The "Irish Fantasy" is based on a folk song called "The Clergyman's Lamentation" by Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738). Carolan, a blind harpist who often traveled by horse, is considered by many to be Ireland's national composer.
I decided to embark on this composition journey after listening to "The Clergyman's Lamentation" repeatedly in the background while playing an action packed role-playing game called FATE when I was 11 years old. The game I played that used the Irish folk song in the background looked something like the picture below:
The composition process started when I was in college at the Curtis Institute of Music in the 'old building' practice room (I was 19 then). At the time, I didn't know what the folk song was actually called; I just remembered how it sounded like from my childhood. I played around with the tune, added some chords here and there, and eventually after a few weeks, I created the first version of Irish Fantasy after adding some additional content to the folk song. This version was premiered at World Cafe Live in year 2014.
Unfortunately, I was not so satisfied with the first version, even though people apparently liked how it sounded; the ending of the piece was just not good enough for me. So I went back to the drawing board to see what I could come up with. I decided a good way to end the piece would be to draw influences from the Bowser's castle boss theme from the Nintendo game called Super Mario World 2. This was a game I used to play on the Gameboy Advance when I was around 8 years old. Its amazing how we never forget sounds from the past, no matter how long ago.
I remember the Bowser's castle theme sounding very menacing, with lots of parallel fifths, and decided this 'feeling' was a good fit for the Irish Fantasy ending; you can even hear these parallel fifths in the video I posted below.
Are you ready to play the Irish Fantasy? You can buy the sheet music here.
Thanks for reading!
-Xavier Foley
308 commentaires
Am using this opportunity to thank Dr. Guba is a grateful thing to me, for over years I have been sick with Hepatitis B disease, I have done a lot of things to get cured of my diseases and nothing has worked out. I have taken different types of medication for it , but it still doesn’t work for me. I still keep going for a check up so that the doctor will tell me my disease has be gone, because i’m taking my medicine with no result nothing has been cured, I have spent a lot of money just to get cure of Hepatitis B. until my old time friend came to my place and saw what am going through, and then direct me to contact Dr. Guba who is a very powerful man, which I did explain my problem to Dr. Guba and send me a herbal remedy bottle and explain to me how I should drink it. So I started to drink the herbal tea in one week that I drink the herbal tea. I went for a check up to check if I’m cured from Hepatitis B disease, then the nurse told me nothing is wrong with me anymore and said I’m fine. I am the happiest person right now. I promise Dr. Guba I will testify about his good work on the internet. Reach out to Him Via: drgubahealingherbs@gmail.com Thank you so much sir for what you did for me you’re the best of all. WhatsApp +2348162388034 OR website: https://drgubahealingherbs.wixsite.com/guba-healing-herbs
I got cured miraculously from HPV Virus using herbs by Dr. Guba who sent me some herbal medicines and I used them as instructed within two weeks. Before I knew I was totally healed, I visited my doctor for a medical examination. Behold, I am negative. I introduced this great doctor to a couple of infected friends who also tried the medication and they were cured as well . Please if you have this virus and you have tried so many things or have been deceived severally, here is your final solution for you send him an email via: Drgubahealingherbs@gmail.com or WhatsApp: + 234 816 238 8034 or website: https://drgubahealingherbs.wixsite.com/guba-healing-herbs
I got cured miraculously from HPV Virus using herbs by Dr. Guba who sent me some herbal medicines and I used them as instructed within two weeks. Before I knew I was totally healed, I visited my doctor for a medical examination. Behold, I am negative. I introduced this great doctor to a couple of infected friends who also tried the medication and they were cured as well . Please if you have this virus and you have tried so many things or have been deceived severally, here is your final solution for you send him an email via: Drgubahealingherbs@gmail.com or WhatsApp: + 234 816 238 8034 or website: https://drgubahealingherbs.wixsite.com/guba-healing-herbs
I got cured miraculously from HPV Virus using herbs by Dr. Guba who sent me some herbal medicines and I used them as instructed within two weeks. Before I knew I was totally healed, I visited my doctor for a medical examination. Behold, I am negative. I introduced this great doctor to a couple of infected friends who also tried the medication and they were cured as well . Please if you have this virus and you have tried so many things or have been deceived severally, here is your final solution for you send him an email via: Drgubahealingherbs@gmail.com or WhatsApp: + 234 816 238 8034 or website: https://drgubahealingherbs.wixsite.com/guba-healing-herbs
I got cured miraculously from HPV Virus using herbs by Dr. Guba who sent me some herbal medicines and I used them as instructed within two weeks. Before I knew I was totally healed, I visited my doctor for a medical examination. Behold, I am negative. I introduced this great doctor to a couple of infected friends who also tried the medication and they were cured as well . Please if you have this virus and you have tried so many things or have been deceived severally, here is your final solution for you send him an email via: Drgubahealingherbs@gmail.com or WhatsApp: + 234 816 238 8034 or website: https://drgubahealingherbs.wixsite.com/guba-healing-herbs