Brendan Mulvihill and Emily Martin Concert - Irish Folk

Coming together in concert and to lead a traditional Irish session are Brendan Mulvihill, master and legendary Irish Traditional fiddler and his apprentice, Emily Martin, a talented musician who also comes from a family tradition of traditional music. Brendan Mulvihill and his band, the Irish Tradition, are credited for establishing traditional Irish music as a integral part of the Washington D.C. and Baltimore areas musical fabric. Also based in the Washington DC region, Emily Martin, of The Martin Family Band, carries on the tradition of playing, teaching and performing. Her styles include Old Time Appalachian traditional music and Irish music on the mandolin, mountain dulcimer, tenor banjo and voice. Emily started an apprenticeship with Brendan in July 2018. Learning tunes, style and variations from Brendan, Emily also skillfully and beautifully compliments Brendan’s unmatched style. Brendan’s strong tone, remarkable bow work and unsurpassed musicianship come from a deep love of the music and from a surprising influence. Though inspired by many traditional Irish musicians, Brendan also developed a passion for classical music. This classical influence can be heard most clearly perhaps in his playing of the baroque music of Turlough OCarolan (Toirdhealbhach Ó Cearbhalláin). The final distinctive result of Brendan’s many influences was best summed up by a quote printed by the Washington Irish Folk Festival, “Its often said that the difference between a fiddle and a violin lies not in the instrument but in the player. If that’s the case, then Brendan is not the player one should look to when trying to draw such distinctions. Here is a man whose heritage, background and training epitomize that of the fiddler, but whose full, firm tone, exquisite bow work and subtle, sensitive musicianship bear all the hallmarks of the classical violinist.”