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Bill Whelan

Bill Whelan

Sound

Biography

William Michael Joseph Whelan (born 22 May 1950) is an Irish composer and musician. He is best known for composing a piece for the interval of the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest. The result, "Riverdance", was a seven-minute piece of original music accompanying a new take on traditional Irish stepdance that became a full-length stage production and spawned a worldwide craze for Irish traditional music and dance. The corresponding soundtrack album earned him a Grammy. "Riverdance" was released as a single in 1994, credited to "Bill Whelan and Anúna featuring the RTÉ Concert Orchestra". It reached number one in Ireland for 18 weeks and number nine in the UK. The album of the same title reached number 31 in the album charts in 1995.

Known For

Riverdance: The Animated Adventure
6.0

A young Irish boy named Keegan and Spanish girl named Moya journey into a magical world of the Megaloceros Giganteus who teach them to appreciate Riverdance as a celebration of life. Based on the stage show phenomenon of the same name and featuring Bill Whelan’s multi-platinum Grammy Award-winning music.

Riverdance: The Animated Adventure

2021
Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show
7.3

A powerful and stirring reinvention of the show, celebrated the world over for its Grammy Award-winning music and the thrilling energy and passion of its Irish and international dance.

Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show

2020
Dancing at Lughnasa
6.0

Five unmarried sisters make the most of their simple existence in rural Ireland in the 1930s.

Dancing at Lughnasa

1998
In the Name of Peace: John Hume in America
N/A

John Hume saw that by harnessing the political influence of the Irish American diaspora in Washington, it was possible to overcome the legacy of conflict and achieve peace. Exploring the decades-long campaign by the Nobel Prize winner, filmmaker Maurice Fitzpatrick reveals how Hume - inspired by Martin Luther King - became the moral architect for peace in Northern Ireland. In the Name of Peace: John Hume in America is a compelling feature documentary, narrated by Liam Neeson, with dramatic footage and stirring interviews with Presidents Clinton and Carter, US senators and congressmen, and Irish and British leaders. Reminding us of the redemptive powers of politics to overcome division. It is a timely story that profiles creative leadership, international cooperation and the U.S. contribution to peace and stability on the island of Ireland.

In the Name of Peace: John Hume in America

2017
Dick Francis: Twice Shy
4.7

A fool-proof formula for picking winning horses on a computer disc is the Maguffin sought by Cleveland and others.

Dick Francis: Twice Shy

1989
Riverdance - Best Of Riverdance
10.0

Introduced by Jean Butler, The Best of Riverdance, brings together the stunning highlights and classic performances from the show filmed at various international venues over the previous 10 years. This special compilation, The Best of Riverdance, features performances from the various Riverdance Troupes who have taken the show to the four corners of the world. Highlights include: Reel Around the Sun performed by Michael Flatley and the Riverdance Troupe at the Poin Theatre in Dublin, Countess Cathleen performed by Joanne Doyle and the Riverdance Troup in Geneva, Thunderstorm performed by Pat Roddy and the Riverdance Troup in Radio City Music Hall, New York, Heartland, performed by Jean Butler and Michael Flatley at the Point Theatre and a very special compilation performance of Riverdance featuring the talents of the shows lead dancers over the past ten years.

Riverdance - Best Of Riverdance

2005
Riverdance: Live from Beijing
8.0

The Irish dance phenomenon makes its way to Beijing, China with a one-of-a-kind performance tailored for the Chinese audience with an artistic flow.

Riverdance: Live from Beijing

2010
Riverdance: The Show
8.1

Riverdance--The Show is a cultural phenomenon that defies criticism for the enthusiastic and leaves everyone else scratching their heads. The wonderfully talented cast, headed by the Riverdance Irish Dance Company, bewitchingly spins (and stomps) its Celtic folk choreography featuring numerous breathless solos by Michael Flatley (since departed) and Jean Butler. The mellifluous Riverdance Orchestra boasts Davy Spillane, who coaxes plaintive lamentations out of a peculiar instrument that resembles a bagpipe in a metal leg brace. For Enya fans, there is the sound-alike choral group Anuna, who casts a similarly New Age-style vocal spell. Also thrown into the mix are such disparate folk traditions as American gospel and Spanish flamenco. Though it's only 70 minutes long, Riverdance is repetitive by half. But judging from the ecstatic audience ovations and the continued foot-stomping during and after the curtain calls, too much is still not enough. --Richard Natale

Riverdance: The Show

1995
Seven Ages
N/A

Seven Ages is a historical documentary series that charts the birth, growth and development of the Irish state since its foundation in 1921.

Seven Ages

2000
Riverdance: Live From New York City
9.3

Riverdance, the Irish hard-shoe sensation that took PBS viewers by storm, underwent its second incarnation with Live from New York City, a 1996 performance filmed at Radio City Music Hall. While most of the attributes from 1995's Riverdance: The Show remain--the dazzling ensemble choreography, Bill Whelan's energetic score, and the New Age-y view of Celtic mythology--the most significant difference is at the top, where Colin Dunne replaced bombastic lead dancer Michael Flatley. Though lacking Flatley's bravura, Dunne is a superb technician who works well with Flatley's former co-lead, Jean Butler. Flamenco dancer Maria Pagis returns, as do the Riverdance Singers (formerly known as Anuna) with soloist Katie McMahon and the orchestra with fiery fiddler Eileen Ivers. About a half-hour longer than the 1995 original, Live from New York City expands upon the second act's theme of the Irish leaving their homeland

Riverdance: Live From New York City

1997
Riverdance: The New Show
7.1

Riverdance Show is a cultural phenomenon that defies criticism for the enthusiastic and leaves everyone else scratching their heads. The wonderfully talented cast, headed by the Riverdance Irish Dance Company, bewitchingly spins (and stomps) its Celtic folk choreography featuring numerous breathless solos by Michael Flatley (since departed) and Jean Butler. The mellifluous Riverdance Orchestra boasts Davy Spillane, who coaxes plaintive lamentations out of a peculiar instrument that resembles a bagpipe in a metal leg brace. For Enya fans, there is the sound-alike choral group Anuna, who casts a similarly New Age-style vocal spell. Also thrown into the mix are such disparate folk traditions as American gospel and Spanish flamenco. Though it's only 70 minutes long, Riverdance is repetitive by half. But judging from the ecstatic audience ovations and the continued foot-stomping during and after the curtain calls, too much is still not enough.

Riverdance: The New Show

1996
Riverdance: Live à l'Arena de Genève
10.0

The thrilling Riverdance show live from Geneva.

Riverdance: Live à l'Arena de Genève

2001
Riverdance: Live from Radio City Music Hall
10.0

Riverdance, the Irish hard-shoe sensation that took PBS viewers by storm, underwent its second incarnation with Live from New York City, a 1996 performance filmed at Radio City Music Hall. While most of the attributes from 1995's Riverdance: The Show remain--the dazzling ensemble choreography, Bill Whelan's energetic score, and the New Age-y view of Celtic mythology--the most significant difference is at the top, where Colin Dunne replaced bombastic lead dancer Michael Flatley. Though lacking Flatley's bravura, Dunne is a superb technician who works well with Flatley's former co-lead, Jean Butler. Flamenco dancer Maria Pagis returns, as do the Riverdance Singers (formerly known as Anuna) with soloist Katie McMahon and the orchestra with fiery fiddler Eileen Ivers.

Riverdance: Live from Radio City Music Hall

2008
Riverdance: The Show
10.0

No description available.

Riverdance: The Show

2002