With lockdown continuing, I’m inspired by what’s taken wing online, especially the Edinburgh Harp Festival, now gone virtual! Here’s Forest Hall’s version of a harp celebration. For the first time, this show features harpers in every piece of music. Enjoy the elegance and vitality of traditional styles as well as flights of vigorous and imaginative contemporary expression. Harpers featured are Màiri Macleod, Cheyenne Brown, Rachel Hair, Moya Brennan and Cormac de Barra, Anne-Marie O’Farrell , Séamus Ó Flatharta in HighTime Irish band, Gwenan Gibbard Siân James , Elinor Bennett and Meinir Heulyn, Robin Huw Bowen, Patrick Ball, Verlene Schermer, Sharlene Wallace and Kim Robertson.
The second hour of the show is an encore airing of FHC’s very first show! Episode 1 offers the playful natural magic and beauty of springtime, a ninth century Irish poem, and Jane Valencia’s retelling of the Irish myth, “Airmid’s Herbal Cloak.” Hear harp in the music of Ann Heymann, Mary Macmaster and Patsy Seddon (in Clan Alba), and Shelley Phillips (in Orison). Find playlist for Show 1 is here.
Listen to Show 47 and Show 1 until April 19.
Playlist for Show 47:
01:31 Màiri Macleod – Crossing the Minch/Tail Toddle
06:16 Cheyenne Brown – Cold Frosty Morning
13:43 Rachel Hair Trio – The Duke of Fife’s Welcome to Deeside
17:45 Moya Brennan and Cormac de Barra – Taim Breoite go Leor
23:19 Anne-Marie O’Farrell – Caitlín Ní Haodha & The Sport of the Chase
25:38 HighTime – The Village of Cloch Bhuí
33:23 Gwenan Gibbard – Nei Di Ganu ‘Nghan?
37:52 Siân James – Mae Nghariad I’n Fenws
41:31 Elinor Bennett and Meinir Heulyn – Cader Idris
43:01 Robin Huw Bowen – Jig Y Doethion
47:07 Patrick Ball – Lady Dillon – Turlough O’ Carolan
50:51 Verlene Schermer – A Jig in Your Pocket
53:50 Sharlene Wallace and Kim Robertson – Last Night’s Joy / Moving Cloud
