Songs and Dances of Brittany

Little trace is left of the ancient Druids who lived in this region of France. But Brittany’s spirit lives on in its own language, distinctive religious observances, and especially its music. The Conan Family heard on this album represent this Breton spirit. They come from Perros Guirrec in western Brittany, a small community known for its Celtic heritage and Breton culture. Jacques Conan, the patriarch of the Conan family, was a leading figure in the preservation and transmission of Breton folklore. This 18-track CD introduces listeners to the beautiful and dynamic music of Brittany with the sounds of its unique bagpipes and medieval shawms (predecessors of the modern oboe).

French (France)

Le pays breton est chargé d’une histoire qui remonte bien avant l’arrivée des résidents actuels. Il reste peu de traces des anciens druides qui habitaient autrefois dans la région mais l’esprit breton reste très vivace, avec son propre langage, une activité religieuse particulière et sa musique. La famille Conan, dont on peut entendre les voix sur le CD, est originaire de Perros Guirrec en Bretagne occidentale. Cette petite ville est située dans l’un des coins les plus préservé de la partie celte de la Bretagne et est marquée par la culture bretonne. Cela peut expliquer pourquoi Jacques Conan, le chef de famille, s’est impliqué une grande partie de sa vie dans la conservation et la diffusion du folklore breton. Les dix-huit pistes de ce CD initient l’auditeur à la beauté de la dynamique musique bretonne vibrante des sons uniques des cornemuses et de la flute médiévale.

Track Listing

101	Shepherd's Song (Kanaouenn ar Maesaer) Conan Family	01:38
102	Dances: Two-Step / Marguerite / Near the Woods Conan Family	02:52
103	Mountain Dance Conan Family	01:07
104	Dances: Simple Dance (Koroll Plaen) / Stick Dance (Koroll ar Bizhier) / Eight Figure Dance (Jabadao) Conan Family	02:27
105	Francois Is at the Mill (Mañ Fransez er Vilin-Avel) Conan Family	02:36
106	Song of the Reapers (Son ar Falc'herien) Conan Family	02:06
107	Three Dances: Ton ar C'hezeg (March of the Horses) / Koroll Fisel / Bal ar Menez Conan Family	01:57
108	The Banners of Lampaul (Bannielou Lambaol) Conan Family	01:39
109	March and Two Dances: Ton Bale Pondivi (Pontivy March) / Laride (Round dance) / Koroll Fanch (Passepied) Conan Family	03:02
201	Three Dances: Piler Lann (Frontal Dance) / Gavotennoù (Gavotte) / Tonioù Koroll (Dance-Song Gavotte) Conan Family	03:17
202	The Young Sailor's Song (Son ar Martolod Yaouank) Conan Family	03:11
203	The Lost Bride Conan Family	02:27
204	The Little Rooster (Ar C'hogig) Conan Family	03:17
205	The Drinker's Wife (Gwreg al Lonker) Conan Family	01:44
206	I'll Build a House (Me'savo Va Zi) Conan Family	02:22
207	Louisette and Pierrot (Loeisaig ha Perig) Conan Family	01:33
208	The Pork Sausage (An, Anduilhenn) Conan Family	03:09
209	The Plucking of the Wren (Displuañ al Laouenig) Conan Family	02:44