Celtic music: Difference between revisions
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'''Celtic music''' refers to the traditional or folk music that originates from countries or regions that, until a few hundred years ago, used Celtic languages. These include, especially, [[Irish traditional music]] (played throughout the island of [[Ireland]] and countries of the [[Irish diaspora]]) and [[Scottish traditional music]] (of [[Scotland]] as well as [[Cape Breton Island]] in Canada), but also [[Welsh traditional music]] (from [[Wales]]), Cornish traditional music (from [[Cornwall]] in [[England]]), [[Manx folk music]] (of the [[Isle of Man]]), [[Breton folk music]] (from [[Brittany]], in the northwest of France), and [[Galician folk music]] (from [[Galicia]], in the northwest of Spain). While [[Northumbrian traditional music]] is perhaps not strictly Celtic, the music of [[Northumbria]]--in the extreme north of England--shares affinities with Scottish music. | '''Celtic music''' refers to the traditional or folk music that originates from countries or regions that, until a few hundred years ago, used Celtic languages. These include, especially, [[Irish traditional music]] (played throughout the island of [[Ireland]] and countries of the [[Irish diaspora]]) and [[Scottish traditional music]] (of [[Scotland]] as well as [[Cape Breton Island]] in Canada), but also [[Welsh traditional music]] (from [[Wales]]), Cornish traditional music (from [[Cornwall]] in [[England]]), [[Manx folk music]] (of the [[Isle of Man]]), [[Breton folk music]] (from [[Brittany]], in the northwest of France), and [[Galician folk music]] (from [[Galicia]], in the northwest of Spain). While [[Northumbrian traditional music]] is perhaps not strictly Celtic, the music of [[Northumbria]]--in the extreme north of England--shares affinities with Scottish music. | ||
The term "Celtic music" implies that there is a single "Celtic tradition." However, virtually no one familiar with these various traditions believes that. The term is perhaps in greatest currency by music sales companies, as as catch-all genre term for music of Ireland and Scotland. | |||
Indeed, scholars have not reached any firm conclusions about genetic relations between the traditional musics of Ireland and Scotland, on the one hand, and Brittany and Galicia, on the other. The musics of Ireland and Scotland are more closely related than any of these others, due to well-known (and ongoing) cross-pollination between the traditions. Many Irish [[reel (music)|reels]] originated in Scotland, and many Irish jigs and other tunes are played in Scotland. The [[Donegal fiddle tradition]] represents the coming-together of these two broad traditions. | |||
It is extremely unlikely that modern Celtic music bears any relation to [[ancient Celtic music]]. Most of the tune types and instruments were created in recent centuries. | It is extremely unlikely that modern Celtic music bears any relation to [[ancient Celtic music]]. Most of the tune types and instruments were created in recent centuries. | ||
There is, however, a whole modern-day brand of "[[folk music]]" that uses the imagery and mythology of pagan Celtic culture. This is one sort of | There is, however, a whole modern-day brand of "[[folk music]]" that uses the imagery and mythology of pagan Celtic culture, and which often goes under the name "Celtic music." This is one sort of "Celtic music" that is not specifically locatable. It may be thought of as a musical analogue to the revival of [[paganism|pagan religions]]. | ||
Revision as of 18:59, 7 May 2008
Celtic music refers to the traditional or folk music that originates from countries or regions that, until a few hundred years ago, used Celtic languages. These include, especially, Irish traditional music (played throughout the island of Ireland and countries of the Irish diaspora) and Scottish traditional music (of Scotland as well as Cape Breton Island in Canada), but also Welsh traditional music (from Wales), Cornish traditional music (from Cornwall in England), Manx folk music (of the Isle of Man), Breton folk music (from Brittany, in the northwest of France), and Galician folk music (from Galicia, in the northwest of Spain). While Northumbrian traditional music is perhaps not strictly Celtic, the music of Northumbria--in the extreme north of England--shares affinities with Scottish music.
The term "Celtic music" implies that there is a single "Celtic tradition." However, virtually no one familiar with these various traditions believes that. The term is perhaps in greatest currency by music sales companies, as as catch-all genre term for music of Ireland and Scotland.
Indeed, scholars have not reached any firm conclusions about genetic relations between the traditional musics of Ireland and Scotland, on the one hand, and Brittany and Galicia, on the other. The musics of Ireland and Scotland are more closely related than any of these others, due to well-known (and ongoing) cross-pollination between the traditions. Many Irish reels originated in Scotland, and many Irish jigs and other tunes are played in Scotland. The Donegal fiddle tradition represents the coming-together of these two broad traditions.
It is extremely unlikely that modern Celtic music bears any relation to ancient Celtic music. Most of the tune types and instruments were created in recent centuries.
There is, however, a whole modern-day brand of "folk music" that uses the imagery and mythology of pagan Celtic culture, and which often goes under the name "Celtic music." This is one sort of "Celtic music" that is not specifically locatable. It may be thought of as a musical analogue to the revival of pagan religions.