I played Carolan's Elevation at my concert in St Andrews in December. It's a fascinating baroque composition by Turlough Carolan. My setting of it id from an incredibly rare 18th century book in the Wighton Collection in Dundee, which includes the bass line as well as the tune. You can read about this book here: http://www.earlygaelicharp.info/sources/lee.htm

I have put the Elevation up on my music player so you can listen to it... this is just a quick home recording, so apologies for the wobbly performance and bad sound.

I'm going to perform a solo concert on Thursday 18th December, in St Andrews, Fife. In the pleasant gothic surroundings of Hope Park Church Hall (KY16 9UY), the concert will feature music played on the beautiful decorated replica of the Queen Mary harp as well as on my 18th century Irish harp copy. Music will include rousing medieval variations, compositions by Rory Dall and Carolan, as well as seasonal fare such as Veni Emmanuel (on my page just now to listen to).

Doors open 7pm and the music starts at 8pm.

See you there!

After the success of my Sunday afternoon event in April of this year (photo above), I have been asked by the Museum to repeat the event next month.

I'll playing my decorated replica of the "Queen Mary" harp, in the gallery beside the 15th century original, on Sunday 9th November.

I'm doing three short performances of about 20 minutes each, at 12.45, 1.45 and 2.45pm - I'm planning to play a battle tune, a grand formal Gaelic lament and some medieval church music, to illustrate different aspects of the early clàrsach tradition from the 14th to 18th centuries. Though the format of each 20 minute slot will be the same, I'll play different pieces of music each time so you are welcome to stay for more than one!

This event is a rare chance to hear historical Gaelic harp music in Edinburgh, and is all the more exciting for being in the same room as the two surviving medieval Scottish harps.

The venue is the National Museum of Scotland, Chambers St. Edinburgh, in the medieval gallery off the Hawthornden Court: beside the Beaton Panels (from St Andrews Castle) and the tomb and relics of Mary Queen of Scots. Admission is free and it would be great to see you then.

More info on the instrument is here:
http://www.simonchadwick.net/QM/

I'm busy with preparations for Scoil na gCláirseach, the annual summer school of early Irish harp, held in Kilkenny, Ireland. This is the premiere international event for historical Irish and Scottish harp music. Have a look at the timetable of events at http://www.irishharpschool.com - I am doing a CD launch recital on Thur 21 Aug at 6.15pm as well as a slew of lectures. I know I will see some of you there!

On Saturday 19th July at 12 noon, I'm playing a recital in the medieval Abbot's House in Arbroath Abbey.

This lunchtime recital will feature medieval secular instrumental music, including laments and vicious battle tunes.

It'll be performed on my amazing replica of the medieval Scottish 'Queen Mary' harp with silver and gold strings.

Admission is £4.70, Child £2.35, Concession £3.70 (includes site admission).
Tickets available from the visitor centre 01241 878756

The Historical Harp Society of Ireland announces the sixth

Scoil na gClairseach–Summer School of Early Irish Harp

Kilkenny, Ireland

20th-26th August 2008

We look forward to welcoming old and new friends. Come and join international participants from the USA to Europe to Japan, to immerse yourself in the Gaelic world's ancient and exquisite historical harp with intensive tuition, lectures, informal talks, concerts and a field trip to museums to see surviving instruments.

The Scoil extends a particularly warm welcome to absolute beginners. Harpists who don't yet play early Irish harps but who are interested in historical playing techniques and repertoire are also very welcome to attend.

There will be a limited number of historical Irish harps available to rent on a first-come, first-served basis. Our rental instruments, made for us by master luthier, David Kortier, are accurately copied from surviving historic harps and are fitted with brass and sterling silver strings. Scoil na gCláirseach caters for all levels, from raw beginners to advanced and professional players.
In accordance with our usual policy, we will have a dedicated Beginners class in addition to Post-beginner / Intermediate and Advanced levels. We will also have our usual tasty menu of lectures and talks given by staff and guest scholars (incorporating our unique two-tier lecture system, with parallel streams both for beginner to intermediate level and also for very advanced students), in-house and public concerts and a trip to see many of the surviving instruments held in Irish collections.

