Ronan Hardiman | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1961-05-19)19 May 1961 (age 63) Dublin,Ireland |
| Genres | Soundtrack,theatre,Irish traditional music,Celtic music,Folk music,Rock music |
| Occupation | Composer |
| Website | www |
Ronan Hardiman (born 19 May 1961) is anIrishcomposer, famous for hissoundtracks toMichael Flatley's dance showsLord of the Dance,Feet of Flames andCeltic Tiger Live.
Hardiman was born in Dublin on 19 May 1961. His father was an Irish broadcasting executive. Hardiman listened to rock & roll and pop as a child. He has three sisters, including film directorNeasa Hardiman and one brother, and they all play traditional musical instruments. He attendedSt. Kilian's German School and theRoyal Academy of Music.[1]
In 1978, at the age of 17, Hardiman began working as a clerk at theBank of Ireland, a position he held for 12 years. He occasionally performed in local bands. In 1990, he quit his job and then began composing material based on Irish traditions for radio and television. He wrote the theme music to the documentary My Riviera.
His TV work included commissions for the title music for RTÉ Irish National Television Network News, and the original score for the natural history seriesWaterways,[2]
He also wrote music for commercials forGuinness and the Irish National Lottery. In motion pictures, Hardiman earned acclaim for his score to the 1996 featureMy Friend Joe, which garnered the Crystal Bear for Best Children's Film at theBerlin Film Festival.[2]
Also in 1996, Hardiman was contacted by Michael Flatley, who needed a soundtrack to his new show,Lord of the Dance, quickly. The show was an international hit.[2][3]
In 1997, Hardiman released his debut soloalbum,Solas, and a year later he resurfaced withFeet of Flames. His 2000 release,Anthem, blended theCeltic music sounds that he was famous for with more pop influences. The track "Ancient Lands" fromAnthem was used by the 2002 Olympic men's figure skating champion,Alexei Yagudin, in his program "Overcome".
In 2016, Hardiman wroteSunlight, along withWayne Hector andNicky Byrne. This was Byrne's entry for theEurovision Song Contest 2016.[4]
Ronan's sisters include the notable neurologistOrla Hardiman and the filmmakerNeasa Hardiman. Hardiman lives in Dublin, with his wife, Helen. The couple have a daughter and a son.[1]
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