With the release of her new CD, Cruit go nÓr (Harp of Gold), Gaelic harp pioneer Ann Heymann has placed her clairseach (wire-strung harp) squarely within its original context: the music of its golden age, where its nobility shines as brightly as its gold strings. Yes, her harp is literally strung with strings made of 18 carat gold!
The sonorous tone of Ann’s harp is enhanced by lute, viola de gamba, vielle, flute, percussion, and Gaelic vocals on some of the tracks.
The selections represent a millennium of musical traditions within which the Gaelic harp flourished. The repertory ventures from the monastic cell to the Chieftain's Great Hall and the English Royal Court, while the sources range from Irish mythology to notated manuscripts and remnants of an early, largely unwritten tradition.
The unique packaging of this CD is as impressive as the music inside. Each CD jewel case encloses a golden cord that has been hand-tied by Ann, herself!
The replica instrument used for this recording was made by David Kortier in 1999. Its construction reflects traditional standards: a soundbox hollowed from a single willow log; mortise and tenon joints; and lethrind -- a pair of metal neck-bands through which the tuning pins pass. It is strung with brass in the treble, silver in the midrange and 18 carat gold in the bass. This was the first modern success stringing an instrument with monofilament high carat gold; it was preceded by a similar experiment with silver wire that yielded less striking results. Nevertheless, evidence suggests that these were historical practices and that, with the destruction of the Gaelic order, the clairseach was redesigned for a more economical all-brass stringing.
Click on an arrow below to hear a sample of that song.
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Includes:
Click here to see a short bio of Ann Heymann