This years faculty includes old Scoil friends

Siobhan Armstrong (Ireland) Director

One of Europe's leading historical harpists

Simon Chadwick (UK) Assistant Director

Organologist and founder of earlygaelicharp.info

Ann Heymann (USA)

The world pioneer of the modern revival of early Irish harp

Sean Donnelly (Ireland)

and

Keith Sanger (Scotland)

The latter two scholars are the respective leaders in the field of early Gaelic harp research in Ireland and Scotland.

In addition, we are delighted to announce that Andrew Lawrence-King (Guernsey), the world's foremost historical harper, will be joining the faculty for the first time as a tutor and performer.

Our other Scoil debut guest lecturers are

Mary O'Donnell (Ireland)

A University of Limerick doctoral student who is researching 19th Irish harp history

and

Jim Hunter (N. Ireland) Author of several publications on Irish harpers such as O'Hampsey and O Cathain, among other musical subjects.

Would you like to:

• Play an early Irish harp? This is Ireland's illustrious medieval harp strung in brass and sometimes even silver and gold wire. Played in Ireland & Scotland from at least 1000 years ago and made famous by harpers such as Carolan, it died out in the early 19th century.
• Rediscover the music of the early Irish harpers?
• Study at first hand the surviving sources of their music in early manuscripts and printed sources?
• Become proficient at reconstructing appropriate accompaniments for the melodies?
• Learn medieval playing techniques on replica medieval instruments?
• Research and use sparkling Irish harp melodic ornamentation?
• See, hear, and play replicas of the medieval instrument depicted in the Irish National emblem?

Or are you a more advanced player who would like to continue to improve your early harping skills under the tuition of some of the foremost international teachers, scholars and players of this harp? If so, then this could be the summer school for you.

Scoil na gCláirseach explores all aspects of the instrument's playing techniques and repertoire including:
• old Gaelic harp repertoire from early manuscripts and printed sources, from both Ireland and the Scottish Highlands
• historical playing and string-damping techniques
• idiomatic melodic ornamentation
• historically informed approaches to bass and treble
• other historical repertoire appropriate to the instrument
• practical applications e.g. physical posture and nail care
For more information and to download an application form, please visit http://www.irishharpschool.com We need to receive your completed application form and deposit by 20th June to confirm your place. EARLY BOOKING BONUS: Deposits paid on or before 20th April entitle the participant to a Euro 25 discount on the balance of the Scoil fees. If you would like a printed version of the Scoil brochure and application form, please let us know.

N.B. Kilkenny is a busy tourist destination in August; if you are planning to come, do get in touch as early as possible so that we can help you to find reasonably priced accommodation.

The Historical Harp Society of Ireland is kindly supported by the The Arts Council of Ireland and Kilkenny County Council.

I’ve added some more tracks from the new CD.

Vir Perfecte is a 13th century piece in honour of St Andrew

Nobilis Humilis is the ’Hymn to St Magnus’ also from the 13th century

’Flowres of the Forrest’ is from the Skene ms of c. 1620 - the oldest setting of this famous song

Plus a work in progress:

’Loftus Jones’ is by Carolan from the collection published by Lee in about 1780, played on a replica ’Downhill’ harp.

Please tell me what you think of them!

Well tomorrow (Thursday 13th March) is the big launch of my new CD of historical Scottish harp music, Clàrsach na Bànrighe.

The event is at 7.30 in the Wighton Heritage Centre in Dundee.

There will be wine and nibbles as well as music and chat.

Speeches by bigwigs and ravishing early clàrsach music

In the wonderful setting of Andrew Wighton’s collection of 700 17th, 18th & 19th century Scottish music books.

And CDs for sale!!!


More info...

I'm doing two recitals to launch the new CD

The Prior's House, St Andrews Cathedral
Tuesday 11th March 2008, 12.45-1.15pm

Admission free; please collect tickets from the Visitor Centre 01334 472563

Wighton Heritage Centre, Dundee Central Library
Thursday 13th March 2008, 7.30pm
Admission free

More details from www.earlygaelicharp.info

Clàrsach na Bànrighe is my new CD.
A showcase for the new decorated replica of the Queen Mary harp built by Davy Patton in 2006-7, this disc presents two complementary programmes, of medieval and 18th century Scottish early harp repertory. It also includes an 18th century Gaelic song performed by guest singer Mairead Murnion.
For more info visit www.earlygaelicharp.info/CnaB