I have always believed that music is important to people. It can energize us during workouts, it can lift our spirits when we are feeling down and you can always find a song that fits your situation perfectly. Within music, there are many genres and subgenres and many talented musicians. When presented with this month's theme, there were a few songs, albums and musicians that came to mind dealing with snakes. However, there is only one band that came to my mind when dealing with “secret”.
That is the Irish-Norwegian band of Secret Garden, which is led by Irish violinist and singer Fionnuala Sherry and Norwegian composer, arranger and pianist Rolf Løvland. The band is a wonderful mix of both Irish and Norwegian lyrics and instrumental music. Founded in 1994, it was only a year later in 1995 that Secret Garden won the Eurovision Song Contest with the composition entitled “Nocturne”. This was a notable first, and so far unreplicated, victory as “Nocturne” is a predominantly instrumental song with a few Norwegian lyrics.
This lead to Secret Garden’s first album, Songs from a Secret Garden, released after their Eurovision victory. Included on it is “Nocturne”, which is a hauntingly beautiful melody. The lyrics themselves are only twenty-four words, but they fit with the feeling of the music perfectly. Also included is the song “Heartstrings”. It is another beautiful instrumental piece that does tug at your own heartstrings. “Heartstrings” was also adapted by Barbra Streisand as the song “I’ve Dreamed of You” on her September 1999 album, A Love Like Ours.
White Stones was their second album released in 1997. It is an entirely instrumental album playing off the Celtic and neoclassical music, while also having unexpected elements such as Spanish guitars woven throughout. “Steps” is one such song, where the Irish whistle and the Spanish guitar mix beautifully and invite you to dance alongside them. This album is made all the more special as it was dedicated to the memory of both Fionnuala Sherry’s father, Ben Sherry, and Rolf Løvland’s father, Sigurd Løvland.
My favourite album of Secret Garden’s is their third album, Dawn of a New Century, released in 1999. This was the first album of theirs I had listened to, and it remains my favourite of theirs to this day. “Sona” is actually the first song that Fionnuala Sherry sings and is sung in Irish. It always leaves me with the impression of the Fae and the mystery and beauty of fairy tales. “Dawn of a New Century”, the title song, was written with the intent to look back over the past century. With the new millennium around the corner, the song was meant as inspiration of the closing of a previous chapter and the opening of a new chapter.
Their other albums include: Dreamcatcher (2001), Once In a Red Moon (2002), Earthsongs (2005), Inside I’m Singing (2009), and Winter Poems (2011). In May of this year, they released You Raise Me Up - The Collection. As with the rest of their music, it is just as hauntingly beautiful and sends us on a journey.
In all honestly, I could not think of a better band and music to link to the Chamber of Secrets than Secret Garden. For in it’s own way, the Chamber symbolizes a journey through history and a closing and opening of new chapters.
I shall leave you, fellow Slytherins, with a quote by Rolf Løvland: “Somewhere within us all there is a secret garden. A garden in which we can seek refuge when times are rough, or retire to in joy or contemplation. For years I have visited my own secret garden in search of organic harmony and melody. In 1994 I met an artist who through the soulful simplicity of her instrument gave my songs a voice. She is the famed Irish violinist Fionnuala Sherry. Together we have tended the secret garden - and the crop is here for your picking. It is my sincere wish that by uncovering some of our secrets, you will pay a visit to your own garden.”
See you next month,
-Ragna