Bill Whelan
{{short description|Irish composer and musician|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{other people|William Whelan}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Bill Whelan
| image =
| image_size =
| landscape =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = William Michael Joseph Whelan{{cite web|url=https://repertoire.bmi.com/Search/Search?Main_Search_Text=timedance&Main_Search=Title&Sub_Search=Please%20Select&Search_Type=all&View_Count=0&Page_Number=0|title=Search results for 'Timedance'|publisher=Broadcast Music, Inc.|access-date=4 August 2023}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1950|05|22|df=y}}
| birth_place = Limerick, Ireland
| genre = Irish traditional music, Celtic, folk, rock,
| occupations = Composer, musician, arranger, record producer, pianist
| instruments = Piano
| years_active = 1970–present
| label =
| website =
}}
William Michael Joseph Whelan (born 22 May 1950) is an Irish composer and musician.Much of the biographical information here is covered in an extensive interview with Marian Finucane on 16 April 2011 on RTÉ Radio 1 He is best known for composing a piece for the interval of the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest. The result, "Riverdance", was a seven-minute piece of original music accompanying a new take on traditional Irish stepdance that became a full-length stage production and spawned a worldwide craze for Irish traditional music and dance. The corresponding soundtrack album earned him a Grammy. "Riverdance" was released as a single in 1994, credited to "Bill Whelan and Anúna featuring the RTÉ Concert Orchestra". It reached number one in Ireland for 18 weeks and number nine in the UK. The album of the same title reached number 31 in the album charts in 1995.
Whelan has also arranged a symphonic suite version of Riverdance, with its premiere performed by the Ulster Orchestra on BBC Radio 3 in August 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04f8nxv|title=Prom 51 (part 1): Free Prom – Dvorak, Grieg, Bax and Bill Whelan|publisher=BBC Radio 3|date=25 August 2014|access-date=25 August 2014}}
A studio recording was released on CD (on the RTÉ lyric fm label) in 2018.
Biography
Whelan is a native of Limerick city, and was educated at Crescent College.{{Cite web |url=https://www.ul.ie/ceremonies/bill-whelan|title=Bill Whelan|date=19 February 2021|website=UL.ie}} He gained his Bachelor of Civil Law degree at University College Dublin in 1973 and then went to King's Inns.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pianofestival.ie/bill_whelan.html|title=Dublin International Piano Festival & Summer Academy | Bill Whelan | Faculty 2015|website=PianoFestival.ie }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/bill-whelan-and-david-brophy-i-m-always-learning-from-bill-h5gljn2md|title=Bill Whelan and David Brophy: 'I'm always learning from Bill' |first=Andrea |last=Smith |work=Sunday Times|url-access=subscription|id={{gale|A718045934}}}} In 2011, Whelan was awarded the UCD Foundation Day Medal in recognition of his outstanding achievements and his contribution to Irish music worldwide.{{Cite web |title=UCD Foundation Day Medal for Grammy Award winner, Bill Whelan|access-date=2022-08-31|website=UCD.ie |url=https://www.ucd.ie/news/2011/11NOV11/071111-UCD-Foundation-Day-Medal-for-Grammy-Award-winner-Bill-Whelan.html }} While he is best known for his "Riverdance" composition and the theatrical show of the same name, Whelan has been involved in many ground-breaking projects in Ireland since the 1970s. In his autobiography, he especially mentions the major influence of James W. Flannery.Flannery gave me a sense that my work as a composer was valuable, and he encouraged me in every way he could. He praised the work. Even though I was slow to believe it, he convinced me to have faith in my skills as a melodist. He wanted me to believe I was equipped with the instinct for the dynamics of drama that a good theatre composer should have. This affirmation was an American thing at the time and wasn't found easily in Ireland.
As a producer he has worked with U2 (on their War album), Van Morrison, Kate Bush, The Dubliners, Planxty, Andy Irvine & Davy Spillane,{{Cite web |publisher=AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/east-wind-mw0000617352/credits|title=East Wind – Andy Irvine, Davy Spillane – Credits – AllMusic}} Patrick Street,{{Cite web |website=irishtune.info |url=https://www.irishtune.info/album/PS+3/|title=Irish Times by Patrick Street – as analyzed at irishtune.info }} Stockton's Wing{{Cite web|url=https://clareherald.com/news/stocktons-wing-to-launch-new-single-19823/|title=Stockton's Wing to launch new single|first=Pat|last=Flynn|date=3 March 2019}} and fellow Limerickman Richard Harris.{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/15303299-Richard-Harris-My-Boy-Why-Did-You-Leave-Me|title=Richard Harris – My Boy / Why Did You Leave Me |publisher=Discogs}}
As an arranger and composer, his credits include:
- Original music (1989–1993) for fifteen W.B. Yeats plays (three per season), which were produced by James W. Flannery for the Yeats International Theatre Festival held at Dublin's Abbey Theatre each September during that period.
