Sioned Williams - Concert in Cardiff on 29 June 2014

United Kingdom Harp Association 

50th Anniversary Concert in Cardiff 

SIONED WILLIAMS 

A Welsh harpist’s spiral of English delights 

Sioned Williams – eminent international soloist and Principal Harpist of the BBC Symphony Orchestra for over 24 years – a Welsh­‐speaker originally from Mold, Flintshire, makes a welcome return to Wales. The United Kingdom Harp Association is proud to showcase their President in a 50th Anniversary Celebration at 1pm on Sunday 29th June 2014 in the Victor Salvi Room at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 

‘Williams’s performance was a breathtaking and beautiful display of musicianship and research . . .’ Ashleywood Festival, 2013 

Sioned’s recital for solo harp comprises an amazing array of music by English composers spiralling the centuries. Sioned, who is renowned for her charismatic presentations, will introduce the programme from the platform and will include information and anecdotes about each work. The concert will be followed by an informal discussion on ‘Creative Programming for Solo Harp’. Challenge your perceptions, expand your knowledge and see how exciting a harpist’s world can be! 

As we in Wales celebrate our National instrument, this year marks the 50th Anniversary of the United Kingdom Harp Association, a unique organization run by volunteers, which brings together all those interested in the harp in all its forms, including amateur and professional players, children and adult beginners, teachers, and businesses providing services for the harp. 

Tickets for this concert are £9.50 (concessions £7.50) and can be booked on line

via: www.wegottickets.com/UKHA. 

For more information, please email Cardiff-based harpist and UKHA committee member 

Shelley Fairplay at: info@harpwales.com.

CD RELEASE: Fantasien by Sivan Magen

Fantasien by Sivan Magen
SACD Album released 10th February 2014

Recorded at the famous Yehudi Menuhin School in Surrey "Fantasien" is a showcase of the modern concert harp demonstrating the powerful expression, dynamic range and sheer excitement this popular instrument can generate in the right hands. Featuring transcriptions of works by J.S. Bach, C.P.E. Bach, Mozart and Brahms plus original harp compositions by Henriette Rénie and Ekaterina Walter-Kühne, ‘Fantasien’ is united by the theme of fantasy.

Audio clips & more info at Creighton's Collection


‘Magen had a formidable technique, a lovely sense of color, and masterful musicianship.’ 
Boston Music Intelligencer

Track listing:

1. Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach: Fantasie in E-flat Major, H. 277, Wq. 58/6

2. Johannes Brahms: 7 Fantasien, Op. 116 - No. 2 Intermezzo in A minor

3. Johannes Brahms: 7 Fantasien, Op. 116 - No. 4 Intermezzo in E Major

4. Johannes Brahms: 3 Intermezzi, Op. 117 - No. 1 in E flat Major

5. Johannes Brahms: 3 Intermezzi, Op. 117 - No. 2 in B flat minor

6. Ekaterina Walter-Kühne: Fantasie on Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin

7. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Fantasie in D minor, K. 397

8. Johann Sebastian Bach: Chromatische Fantasie in D minor, BWV. 903

9. Henriette Renié: Ballade fantastique d'après Le Coeur révélateur d'Edgar Poe 

New Harp Publication: Origami by Athy

Origami
For Electric Lever Harp in Eb, Pedal Harp or Piano
by Athy

"Dedicated to the victims of the terrible tsunami that hit Japan in 2011, this piece represents first, the Japanese woman, secondly, the Japanese man, and thirdly, it's beloved people's resurrection, represented by their symbol of hope the crane...made in origami. This final, heavily rhythmic part invites us to both remember each life lost in this catastrophic event, and turn from that pain and toward the power of the art and music." Athy 

View more info at www.creightonscollection.co.uk 

New Harp Publication: Entwined Hearts by Athy

Du'n Geimhin - Entwined Hearts
for Lever Harp, Pedal Harp or Piano
by Athy

Entwined Hearts - Starting as a free air, with some melody "guidelines" the music develops into two rhythmical dances. The first dance was written after performing in Ireland and the second, inspired by Celtic traditions was written for the Celtica 2011 festival in Italy.

