The Harp Flashcards
(38 cards)
What were the earliest harps developed from?
The hunting bow
How many Celtic harps survived from the medieval period?
Less than a dozen
What is the oldest harp in the world
The trinity college harp. The one on which the official national emblem of Ireland is based.
Where is it on display?
The long room of trinity college Dublin.
What are the harps distinguishing features?
It’s use of wire (usually brass) strings
It’s resonating chamber carved from a single log (traditionally willow)
The highly tensioned strings are played with fingernails producing a very clear sound
What type of strings do Irish harps use today?
Gut or synthetic string
What is the sound base made out of
It is usually fabricated from sawn pieces of wood glued together
What are planxties
Pieces of music written for a patron
Where an when was turlough o Carolan born?
1670 in county Meath
Who recognised his gift for music
His fathers employer, Ms McDermott Roe. He was then given harp lessons as a result
What did she give him?
Money, a guide and a horse
What is he more well known for?
He is more well known for composing than playing.
Who was his first patron
George Reynolds of County Leitim, the man who suggested he first compose music
When did he usually compose tunes and who for?
He usually composed tunes on his journeys for many patrons
Who was he influenced by
An Italian composer
Why did he travel
He traveled widely throughout Ireland because of his music even though he was blind
When did he return home and why
In 1738 he returned to the home of Mrs MacDermottRoe as he was feeling unwell
Who was his final composition to
To the butler Flinn, who brought him his last drink
How long did his wake last
4 days
Where and when was Dennis Hempson born
He was born in Co. Derry in 1965
How did he learn harp
He learned to play harp as a boy
Where did he travel as a boy
He travelled around Ireland and Scotland
What style did he play in?
Unlike other harpists at the time, Hempson played in an old traditional style with long fingernails
Which one of his songs was notated at the Belfast harp festival and by whom?
One of his tunes, ‘the coolin’ was notated by Bunting at the Belfast Haro Festival
