From the arranger:
“These tunes have been placed in progressive key order to create a satisfying ‘Breton suite’ that facilitates lever and pedal changes. This order also facilitates playing a few tunes in succession as a ‘Breton medley.’ All tunes were typeset to fit exactly on two facing pages to eliminate any page turns within a piece.
“These tunes were originally arranged for a harp and flute/violin combination. They have been rearranged here for solo harp. Note: For harpers who tune their open strings in the key of C, selections #1, #2, and #3 in the key of F (one flat) can be played in the key of F# (6 sharps). Omit the sharped 5th scale degree in #1 and play the notes unaltered.
“Breton tunes are often very modal in nature. Therefore, you may find some of the melodic contours or harmonies to be unfamiliar to your ear or unexpected. Only two tunes require a couple of lever or pedal changes within them; otherwise, there are only lever or pedal presets in preparation for the next tune.
“Guitar chords are included so that the melody may be played by any C instrument, accompanied by chords on harp, lute, guitar, or keyboard. Dynamics, fingering, and metronome markings are provided throughout as an aid to performance. However, the harper should use whatever dynamics, fingerings, and tempos suit them, no matter what this book indicates!
“The range of the harp required to play all tunes as notated is 29 strings (4 octaves) from low C to high C. However, if the 8va sections are disregarded and glissandos are shortened, everything can be played on just 27 strings from low C to high A.”
Table of Contents
1. Santez Mari, Mamm Doue (Saint Mary, Mother of God) 1
2. Doue Lan A Vadeleh (God Full of Goodness) 3
3. Les Filles Des Forges (The Daughters of the Forges) 5
4. Ma Fransez (My Françoise) 7
5. Me A Zavo Eun Dourell (I Would Have a Tower) 9
6. Gavotten Ar Serjant-Major (The Sergeant-Major Gavotte) 11
7. Kimiad Ann Ene (The Soul’s Departure) 13
8. Pach-Pi (Passepied) 15
9. Dañs Govel Yann (Midsummer Dance or St. John’s Dance) 17
10. Me A Gar Eur Goulmik (I Love a Turtle Dove) 19
11. Avant Deux (Forward Two) 21
12. Granno Mo Mio (Grannus My Friend) 23
13. Le Pas De Sept (The Seven Step) 25
14. An Alarch (The Swan) 27
15. Les Prísons De Nantes (The Prisons of Nantes) 29
