Celtic Harpestry: A Contemporary Celtic Collection

Edition: Audio CD Price: $16.98

Genre:  Celtic/Irish  Int'l & World Music  Pop  Choral  Contemporary Celtic  Crossover Jazz  Ireland  Irish Folk  Neo-Classical  Post-Bop  Scottish Folk  Traditional Celtic  Film  Film Music  Folk Song  Miscellaneous  Miscellaneous Music  Vocal  World Music  Celtic Artists:  Anonymous  Janet Harbison  James Horner  Maire Ni Chathasaigh  Turlough O'Carolan  Rudiger Oppermann  Traditional  Breton Traditional  Irish Traditional  Chris Newman

Play all track samples  —  Stop 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

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Editorial review:

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

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

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!

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.