Ciàran Somers

Irish Flute
1

Hi,
Do you know this awesome (in my humble opinion) flautist?
What do you know about him? I’m searching audio files or registration about his style, I’ve already bought is “Faoi Bhlaith” album…
Thanks ;D

2

Video here

http://source.pipers.ie/Search/SearchResult.aspx?searchTerm=flute&startRowIndex=216&pageSize=12&mediaId=4752

and on youtube

3

He’s a great player. A piper, too. From Carlow I believe. He’s a tutor at Willie Week and a lovely, modest man.

4

I agree with David. Ciarán is a great musician and bloke.

5

Does anyone know what type of flute he is playing. Great player.


Ballygo

6

Looks like a PolJez.

7

Yes, it is a PolJez. :wink:

8

On his track for Wooden Flute Obsession volume 3, he was playing a D flute made by George and Manby.

Kevin Krell

9

At Willie Week 2003 I think Ciarán also had a Wilkes keyed C. He very kindly offered me the loan of the flute during the week in case I happened upon a C session. At the time Peter was playing with Kitty Hayes. I was overwhelmed of course, but declined. Just the thought of the enormous responsibilty of keeping tabs on someone else’s Wilkes during Willie Week made me nervous, plus we were sleeping in a tent up the Ballard Road and it often got rowdy during the night. I had just acquired a Wilkes D and was struggling with it at the time as I didn’t know that fiddling with the adjustable stopper had such an effect on tuning. Ciarán noticed straight away that something was awry and set me straight. I don’t know if he still has the Wilkes C?

10

Have you maybe some references about him? Maybe an e-mail address!

11

Ciaran still has the “C” keyed Wilkes. You can hear it on his lovely CD, Faoi Bhláth, that he made with Dave Sheridan. His D flute is made by Pol Jezequel, as has been noted, who is one of a number of accomplished French and Breton flute-makers. Faoi Bhláth is still one of my favorite CDs.

I was listening to it a couple of years ago, driving home after a hard day at the shop during Willie Week. I was anxious to be home and I was driving along the narrow country road faster than I should have. Two miles from home I came up behind my neighbor’s cows, udders heavy with the day’s milk. I had to stop and wait for them, despite my desire to be home. As Ciaran’s playing of Melodie Purleth came on the CD player my tension drained out of me. I was happy to wait, listening to this lovely music as the light rain fell on the misty fields and the cows ambled down the road ahead of me. At that moment everything was as it ought be.