"Celtic Woman" Soundtrack Lyrics

"Celtic Woman" Soundtrack Description

Questions & Answers

Is there an official album for this show?

Yes. The self-titled studio album “Celtic Woman” (Manhattan Records) was released on March 1, 2005, alongside a PBS concert special and DVD. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Who performs on the 2004–2005 debut?

The original lineup: vocalists Chloë Agnew, Órla Fallon, Lisa Kelly, Méav Ní Mhaolchatha, and fiddler Máiréad Nesbitt. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Where was the concert filmed?

At The Helix Theatre in Dublin (September 2004); PBS first broadcast it in March 2005 in the U.S. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Did the album chart?

It hit No. 1 on Billboard’s World Music chart and stayed there an unprecedented 81 weeks. Trusted source: Billboard. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Is the performance available on DVD, and who directed it?

Yes—the DVD (often titled “The Show”) runs about 1h 57m and was directed by John Comiskey. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Can I stream the album?

Yes—major platforms list an 18-track edition (regional bonuses vary). Trusted source: Apple Music. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Overview

How do you launch a brand-new act and, overnight, feel classic? “Celtic Woman” answers with crystalline vocals, a show-stealing fiddle, and arrangements that make traditional airs sit comfortably beside film themes and pop standards. Producer/arranger David Downes frames the quintet like a chamber ensemble one minute and an arena-ready crossover act the next. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

The studio album dropped on March 1, 2005, just as PBS broadcast the concert filmed at Dublin’s Helix Theatre—synergy that propelled the record to No. 1 on Billboard’s World Albums chart for a record-smashing run. Trusted source: PBS. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

Additional Info

• The DVD version (“The Show”) runs ~117 minutes; Region 1 and Region 2 editions circulated via Manhattan/EMI. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
• Line-up on the debut: Chloë Agnew, Órla Fallon, Lisa Kelly, Méav Ní Mhaolchatha, Máiréad Nesbitt. Trusted source: Wikipedia. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
• Japanese CD pressings added two live bonus tracks (“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” “I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls”). :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
• Chart feat: the debut held No. 1 for 81 weeks; the follow-up “A Christmas Celebration” briefly replaced it, keeping the act atop for 112 consecutive weeks. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
• Choral forces: the Aontas Choral Group appears on selections (“She Moved Thru’ the Fair,” etc.). :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
• Label credit: Manhattan Records (EMI) for the 2005 releases; streaming editions show 18 tracks (region-dependent). :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
• DVD director: John Comiskey; musical direction/orchestrations: David Downes. Trusted source: Discogs. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}

Notes & Trivia

• Downes previously served as musical director for “Riverdance”—you can hear that theatrical polish in the crescendos. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
• Several tracks are film-connected covers: “May It Be” (The Lord of the Rings), “Somewhere” (West Side Story), “Nella Fantasia” (from Morricone’s “Gabriel’s Oboe”). :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
• “You Raise Me Up” closed many early shows and became a signature encore. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
• The debut’s momentum helped the group dominate 2007’s year-end World Albums tallies. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
• The Helix would host milestone returns—including the 20th-anniversary PBS concert. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}

Genres & Themes

Celtic / traditional supplies the spine—airs like “She Moved Thru’ the Fair” and the instrumental “The Butterfly” ground the set in modal melody and ornamentation.

Classical crossover polishes the edges: Bach/Gounod’s “Ave Maria” and Morricone’s “Nella Fantasia” invite bel canto phrasing over cinematic harmony.

Contemporary & film songs (“May It Be,” “You Raise Me Up”) translate radio-scale warmth to concert-hall resonance—part of why PBS pledge drives embraced the show. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}

Tracks & Scenes

Note: This album pairs a studio release with a filmed performance at The Helix. Timings below reflect typical track lengths; the live DVD order largely mirrors the list but includes additional pieces. :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}

“Last Rose of Summer / Walking in the Air” — Chloë Agnew
Where it plays: Opens the show—soft lighting, wintery hush, then lift-off into Blake’s theme; live/diegetic; ~4:22.
Why it matters: Establishes the act’s “classical-crossover meets Celtic” signature in one breath. :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}

“May It Be” — Lisa Kelly
Where it plays: Mid-set spotlight; live at The Helix; ~3:47.
Why it matters: A LOTR cover reframed with harp and strings—fantasy grandeur made intimate. :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}

