Sir Arthur Shaen Carolan arr Mark Harmer Harp Concert 22 May 2010

This piece has an unusual melody, where the last beat of most bars is silent. I originally thought this might be because Carolan had refused to finish the piece unless he was paid, so left bits out, or it may be because Sir Arthur walked (or talked) with a limp. Whatever the reason, this is a fascinating piece and one of my favourites to play.

By the way, the cross is not stuck on top of the harp, it's just in the background - I had to set the camera before recording the concert, and didn't realise until afterwards that the two were juxtaposed in quite that way!

Technical: Canon XHA1 / Sony Vegas for colour correction, video noise reduction, convolution etc. This is a re-upload after sound problems with the first version.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Ravenna 34
• harp
• clarsach
• irish harp
• Andylowings
• Stamford Harp Festival

[gtuneit]

The fourth beats are not literally silent. The ring-on inherent in the wire strung harp, for which this was composed, would have filled that "silence". Even this nylon strung harp has enough sustain to be heard clearly on the pauses.

[MarkHarmer]

@gtuneit Good point. I think of them as instructions for the performer to pause - maybe more of a visual thing than an audible thing. Yes, on the wire-harp they would be ringing for ever!

[MaryGreenleaf]

Thank you for uploading this tune! I had the dots to it, but it did not make sens to me until I heard you play it. Now I always come back to this video and am amazed again at the beauty of the tune and your interpretation of it!

Thanks again and happy harping,

Mary

[MarkHarmer]

@MaryGreenleaf Mary, that's really kind of you. It did take me a while to get my head around what Carolan was trying to do with the tune - but of course, it's just my particular interpretation and the wonderful thing is that there are so many other possible ones. I believe it's that flexibility that has made Carolan's music last - everyone can have their own "take" on it. But thank you, all the same, for your kind comment!!

[harpways]

Your playing of the Ravenna harp utterly disproves the myth that only the most expensive harp will do. It's all about the connection between the harpist and the tune. Another winner, Mark!

[MarkHarmer]

@harpways Thank you so much! And yes - I think it's misleading to say that you have to have an expensive harp. Or rather, that an expensive harp will make you play better. The best you can say is that an expensive harp gives you the "possibility of better" but won't guarantee you'll play any differently - at least, not at the start. I have five harps, but the Ravenna is my absolute favourite of all of them, and other people say they love the sound of it.

[b0dhran]

So great to see you playing this piece that I listen to you playing ! Any chance you'll

publish this arrangement like Parry's Delight ? - Right at the end you do a very quick

lever flip -- is this like a Picardy Third or something ? -- Hank Hogan

[Brighteyes1ful]

One of my favourite tunes played well keep going Mark.

[nrojb123]

love the fly @1.27, made me lol

beautiful piece though, hoping for more uploads soon! :)

[Nanaharmonyharp]

This recording is so beautiful, I find it difficult to stop watching it. Thank you for posting this.

[Gealach74]

Its a wonderful Carolans tune.. thanks!

[lswise2451]

I recently looked at a Ravenna at a harp conference and was so impressed at the richness of tone of this little harp. It's the connection between the musician and the instrument that is most important. You coax a lovely sound out of your harp, Mark!