View more info at www.creightonscollection.co.uk 

New Score: Spirit of Harp - Monika Stadler

New harp sheet music in stock: 
Spirit of Harp by Monika Stadler

"Spirit of Harp" offers a wide variety of types of music in my characteristic style. The inspiration for this new book derives from different moods, nature, meditation, jazz and dance rhythms.

Contents:

1. The Dragonfly
2. Song of the Welsh Hills 
3. Take a Break
4. Thankful 
5. Avenue Classique
6. I look at the Candle
7. Dear to my Heart
8. Everything will be Alright
9. Bohemian Waltz
10. Tibetan Prayer Wheel
11. Tango del Passado
12. Spirit of Air

View Spirit of Harp on our web site




All the tunes in this book have been recorded by Monika Stadler and are available as free downloads

During my many years teaching at international harp festivals and workshops I was very frequently asked if my music books were also suitable for the single action harp. As I was not always able to answer this in the affirmative, but being increasingly aware how many single action harp players live in German-speaking countries, I have tried to accommodate them in this present volume.

I was extremely delighted to play these compositions both on the concert and single action harps, to switch between them and to experience the difference in sound and playing technique. Maybe you, too, want to try this — in case you are fortunate enough to own both harps.

"Spirit of Harp" offers a wide variety of types of music with the unmistakable style of Monika Stadler.

The playing technique is ever evolving, and the music for the harp enriched beyond clichées. The inspiration derives from different moods, nature, meditation, Impressionism, Jazz and Tango.

You can play these compositions on a single action harp or a concert harp.

Monika

CD RELEASE: Harponium by Catriona McKay

This collection of Catriona's newly composed music highlights her prowess as both harper and composer. Melody driven with Catriona's signature harmonic and rhythm harp style, HARPONIUM combines both the strength and delicacy of her harp with bold, warm, characterful harmonium.

Buy this album now   
£11.00 + p&p 





Track listing

1. Kronos Reel 
2. One for the Sleeper 
3. Roof of the World 
4. Harponium 
5. Silenced with a Kiss 
6. Maureen's Waltz 
7. Harp Royalty meets Banjo Czar 
8. Prayer for Ceren 
9. Irish Harp Hero

Also recently added to our site: 

The Auld Harp by Olov Johansson & Catriona McKay

“…utterly reshapes our perception of the instruments’ potential…A radiant excursion into uncharted terrain.” Irish Times **** 

“a beguiling combination of timbres” The Scotsman **** 

“Harps create sounds that wind around each other, sometimes gently, sometimes ferocious…harp plus harp creates awesome new folk.” LiRA Music Magazine

Buy this album now   £11.00 + p&p

CD RELEASE: Christmas Lights - Máire Ní Chathasaigh (harp) & Chris Newman (guitar)

Christmas Lights - Máire Ní Chathasaigh (harp) & Chris Newman (guitar)
Released 2 December 2013

In December 2012 we were wondering what to do about Christmas cards as the cost of postage in the UK had recently increased by an enormous amount. We had the bright idea of sending a musical Christmas greeting, instead of a physical card, to everyone on our database so spent the evening of December 13th in the studio recording an extremely light-hearted version of Ding Dong Merrily on High. The following day we emailed a hyperlink to everyone we knew, and by December 26th, when we removed the track from the website, it had been downloaded over 6000 times. We received lots of comments along the lines of "When's the rest of the album coming out?" Well, this is it, and we hope you enjoy it!

Buy this album now    CD: £12.50 + p&p  

Track Listing

1) The Holly and the Ivy 3:09
2) Three Ships from Sussex 3:14
3) God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen 3:01
4) Campana Sobre Campana (Bells upon Bells) 3:25
5) O Come all ye Faithful 2:32
6) Past Three O’Clock 2:33
7) O Little Town of Bethlehem 3:28
8) The Coventry Carol 3:39
9) Away in a Manger 3:38
10) Il est né le Divin Enfant 3:07
11) We Three Kings 3:25
12) Once in Royal David’s City 2:32
13) Do'n Oíche Úd i mBeithil (To That Night in Bethlehem) 2:50
14) The First Tree in the Greenwood 3:08
15) Infant Holy, Infant Lowly 3:20
16) Ding Dong Merrily on High 3:35