- The Seville Suite (1992), which was inspired by the exploits of Aodh Rua Ó Dónaill from The Battle of Kinsale in 1601 until his arrival in Galicia to the welcome of The Spanish Earl of Caraçena.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/bill-whelan-irish-rebels-story-kick-started-my-riverdance-score-0ln7kcvr5|title=Bill Whelan: Irish rebel's story kick-started my Riverdance score|first=Interview by Larissa|last=Nolan|work=The Times|location=London}} In addition to the orchestra, The Seville Suite includes Celtic Music on Uilleann Pipes, accordion, bodhrán, fiddle as well as Galician harp, whistles and pipes.
- The Spirit of Mayo (1993) in honour of Mayo 5000.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/archives/2018/0710/977679-mayo-5000/|title=Mayo 5000|website=RTÉ Archives|access-date=22 May 2025}} Performed by an 85-piece orchestra in Dublin's National Concert Hall and featuring a powerful Celtic drum corps and a 200 strong choir and choral group Anúna.
- The Connemara Suite (2009), features the Irish Chamber Orchestra along with soloists Zoë Conway, Morgan Crowley, Colin Dunne (Dance Percussion) and Fionnuala Hunt.{{Cite web|url=https://journalofmusic.com/opinion/rare-road-irish-music|title=A Rare Road in Irish Music|website=The Journal of Music}}
In theatre, Whelan received a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for his adaption of Gilbert and Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore.{{Cite web |first=Kate|last=Demolder|date=24 September 2022 |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsandculture/arid-40966685.html|title='I still get such a buzz': Bill Whelan remembers Riverdance glory days two decades on|website=Irish Examiner}} His film credits include, Dancing at Lughnasa (starring Meryl Streep), Some Mother's Son,{{cite news |first=Alan |last=Jacques |title=Composer to fund studies |url=http://www.limerickcity.ie/media/whelan,%20bill%2010.pdf |via=LimerickCity.ie }} Lamb (starring Liam Neeson) and the award-winning At The Cinema Palace.{{Cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2bb2423fe6|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426005347/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2bb2423fe6|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 April 2017|title=Bill Whelan|publisher=British Film Institute}}
Career timeline
{{prose|section|date=November 2019}}
Whelan's lifetime of musical endeavours include:
- 1970 – Composes main theme for the film Bloomfield.{{Cite web |url=https://www.irishrock.org/irodb/bands/whelan-bill.html|title=Irish Rock Discography: Bill Whelan |website=irishrock.org}}
- 1978 – Member of the jazz-rock band Stacc, who release a single on CBS.{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishrock.org/irodb/bands/stacc.html|title=Irish Rock Discography: Stacc|website=irishrock.org}}
- 1979 – Joins Planxty on keyboards.
- 1980 – Whelan rearranges and produces What's Another Year for Johnny Logan which wins the Eurovision Song Contest that year.
- 1981 – Timedance, composed by Whelan and Dónal Lunny, and performed by Planxty, features in the interval of Eurovision. Timedance released as a Planxty record.{{cite web|work=Ceolas.org |url=http://www.ceolas.org/artists/Planxty.html|title=Ceolas Profile: Planxty|access-date=1 June 2015}}
- 1983 – Whelan produces "The Refugee" on the U2 album War.{{Cite web |url=https://www.songfacts.com/facts/u2/the-refugee|title=The Refugee by U2|website=Songfacts}}
- 1984 – Film score for Lamb, with Van Morrison
- 1985 – Produces and performs on Stockton's Wing's Live – Take One.{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/4173043-Stocktons-Wing-Live-Take-One |title=Stockton's Wing – Live Take One|publisher=Discogs}}
- 1987 – Composes The O'Riada Suite.{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-irish-traditional-orchestral-fusion-since-1970-has-barrett|title=How the Irish traditional- orchestral fusion since 1970 has contributed to the regeneration and re-popularisation of Irish Traditional Music. |via=LinkedIn}}
- 1987 – Whelan produces Hold Me Now for Johnny Logan which won the Eurovision Song Contest that year.
- 1989 – Joins board of Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO), on which he serves continuously until 1997.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/bill-whelan-bursary-launched-2652531|title=Bill Whelan bursary launched|first=The Hot Press|last=Newsdesk|website=Hotpress}}
- 1989–1993 – In collaboration with James W. Flannery writes original music for the Yeats International Theatre Festival held at Dublin's Abbey Theatre.
- 1990 – Produces and plays keyboards on Andy Irvine's album Rude Awakening, released in early 1991 on the Green Linnet Records label.{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/master/2568008-Andy-Irvine-Rude-Awakening|title=Andy Irvine – Rude Awakening|publisher=Discogs}}
- 1992 – Commissioned to compose The Seville Suite, released on the Tara Music label.
- 1992 – Produces and plays keyboards on the Andy Irvine/Davy Spillane album EastWind, released on the Tara Music label.{{Cite web|publisher=Discogs |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/725205-Andy-Irvine-Davy-Spillane-East-Wind|title=Andy Irvine & Davy Spillane – East Wind}}
- 1992 – Produces and performs on Stockton's Wing's The Crooked Rose for the Tara Music label.{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/master/888723-Stocktons-Wing-The-Crooked-Rose|title=Stockton's Wing – The Crooked Rose|publisher=Discogs}}
- 1993 – Composes the orchestral work The Spirit of Mayo.
