Carolan tunes arranged for harp and one or two melody instruments. Full and interesting harp accompaniments that support the melody instruments, making these great for performing. This unique collection is arranged in period style with the harmonies, ornaments and variations as they might have been played in Dublin taverns and Irish country houses around 1800. The original 1796 version of Carolan’s Concerto is included in both solo harp versions as well as concerto form. The range of pieces include ancient modal harp airs (Bridget Cruise, First Air) to the elegant High Baroque (Mrs. Judge) to lively planxties as jigs and hornpipes (Planxty George Brabazons). The arrangements can be heard on Ensemble Musica Humana’s CD: Turlough O’Carolan- A Life in Song, performed on flute, whistle, recorder, uilleann pipes and harp. Flute and recorder parts are by EMH performers Lidia Chang and Laura Osterlund.
Harp & Flute, Recorder or Whistle:
Carolan’s Concerto
Planxty Burke
Dr. John Stafford (Carolan’s Receipt)
Planxty O’Rourke
Bridget Cruise, First Air
Sheebeg and Sheemore
Mrs. Judge
Eleanor Plunkett
Bridget Cruise, Third Air
Fanny Power
Flute & Whistle Duo
George Brabazon First & Second Airs
Harp Solos
Hewlett (‘Hulets Health’ from Bunting, 1809)
Carolan’s Concerto (from Bunting, 1796)
