Celtic Harpestry: A Contemporary Celtic Collection

Amazon.com
The pristine tones and lilting melodies of the Celtic harp are immediately inviting. Celtic Harpestry, a companion to a PBS performance special, explores a sound both traditional and modern in a tasteful and evocative collection. This isn't a purist's album--half of the harpists aren't even from the Celtic isles, and among the album's old Irish chestnuts is "My Heart Will Go On," the love theme from Titanic. The otherwise-joyful Belfast Harp Orchestra tromp through the James Horner tune, almost pulling some subtlety out of its overwrought themes. Turlough O'Carolan, the blind patron saint of the Celtic harp, might wish he were deaf as well, if he could hear it. But the bard would be thrilled to hear the 12-piece BHO playing the traditional "Brian Boru's Set" or one of founder Janet Harbison's zephyrlike originals. Her "Earth, Water, Wind and Fire" elicits shifting textures and colors that belie their traditional roots. The song also exemplifies the ethereal side of the Celtic harp explored on Celtic Harpestry with artists like Rüdiger Oppermann. Playing a wire-strung harp accompanied by bass and keyboards, the German harpist soars through crystalline melodies whether he's playing traditional tunes or originals. The most traditional sound actually comes from the American players. Cheryl Ann Fulton gives a straight-up rendition of "Breton Medley," and jazz harpist Deborah Henson-Conant is refreshingly restrained, faithfully rendering "Londonderry Aire (Danny Boy)" and "The Minstrel Boy." Although Celtic Harpestry focuses on slow airs, there are robust performances here, including those by Máire Ni Chathasaigh's group and the harp and vocal duo of Sileas. Outside of the Titanic love theme, Celtic Harpestry is an elegantly wrought collection. --John Diliberto

Celtic Harpestry: A Contemporary Celtic Collection,Various Artists,Polygram Records,Celtic/Irish,Choral,Contemporary Celtic,Crossover Jazz,Int'l & World Music,Ireland,Irish Folk,Neo-Classical,Pop,Post-Bop,Scottish Folk,Traditional Celtic,World Music

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Average customer rating: Celtic Meets Classical Excellent Celtic Cd Just lovely! Amazing The best harpestry CD!

Celtic Harpestry: A Contemporary Celtic Collection Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Irish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Scottish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Ireland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Scotland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Compilations | New Age | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Harpestry: A Contemporary Collection Faces Of The Harp: Celtic & Contemporary The Celtic Harp: A Tribute to Edward Bunting with the Belfast Harp Orchestra The Mystic Harp The Water Is Wide ASIN: B00000DLV8 Release Date: 1998-11-03

Tracks:

1. Bright New Morning - Belfast Harp Orchestra
2. The Humours Of Ballyloughlin - Maire Ni Chathasaigh
3. The Golden String Hornpipe - Rudiger Oppermann
4. A Walk On Belfast - Belfast Harp Orchestra
5. Star Of The County Down - Deborah Henson-Conant
6. The Old Woman's Dance - Sileas
7. My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme From Titanic) - Belfast Harp Orchestra
8. The Chestnut Tree Medley - Maire Ni Chathasaigh
9. The Butterfly - Rudiger Oppermann
10. Londonderry Aire (Danny Boy) - Deborah Henson-Conant
11. Seallaibh Curaidh Eoghain - Sileas
12. Breton Medley - Cheryl Ann Fulton
13. Brian Boru's Set - Belfast Harp Orchestra
14. Robert Jordan - Maire Ni Chathasaigh
15. The Minstrel Boy - Deborah Henson-Conant
16. May Song - Rudiger Oppermann
17. Earth, Water, Wind And Fire - Belfast Harp Orchestra