- 1994 – Composes Riverdance for interval segment of the Eurovision Song Contest. The segment is an unprecedented success and spins off into the long-running stage show.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005200810/https://eurovision.tv/event/dublin-1994 |archive-date=5 October 2021 |url-status=live|title=Eurovision Song Contest{{snd}}Dublin 1994 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/dublin-1994 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=25 October 2021 }}
- 1995 – Invited to serve on the Government Task Force set up by Minister Michael D. Higgins.{{Cite web|url=https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000039394|title=The PIANO report of the review group PIANO to the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Mr. Michael D. Higgins, T.D. January 1996 on the provision and Institutional arrangements now for orchestras and ensembles|date=23 October 1996|publisher=[Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht]}}{{Cite web|date=13 February 1996|website=Oireachtas.ie |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1996-02-13/78|title=Written Answers. – Task Forces and Review Groups. – Dáil Éireann (27th Dáil) – Tuesday, 13 Feb 1996 – Houses of the Oireachtas}}
- 1996 – Composes original music for Jim Sheridan/Terry George's film Some Mother's Son.
- 1997 – Receives a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album for Riverdance.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2006/0201/whelanb.html|title=Meteor Industry Award for Bill Whelan |publisher=RTÉ|date=1 February 2006|access-date=8 February 2010}}
- 2000 – Riverdance opens on Broadway.{{cite web|last=Dunning|first=Jennifer |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/17/movies/dance-review-with-fast-feet-and-fiddles-an-irish-perennial-returns.html|title=DANCE REVIEW; With Fast Feet and Fiddles, An Irish Perennial Returns|date=17 March 2000 |access-date=9 July 2017}}{{cite web|title=Broadway Opening Night 2000|access-date=1 June 2015 |url=http://riverdance.com/blog/2000/03/17/broadway-opening-night-2000/|date=17 March 2000|work=Riverdance.com }}
- 2001 – Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from IMRO (Irish Music Rights Organisation){{cite web |url=https://imro.ie/press-releases/6890/ |title=Bill Whelan and Brendan Graham first inductees to new IMRO Academy |date=6 April 2011 |website=IMRO.ie}}
- 2006 – Receives Lifetime Achievement Award at the Meteor Music Awards.{{cite web |url=http://www.meteor.ie/about/music_awards/mima_winners/ |archive-date=2009-02-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201113547/http://www.meteor.ie/about/music_awards/mima_winners/ |url-status=dead|title=Meteor Ireland Music Awards Past Winners |publisher=Meteor |access-date=14 March 2009 |date=1 February 2009}}
- 2008 – Releases his Celtic orchestral album The Connemara Suite on the Tara Music label.
- 2010 – Joins the board of the National Music Education Programme.{{Cite web |date=11 May 2010 |url=https://www.iayo.ie/news/director-of-national-music-education-programme-announced/|title=Director of National Music Education Programme Announced}}
- 2011 – Inaugural inductee into IMRO Academy
- 2022 – Whelan's autobiography The Road To Riverdance is published.{{Cite web|first=John |last=Meagher |title=Composer Bill Whelan reveals Riverdance rows and the joy of working with Kate Bush |url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/composer-bill-whelan-reveals-riverdance-rows-and-the-joy-of-working-with-kate-bush-42083228.html |website=Irish Independent |date=22 October 2022}}
Discography
As a keyboard player, or as an arranger, he has contributed to these albums:
- The Woman I Loved So Well (Planxty) (1980)
- Words & Music (Planxty) (1983)
- Irish Times (Patrick Street) (1990)
- Rude Awakening (Andy Irvine) (1991) Green Linnet Records
- East Wind (Andy Irvine & Davy Spillane) (1992) Tara Music
- The Seville Suite (various artists) (1992) Tara Music
- Riverdance: Music from the Show (various artists) (1995)
- The Best of Patrick Street (Patrick Street) (1995)
- Some Mother's Son (various artists) (1996)
- L'Imaginaire Irlandais (various artists) (1996)
- Roots of Riverdance (various artists) (1997)
- Dancing at Lughnasa (various artists) (1998)
- Riverdance on Broadway (various artists) (2000)
- Zoe Conway (Zoe Conway) (2002) Tara Music
- A Christmas Carol (various artists) (2007)
- The Connemara Suite (2008) Tara Music
- Riverdance A Symphonic Suite (2018)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|0924013}}
- [http://www.limerickcity.ie/Library/LocalStudies/LocalStudiesFiles/W/WhelanBill/ Bill Whelan file at Limerick City Library, Ireland]
{{Michael Flatley}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Whelan, Bill}}
Category:20th-century Irish composers
Category:21st-century Irish composers
Category:Alumni of King's Inns
Category:Alumni of University College Dublin
Category:Musicians from County Limerick
Category:Patrick Street members
Category:People educated at Crescent College
Category:20th-century Irish pianists