Recorded live at the John Field Room, National Concert Hall, Dublin. The Gregory Walkers featuring Eamon Sweeney (baroque guitar), Malachy Robinson (violone), Francesco Turrisi (percussion). www.thegregorywalkers.com

Jácaras (Santiago de Murcia c.1682-c.1735)

Recorded live in the John Field Room, National Concert Hall, Dublin.
The Gregory Walkers: Laoise O'Brien (recorder), Malachy Robinson (violone), Eamon Sweeney (baroque guitar), Francesco Turrisi (percussion). www.thegregorywalkers.com

Canarios (Gaspar Sanz 1640-1710)

From the album 'Sonnets for the Cradle'. Laoise O'Brien & Kamala Bain (recorders), Sarah Grosser (viol), Malachy Robinson (bass), Malcolm Proud (harpsichord). Recorded by Ben Rawlins.

'Les Demons' from Alceste by JB Lully

Laoise O'Brien (recorders), Malachy Robinson (viol), Eamon Sweeney (baroque guitar), Francesco Turrisi (percussion). Recorded by Ben Rawlins.

Greensleeves to a Ground (The Division Flute, 1706)

Laoise O'Brien (recorders), Malachy Robinson (viol), Eamon Sweeney (baroque guitar), Francesco Turrisi (percussion). Recorded by Ben Rawlins. Photo, Clare Mulvany. www.thegregorywalkers.com

Sí Bheag, Sí Mhór (Turlough O'Carolan- 1670-1738)

From the album 'Sonnets for the Cradle' (2012). Siobhan Armstrong (Early Irish harp), Laoise O'Brien (alto recorder), Francesco Turrisi (tombak)

King Of The Fairies

Improv and medieval melody with Francesco Turrisi & Laoise O'Brien. www.laoiseobrien.com

In May (Colin Muset)

Laoise O'Brien (alto recorder), Siobhan Armstrong (arpa doppia). From the album 'Sonnets for the Cradle'.
Artwork by Lorna Donlon

The Frog Galliard by John Dowland (1563-1626)

Laoise O'Brien (alto recorder) & Francesco Turrisi (tamburello). Taken from the album 'Sonnets for the Cradle', this tune represents the story of The Pied Piper of Hamelin. Kume, Kum geselle min (Adam de la Halle: c1240-1287). Saltarello (Anon. 14th C). Recorded by Ben Rawlins, 2012.

Kume, Kum geselle min/ Saltarello

Laoise O'Brien (alto recorder), Francesco Turrisi (piano). Improvisation on the madrigal by Orlando di Lasso. From the album 'From Sun's Far Rising' (2016). Recorded by Ben Rawlins. Produced by Laoise O'Brien. www.laoiseobrien.com

Susanne un Jour

Laoise O'Brien (Eagle Recorder), Francesco Turrisi (Piano), from the album 'From Sun's Far Rising' (2016). Recorded by Ben Rawlins. Produced by Laoise O'Brien www.laoiseobrien.com/newcd

Sleep, My Child (Syrian Lullaby)

A Solis Ortu: From Sun's Far Rising (Lament on the Death of Charlemagne, 814). From the Album 'From Sun's Far Rising' (2016). Performed and produced by Laoise O'Brien. Recorded by Ben Rawlins.

A Solis Ortu: From Sun's Far Rising

An Italian Ground from The Delightful Companion by Robert Carr (fl 1684-1696). From the album 'From Sun's Far Rising' (2016). Laoise O'Brien (recorder), Francesco Turrisi (organ). Recorded by Ben Rawlins at Castalia Hall, Ballytobin, Co. Kilkenny

An Italian Ground (Robert Carr)

from The Margaret Board Lute book. Anon. 17th century. Laoise O'Brien (soprano recorder), Francesco Turrisi (virginal). From the album 'From Sun's Far Rising' 2016.

Home Again, Market Is Done

From the collection, Der Fluyten Lust-hof by Jacob van Eyck. Laoise O'Brien(soprano recorder). Recorded by Ben Rawlins. Image 'the nightingale sings to soften the sadness of the dark' (detail) by Lorna Donlon

English Nightingale (Engels Nachtegaeltje) Jacob van Eyck (1590-1657)

From the album 'The Child Ballads' by Laoise O'Brien.
Fionn Ó hAlmhain (voice), Laoise O'Brien (bass recorder), Malachy Robinson (bass viol & double bass), Francesco Turrisi (harmonium & percussion), Jonas Rake (electric guitar), Eamon Sweeney (lute). Sound by Ben Rawlins. Produced by Laoise O'Brien. www.childballadsireland.com

The Three Ravens (Chilad Ballad no. 26)

From the album 'The Child Ballads' by Laoise O'Brien.
Oisín Walsh-Peelo (voice and guitar). Sound by Ben Rawlins. Produced by Laoise O'Brien. www.childballadsireland.com

Johnny Cock (Child Ballad no. 114)

Laoise O'Brien & Francesco Turrisi from the album 'Sonnets for the Cradle'

Drømde mig en drøm i nat

Laoise O'Brien enjoys an active career in the Irish arts scene where she embodies several roles. A professional recorder player, she has been described in the press as a crusader with mesmerising skills and boundless imagination. Laoise has been championing the recorder since discovering the versatility and virtuosity of this historic instrument while a student of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. 
For the past twenty years, Laoise has promoted the recorder through concert performances, education, recording, and broadcasting, working with all the major ensembles and arts organisations in Ireland. She has travelled extensively throughout the country performing at festivals, concert series, and as part of educational projects. 
In recent years, Laoise has enjoyed a successful career as a music producer working on multiple recording projects, mostly in the classical and folk music genres. In addition to producing music for albums, video, radio and online broadcast, Laoise has delivered workshops and talks on the art of recording in an effort to encourage a greater understanding of what happens behind the glass. She holds a part-time position at the TU Dublin Conservatoire where she works for the university in the area of music production.
Laoise is passionate about connection within the music community and regularly undertakes projects which reach music lovers of all ages. She is a member of the board of the Irish Association of Youth Orchestras, part of the programming committee of Music in Kilkenny, and sits on the Local Music Education Partnership of Music Generation Kilkenny.

Popular tracks by Laoise O'Brien- Musician