Harper's Land CD by Ann Heymann and Alison Kinnaird: Sampler Harp CDs

This fine recording illustrates the differences between the wire-strung harp and the gut-strung harp. Ann Heymann is a master of the wire-strung harp, and Alison Kinnaird is one of the leaders of the gut-strung Scottish harp tradition. Some of the selections are played solo, and some are duets.

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Ann Heymann
A master of the ancient, wire-strung Gaelic harp, Ann Heymann has been a pioneer of rediscovering and reinventing the ancient harp playing technique, including the fingernail and damping techniques essential to the wire-strung harp. Ann teaches these ancient techniques and has written the first modern textbook on the subject, she is also a legendary performer, and has created numerous recordings.

Alison Kinnaird
Master of both the Scottish harp and the wire-strung Scottish clarsach, Alison Kinnaird has been a force in Scottish music for decades. She has strong views on the harp and Scottish music, and dislikes the term "Celtic" because she finds it limiting and inaccurate. She is also adamant that she is a harper and not a harpist. Alison has researched the Scottish harp traditions extensively, and has arranged numerous books of harp music. Alison has performed and recorded extensively.
Alison has always had two careers running parallel, as a well-known Scottish musician, but also as an artist in glass, whose work is collected internationally. In 1997, the Queen awarded her an M.B.E. for services to art and music.