From the arranger:
“Welsh airs used in this publication were collected by Edward Jones (1751-1824), harper to King George IV. Jones was born in North Wales and moved to London (around 1775) where he enjoyed a nearly 50-year career as composer, arranger, performer, and teacher.
“Jones is best remembered for his three-volume work called Musical and Poetical Relicks of the Welsh Bards (1784-1802). I have adapted Jones’ arrangements and made suitable adjustments for lever harp.
“These airs (in their original keys) have been placed in progressive key order to create a satisfying ‘Welsh suite’ that facilitates lever and pedal changes. Lever changes are indicated between the staves and pedal changes beneath the bass staff. Guitar chords are included so that if the harpist does not like the transcribed accompaniment, they can use a chordal accompaniment instead.
“Two of the arrangements in my earlier solo version of The King’s Bard (#4 and #12) also appeared in my harp and flute publication, The Beloved Bard. Therefore, in order not to duplicate them here, I have substituted two other Welsh airs for those two arrangements and re-ordered the pieces slightly in this edition. That is why I have named it The King’s Bard Revisited.
“The minimum range needed to play all of the Welsh airs in this publication exactly as written is 27 strings (C-A); however, all but four airs can be played on a harp of only 26 strings (C-G).”
Included are a harp score and separate instrument part. ALL HARPS + FLUTE/VIOLIN, INTERMEDIATE.
Table of Contents
- Hob y Deri Danno (Away to the Oaken Grove)
- Cwynfan Brydain (The Lamentation of Britain)
- Ysgin Aur (The Golden Robe)
- Blodeu’r Vaenol (The Flower of the Manor)
- Triban Gwŷr Morganwg (War Song of the Men of Glamorgan)
- Ruban Morfydd (Morvydd’s Ribband)
- Pen Rhaw (The Spade’s Head)
- Serch Hudol (The Allurement of Love)
- Castell Tywyn (Towyn Castle)
- Toriad y Dydd (The Dawn of Day)
- Croeso’r Wenynen (Welcome the Bee)
- Gil y Fwyalch (The Blackbird’s Retreat)
- Mwynen Môn (The Melody of Mona)
- Malltraeth (A Sandy Shore)
- Mantell Siani (Jenny’s Mantle)
