Lord of the Dance (Original Soundtrack)

Ronan Hardiman's music to Michael Flatley's extravagant stage production picks up directly where the show's precursor, the equally extravagant 'Riverdance', left off. The sources for Hardiman's score are ancient Irish folk melodies, fervourous, polyrhythmic percussion and modern new-age keyboard textures; they swirl continuously through the music, creating a perfect backdrop for the flexible stomps of the show's dancers. Violins, accordions and bouzoukis fly above massive drum sounds (both acoustic and programmed), emphasising an interaction of musical heritages. The fact that music with such disparate sources can find overwhelming international success is testament to this show's power and its cultural importance.