a three-part composition on Pink Floyd's 1979 rock opera ''The Wall,'' written by bassist Roger Waters. "Part 2", a protest song against corporal punishment, and rigid and abusive schooling, features a childre ...
",
Eric Clapton's "
Layla
"Layla" is a song written by Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon, originally recorded by Derek and the Dominos, as the thirteenth track from their only studio album, ''Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs'' (1970). Its contrasting movements were compose ...
" and
The Beatles' "
Hey Jude
"Hey Jude" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles that was released as a non-album single in August 1968. It was written by Paul McCartney and credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership. The single was the Beatles' first release o ...
". The band covered the famous music piece "
Adagio For Strings
''Adagio for Strings'' is a work by Samuel Barber, arguably his best known, arranged for string orchestra from the second movement of his String Quartet, Op. 11.
Barber finished the arrangement in 1936, the same year that he wrote the quarte ...
"
The Taliesin Orchestra is led by keyboardist Trammell Starks and features the voice, vocal arranging, vocal production, and in some cases songwriting of Felicia Farerre (aka Felicia Sorensen). Charles Sayre acts as conductor, producer and arranger.
[Jason Ankeny, Biography of Taliesin Orchestra www.allmusic.com.]
Discography
Enya tributes
* 1996 ''
Orinoco Flow: The Music of Enya''
* 1998 ''
Maiden of Mysteries: Music of Enya''
* 2002 ''
Thread of Time: The Best of the Music of Enya''
* 2005 ''Sail Away: The Music of Enya''
* 2006 ''An Instrumental Tribute to the Hits of Enya''
* 2009 ''Tribute to the Hits of Enya''
Other
* 1997 ''Forbidden Forest: Impressions of George Winston''
* 1997 ''Anthem''
* 2002 ''Sacred''
* 2004 ''Valentine: The Music of Jim Brickman''
* 2005 ''Top of the World: A Tribute to the Carpenters''
* 2008 ''Rock Rhapsody''
* 2008 "Bella's Lullaby (Piano Version) For 'Twilight'"
Notes
External links
{{Authority control
New-age music groups