Harp History And Belfast Flashcards
When was the Belfast Harp Festival?
11-14th July 1792
Who was it organised by?
Dr James McDonnell, Robert Bradshaw, Henry Joy
What was the main point in having the belfast Harp festival
It was set up to receive interest in Harp Music
What collector was employed to notate the airs
Edward Bunting
Where did the Belfast Harp Festival take place
The Northern Bank Building on Waring Street in Belfast
How many harpists performed at the festival
10
How many players at the Belfast Harp Festival were blind
7/10
Who was the oldest player at the Belfast Harp Festival and how did he play?
Dennis Hempson, played blind aged 96. He used the traditional long crooked,fingernails to play the harp
Who won the first prize at the Belfast Harp Festival?
Charles Fanning- with “Th coulin, or Cúilfhionn”
Who won the second prize at the Belfast Harp Festival?
Arthur O’Neill who was blind- with “The green woods of Truagh”
What happened as a result of holding the Belfast Harp Festival
More people took up the harp and it’s style spread through the country
How many strings are on the modern Concert Harp
47 strings
Where does the harp originate from
From Egyptian times possibly, developed from the hunting bow
Where is the oldest celtic harp on display
Trinity College
What is the Celtic harp also known as
The Brian Boru harp
What are the differences between the traditional Irish Harps strings and the modern Irish harps
Traditional harps used wire, usually brass strings. The strings are highly tensioned and played with long fingernails
Newer Irish harps use gut or synthetic string
What are the differences between the traditional Irish Harps chamber and the modern Irish harps
Traditional chamber is carved from a single willow log usually
Newer chambers are not made out from one log. Uses lots of wood glued together which creates a different sound