Amazon.com

The pristine tones and lilting melodies of the Celtic harp are immediately inviting. Celtic Harpestry, a companion to a PBS performance special, explores a sound both traditional and modern in a tasteful and evocative collection. This isn't a purist's album--half of the harpists aren't even from the Celtic isles, and among the album's old Irish chestnuts is "My Heart Will Go On," the love theme from Titanic. The otherwise-joyful Belfast Harp Orchestra tromp through the James Horner tune, almost pulling some subtlety out of its overwrought themes. Turlough O'Carolan, the blind patron saint of the Celtic harp, might wish he were deaf as well, if he could hear it. But the bard would be thrilled to hear the 12-piece BHO playing the traditional "Brian Boru's Set" or one of founder Janet Harbison's zephyrlike originals. Her "Earth, Water, Wind and Fire" elicits shifting textures and colors that belie their traditional roots. The song also exemplifies the ethereal side of the Celtic harp explored on Celtic Harpestry with artists like Rüdiger Oppermann. Playing a wire-strung harp accompanied by bass and keyboards, the German harpist soars through crystalline melodies whether he's playing traditional tunes or originals. The most traditional sound actually comes from the American players. Cheryl Ann Fulton gives a straight-up rendition of "Breton Medley," and jazz harpist Deborah Henson-Conant is refreshingly restrained, faithfully rendering "Londonderry Aire (Danny Boy)" and "The Minstrel Boy." Although Celtic Harpestry focuses on slow airs, there are robust performances here, including those by Máire Ni Chathasaigh's group and the harp and vocal duo of Sileas. Outside of the Titanic love theme, Celtic Harpestry is an elegantly wrought collection. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews:

Celtic Meets Classical.......2007-07-12

Hard rock it ain't. Celtic Harpestry: A Contemporary Celtic Collection may cite "contemporary" in its title, but the style is classic. Rich harmonies and intricate musical textures rise to a crescendo in "Earth, Water, Wind And Fire," the final cut, performed by the Belfast Harp Orchestra.

This collection overlaps several genres. Celtic, classical and New Age meet in what may be the instrument most associated with classical melodies.

If you are a fan of Rap or Hip Hop, keep looking. If you want a hoedown, this is not going to be your cuppa joe. But if you are looking for something elegant - background music for a business or important meeting, for example - this is a wonderful, understated choice.

Excellent Celtic Cd.......2006-12-30

A sibling to "Harpestry," this is a wonderful cd. I am a harper and head up a Celtic Harp Choir at my church (I'm a fulltime church music director), and I have used this cd as a model for my musicians. It's very pleasant to listen to, and you definitely get a good feel for the Celtic style. I highly recommend this!

Just lovely!.......2003-05-25

This uplifting compilation CD from Imaginary Road Records, actually the soundtrack to the public television special "Celtic Harpestry at Lismore Castle, Ireland", is simply beautiful. Especially wonderful are the five numbers by the Belfast Harp Orchestra, an ensemble of 12 harpists who demonstrate remarkable intonation and stunning coordination as they play together on instruments that are difficult enough just to play alone. What a great concept, and what great musicianship! Also featured are individual performers such as Maire Ni Chathasaigh on Irish harp, Rudiger Oppermann on wire-strung harp, Cheryl Ann Fulton on a contemporary lever harp, the harp and song duo Sileas, and Deborah Henson-Conant on a "Camac `Baby Blue' Celtic electroharp". Other instruments, including Uilleann pipes and whistle, violin, viola and concertina, occasionally join in, but the focus is on the harp itself. In all its many forms and combinations, the harpestry on this recording remains soothingly delicate in timbre while at the same time scintillating in technique--in short, a pure delight. If you enjoy "Celtic Harpesty", you're sure to like it's companion release, "Harpestry: A Contemporary Collection", featuring more of a worldwide assortment of harpers. Another great harp compilation CD is "Faces of the Harp" from Narada.

Amazing.......2001-08-30

I always had a desire to learn to play the Celtic harp...and the PBS special and especially this CD made that desire boil over. Don't buy another harp CD before you've listened to this one!
No matter how many times I have listened to this recording, I ALWAYS break into a smile when the Belfast Harp Orchestra begins to play. Nothing prepares you for that 12-harp sound!
Order this CD with overnight shipping!!!

The best harpestry CD!.......2001-07-23

One day in a music shop, my hand knocked three CDs off of a rack. The first CD, though the case was cracked, caught my eye. I bought it five minutes later. In this sweetly harmonized collection, nearly all the songs are wonderful. I would have bought the CD for only My Heart Will Go On-the song is a skillful take of the Titanic (movie) theme, and it seems almost to have a voice of its own. This is a must-have for any harp music lover!

Average customer rating: Stunning - Never gets old The Best Harp Collection EVER The very best in contemporary harp. Outstanding Collection of Harp Music!! Terrific music!