“Isle of Innisfree” — Órla Fallon
Where it plays: Quiet, harp-led reverie; ~3:28; nods to its cinema origin (The Quiet Man).
Why it matters: Homesickness as lullaby; Órla’s timbre sells the nostalgia. :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}

“Danny Boy” — Méav Ní Mhaolchatha
Where it plays: Often delivered near the top; a cappella on the DVD; ~3:26.
Why it matters: Breath-held silence in the hall—proof that restraint can be thunderous. :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}

“The Butterfly” — Máiréad Nesbitt
Where it plays: Fiddle tour-de-force; brisk instrumental (~3:02).
Why it matters: Injects dance-energy; the bow practically sparks. :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}

“She Moved Thru’ the Fair” — Méav Ní Mhaolchatha
Where it plays: Shadow-lit balladry, voice upfront; ~3:31.
Why it matters: Modal ornament turns a folk ghost story into a chapel moment. :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}

“Send Me a Song” — Lisa Kelly
Where it plays: Piano-led confession (~4:23).
Why it matters: Contemporary songwriting within a trad frame—one of the record’s sleeper standouts. :contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}

“Nella Fantasia” — Chloë Agnew
Where it plays: Aria-like set-piece (~4:00).
Why it matters: Morricone’s melody meets youthful vibrato; cinematic pathos achieved. :contentReference[oaicite:29]{index=29}

“Harry’s Game” — Órla Fallon
Where it plays: Ethereal Gaelic textures (~2:42).
Why it matters: Carries Clannad’s mystique into the group’s sonic world. :contentReference[oaicite:30]{index=30}

“Orinoco Flow” — Ensemble
Where it plays: Late-set lift; ~4:00; playful call-and-response.
Why it matters: Enya reimagined for stage—four voices, one current. :contentReference[oaicite:31]{index=31}

“You Raise Me Up” — Ensemble
Where it plays: Closer/encore feel; ~4:34; audience on its feet.
Why it matters: Pop hymn becomes communal benediction; the group’s early calling card. :contentReference[oaicite:32]{index=32}

Music–Story Links (characters & plot beats)

There’s no literal film plot here, but the set is sequenced like one. “Last Rose / Walking in the Air” functions as prologue, “Danny Boy” delivers the first emotional turning point, and “You Raise Me Up” resolves the arc with shared voices—five individual journeys converging. PBS’s Helix staging—spotlights, chorus entries, solo-to-ensemble swells—does the rest. :contentReference[oaicite:33]{index=33}

How It Was Made

Composer/arranger David Downes produced the studio set and served as musical director/orchestrator for the filmed show. The concert was directed by John Comiskey and cut for PBS pledge programming before commercial DVD release via Manhattan/EMI. Trusted source: MusicBrainz. :contentReference[oaicite:34]{index=34}

Recording particulars: the core vocal five with Downes at piano/keys, featured players (harp, pipes, guitar), and the Aontas Choral Group on select numbers. The DVD’s Region 1 listing shows a 1h 57m runtime. :contentReference[oaicite:35]{index=35}

Reception & Quotes

“Gorgeous to listen to and gorgeous to look at… sort of a Riverdance without the dancing.” Amazon editorial

“Manhattan Records presents an evening of Celtic music live from Dublin’s Helix Center.” Barnes & Noble overview

Commercially, the debut dominated Billboard’s World Albums space and helped the act finish 2007 with three titles in the year-end top tier. :contentReference[oaicite:36]{index=36}

Availability: CD and DVD (Manhattan/EMI); streaming (standard 18-track edition on major platforms). Region-specific editions may include bonus tracks. Trusted source: Discogs. :contentReference[oaicite:37]{index=37}

Technical Info

• Title: Celtic Woman
• Year: 2005
• Type: Musical / concert album + PBS special
• Producers/Arranger: David Downes (producer, arrangements)
• Principal Performers: Chloë Agnew; Órla Fallon; Lisa Kelly; Méav Ní Mhaolchatha; Máiréad Nesbitt
• Director (DVD): John Comiskey; Runtime (DVD): ~117 minutes
• Recorded/Filmed: The Helix Theatre, Dublin (Sept 2004)
• Label: Manhattan Records (EMI)
• Chart notes: 81 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard World Albums (112 straight weeks for the act including the follow-up) — Billboard.
• Availability: CD/DVD, streaming (18-track standard); some regions include Japanese bonus tracks.

Canonical Entities & Relations

Sources: Wikipedia; PBS; Billboard; Discogs; MusicBrainz; Apple Music; Reuters; Barnes & Noble.

October, 27th 2025