Role

:

Ensemble

Country

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Norway

 

Secret Garden is a Norwegian-Irish duo consisting of composer and pianist Rolf Løvland and Irish violinist Fionnuala Sherry. The duo is known for their unique blend of classical, new age, and Celtic music, which has earned them worldwide recognition and numerous awards. Rolf Løvland was born on April 19, 1955, in Kristiansand, Norway. He began playing the piano at a young age and went on to study music at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo. After graduating, he worked as a session musician and composer for various Norwegian artists. Fionnuala Sherry was born on September 10, 1962, in Louth, Ireland. She began playing the violin at the age of eight and went on to study music at Trinity College Dublin. She later moved to Norway to pursue a career in music. Løvland and Sherry first met in 1994 when they were both working on a Norwegian television show. They began collaborating on music and soon formed Secret Garden. Their debut album, Songs from a Secret Garden, was released in 1995 and became an instant success, selling over three million copies worldwide. The duo's music is characterized by Løvland's piano melodies and Sherry's violin playing, which is often accompanied by orchestral arrangements and Celtic-inspired instrumentation. Their music has been described as "ethereal" and "romantic," and has been used in numerous films, television shows, and advertisements. In 1996, Secret Garden won the Eurovision Song Contest with their song "Nocturne," which featured Sherry's violin playing and no lyrics. The win brought the duo international fame and led to the release of their second album, White Stones, in 1997. Over the years, Secret Garden has released numerous albums, including Dawn of a New Century (1999), Once in a Red Moon (2002), and Winter Poem (2011). They have also performed in concert halls around the world, including Carnegie Hall in New York City and the Royal Albert Hall in London. In addition to their Eurovision win, Secret Garden has won numerous awards for their music, including the International Instrumental Award at the 1996 Billboard Music Awards and the Best New Age Album award at the 1997 Grammy Awards for Songs from a Secret Garden. Despite their success, Secret Garden has remained relatively private and rarely gives interviews. They continue to create music together and are considered one of the most successful and influential new age/classical crossover acts of all time.

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