Ronan Hardiman
Encyclopedia
Ronan Hardiman is an Irish
composer
, famous for his soundtrack
s to Michael Flatley
's dance shows Lord of the Dance
, Feet of Flames
and Celtic Tiger Live
.
for twelve years, and occasionally performed in local bands. He was among the most prolific and successful composers in contemporary Irish film and television. Centered in Dublin, his TV work included commissions for the title music for RTÉ Irish National Television Network News, and the original score for the natural history series Waterways, as well as a number of commercial spots for Guinness
products and the Irish National Lottery. In motion pictures, Hardiman earned acclaim for his score to the 1996 feature My Friend Joe, which garnered the Crystal Bear for Best Children's Film at the Berlin Film Festival. Also in 1996, Hardiman was contacted by Flatley, with the resulting soundtrack to Lord of the Dance becoming an international hit; the composer's debut solo album
, Solas, followed in 1998, and a year later he resurfaced with Feet of Flames. His 2000 release, Anthem, blended the Celtic
sounds that he was famous for with more pop influences. The track "Ancient Lands" from Anthem was used by the 2002 Olympic men's figure skating champion, Alexei Yagudin
, in his program "Overcome".
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, famous for his soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
s to Michael Flatley
Michael Flatley
Michael Ryan Flatley is an American Irish dancer, choreographer, actor, musician and occasional television presenter. He became internationally known for Irish dance shows Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames, and Celtic Tiger...
's dance shows Lord of the Dance
Lord of the Dance (musical)
Lord of the Dance is an Irish musical and dance production that was created, choreographed, and produced by Irish-American dancer Michael Flatley, who also took a starring role...
, Feet of Flames
Feet of Flames
Michael Flatley's Feet of Flames is an Irish dance show directed by Michael Flatley and scored by Ronan Hardiman.-Feet of Flames:Hyde Park:Feet of Flames was created in 1998 by dancer Michael Flatley, made famous by the musical Riverdance...
and Celtic Tiger Live
Celtic Tiger Live
Celtic Tiger Live or more often known "Michael Flatley's Celtic Tiger" or just "Celtic Tiger" was an Irish Dance show.-History:Michael Flatley, famous for his Lord of the Dance and Feet of Flames shows, created Celtic Tiger. After being retired for 4 years, Michael announced he was going to tour...
.
Biography
Before 1990 he worked in the Bank of IrelandBank of Ireland
The Bank of Ireland is a commercial bank operation in Ireland, which is one of the 'Big Four' in both parts of the island.Historically the premier banking organisation in Ireland, the Bank occupies a unique position in Irish banking history...
for twelve years, and occasionally performed in local bands. He was among the most prolific and successful composers in contemporary Irish film and television. Centered in Dublin, his TV work included commissions for the title music for RTÉ Irish National Television Network News, and the original score for the natural history series Waterways, as well as a number of commercial spots for Guinness
Guinness
Guinness is a popular Irish dry stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness at St. James's Gate, Dublin. Guinness is directly descended from the porter style that originated in London in the early 18th century and is one of the most successful beer brands worldwide, brewed in almost...
products and the Irish National Lottery. In motion pictures, Hardiman earned acclaim for his score to the 1996 feature My Friend Joe, which garnered the Crystal Bear for Best Children's Film at the Berlin Film Festival. Also in 1996, Hardiman was contacted by Flatley, with the resulting soundtrack to Lord of the Dance becoming an international hit; the composer's debut solo album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
, Solas, followed in 1998, and a year later he resurfaced with Feet of Flames. His 2000 release, Anthem, blended the Celtic
Celtic music
Celtic music is a term utilised by artists, record companies, music stores and music magazines to describe a broad grouping of musical genres that evolved out of the folk musical traditions of the Celtic people of Western Europe...
sounds that he was famous for with more pop influences. The track "Ancient Lands" from Anthem was used by the 2002 Olympic men's figure skating champion, Alexei Yagudin
Alexei Yagudin
Alexei Konstantinovich Yagudin is a former Russian figure skater. His major achievements in his six years of eligible sports career include:*2002 Olympic Champion*Four-time World Champion...
, in his program "Overcome".
Discography
- Celtic Classics 1 (1993)
- Celtic Classics 2 (1996)
- Ancient Lands (1996), MCA
- Lord of the DanceLord of the Dance (musical)Lord of the Dance is an Irish musical and dance production that was created, choreographed, and produced by Irish-American dancer Michael Flatley, who also took a starring role...
(1996) - Solas (1998)
- Anthem (2000)
- Feet of FlamesFeet of FlamesMichael Flatley's Feet of Flames is an Irish dance show directed by Michael Flatley and scored by Ronan Hardiman.-Feet of Flames:Hyde Park:Feet of Flames was created in 1998 by dancer Michael Flatley, made famous by the musical Riverdance...
(2001) - Celtic Tiger LiveCeltic Tiger LiveCeltic Tiger Live or more often known "Michael Flatley's Celtic Tiger" or just "Celtic Tiger" was an Irish Dance show.-History:Michael Flatley, famous for his Lord of the Dance and Feet of Flames shows, created Celtic Tiger. After being retired for 4 years, Michael announced he was going to tour...
(2006)