Two excerpts have been added to the Folklore and more page of Martin Doyle’s web site. In May of this year, Martin Doyle featured on a BBC Radio 4 program entitled Sounding Post which was produced by Nina Perry.
Nina Perry takes a musical journey tracing the wood used in making musical instruments back to the forest, from an Irish flute maker and a Los Angeles-based guitarist to the Mpingo Conservation Project in Tanzania. More here…
Unfortunately Sounding Post is not currently available online. The two excerpts that have been added to Martin’s web site feature Martin talking about flute making and playing music on a ‘fresh off the lathe’ flute. The tune Martin plays is called Na Ceannabháin Bhána. Here is a version of the same tune played by the late Kitty Hayes (Concertina) and Peter Laban (Uilleann Pipes). Recorded in May 2008 at Miltown Malbay, Co Clare. Kitty and Peter actually play two slip jigs – Na Ceannabháin Bhána and Hardiman the Fiddler.
Martin Doyle has not performed at the Royal Albert Hall, but he has been on the stage. So have his flutes…
In 2005, Sri Chinmoy offered a concert dedicated to global harmony at the Royal Albert Hall in London and Martin Doyle went to see the Master perform. One of Sri Chinmoy’s students from New York had commissioned Martin to make a flute for Sri Chinmoy and he was invited to stay behind for a private post-concert function and an opportunity to present the instrument to Sri Chinmoy personally. It was a special D flat keyed flute made of African Blackwood.
After the concert Sri Chinmoy remained on the stage while his students – several hundred in number that had come from all over the world to be at the concert – were seated in the auditorium. Martin assembled and presented the new flute to Sri Chinmoy and the Master played it for a while. He was very pleased to meet Martin and very grateful to him for the care and effort that went into creating the one-off flute. For his part, Martin was very honoured to have met Sri Chinmoy in such a way and commented that it was a unique moment in his life.
Martin Doyle watches as Sri Chinmoy tries the new flute.
The second event connecting Martin Doyle with the Royal Albert Hall was also a concert but not one that he personally attended. Two of his flutes were present though.
Martin Doyle is a flute maker from County Clare, Ireland. His simple system wooden flutes are renowned for their ease of playing and quality of tone. Visit his website: Martin Doyle Flutes
About Martin Doyle
Born in Dublin, Ireland, Martin Doyle grew up in the seaside town of Bray in County Wicklow. One of four children in a family with music in their blood, Martin was influenced and inspired by his mothers melodious singing from a very early age – learning songs that have stayed with him to this day. Read more: About Martin Doyle.
Webmaster
Martin Doyle's Weblog is maintained by Shardul – Martin Doyle's friend and webmaster. Shardul plays two Martin Doyle flutes and specialises in playing the music of spiritual teacher and musician, Sri Chinmoy.
In 2005, 