Harpestry: A Contemporary Collection Various Artists Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Irish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music New Age | Celtic | International | Styles | Music Fusion | Celtic | International | Styles | Music Celtic New Age | New Age | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music General | Compilations | New Age | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Celtic Harpestry: A Contemporary Celtic Collection Faces Of The Harp: Celtic & Contemporary The Celtic Harp: A Tribute to Edward Bunting with the Belfast Harp Orchestra The Mystic Harp The Water Is Wide ASIN: B000005BRE Release Date: 1997-08-05

Tracks:

1. Jardin Des Roses - Rudiger Opperman
2. Hornpipe In e - Maureen Brennan
3. PLanxty Cruit - Ann Heymann
4. The Nightingale - Deborah Henson-Conant
5. Sides of One - Michelle Sell
6. Love's Comfort - Janet Harbison
7. Toccata From Sarabanda e Toccata - Cynthia Mowery
8. Caballo Viejo - Luis Felipe Gonzales
9. Year's End - Geist
10. Ancient Memories - Derek Bell
11. Marin Wynne's - Patrick Ball
12. Leap! - Andrea Piazza
13. Wanja The Wanderer - Andreas Vollenwider

Customer Reviews:

Stunning - Never gets old.......2007-06-19

I have to admit there aren't many cds that I can listen to over and over through the years from first song on the album the very last, but this is one of them. I borrowed the cd from the public library years ago and I wasn't in love immediately. I couldn't tell if there was an elevatorish sound to it or not.

After a week or two I realized how wrong I was, its just not beautiful Celtic sounding harp music, but its soft and soothing, with the gentlest rhythms and melodies you could ever dream of hearing. It has just the right balance of weaving complexity with simple elegance. I love that I didnt recognize any of the songs, no "Old Danny Boy" renditions, nothing corny sounding or pop-ish. Its not a single harp its more than one and a drum of some sort, that sounds soft and bongo like. I think I've heard cello or strings in some of the songs too. A must have for me, and my guess is for any lover of music regardless of genre. Unspeakably beautiful.

The Best Harp Collection EVER.......2006-12-30

It was by dumb luck that I picked this particular cd up several years back, and I now use it as my staple. Being a harper, I appreciate the beauty and technique of the music and musicians, but most of all, it is one of the best harp collections I've found to date. What's nice is that the musicians featured here are known names in the harp world - not some unknowns who might have whacked out tempos and interpretations. If there was a rating of more than 5 stars, then I would give it that! Seriously, you won't regret this purchase.

The very best in contemporary harp........2006-03-20

I have been looking for any harp collection to rival this and haven't found it yet. It's full of great original compositions, including my favourite of all harp pieces, The Nightingale by Deborah Henson-Conant. A must-have if you love harp music.

Outstanding Collection of Harp Music!!.......2005-10-06

I heard one song from this cd on the radio and had to buy it! The music is simply fabulous! I highly recommend this collection to anyone who enjoys harp music or just enjoys listening to relaxing, uplifting music in general.

Terrific music!.......2003-05-25

Subtitled "A Contemporary Collection", this compilation CD from Imaginary Road Records is scintillating, varied, and intriguing--a celebration of harpists and harp-playing styles from around the world. The contributors are Rudiger Oppermann, Maureen Brennan, Ann Heymann, Deborah Henson-Conant, Michelle Sell, Janet Harbison, Cynthia Mowery, Luis Felipe Gonzalez, Geist, Derek Bell, Patrick Ball, Andrea Piazza, and Andreas Vollenweider. The types of harps they play (Celtic, Gothic, traditional Tyrolean, Venezuelan, nylon strung, wire strung, Classical pedal and concert harps, and electric harps) are as varied as their musical styles, which include traditional, classical and jazz. I became aware of this recording, and it's companion album "Celtic Harpestry" by reading a review for yet another harp album, "Faces of the Harp" (from Narada). All three CDS are wonderful, as well as quite complimentary, and I'm delighted to have come across them. If you like harp music, you're sure to enjoy them too!

Meditation Music:

1. Common Ground
2. Cycles, Vol. 2
3. Dancing with My Soul
4. Dawn Dance
5. Destination
6. Drumming En La Botanica [Import]
7. Electric: The Very Best Early Electronic, New Wave & Synth [Import]
8. Elysian Fields
9. Fluxology
10. Further Than You Know

Meditation Music

meditation music

Meditation Music

Rhythm Bandits [CD-single] [Import]

Three Viennese Guitar Sonatas

The Prime Meridian

Music: Bach: Music from Ravinia

The Usual Suspects [Original recording remastered] [Soundtrack]

Veteran Rookie [Explicit Lyrics]

Vance Arnold and the Avenge 1963 [Live] [Import]

Tracey in My Room [CD-single] [Import]

Two Slices of Sausage [Import]

The Budapest Quartet Collection "Book 2" (1932-1935)

This Isn't It [CD-single]

Voiceland

Wake Your Daughter Up

Pretty Things

The Veil