Carol Thompson - The Enchanted Isles. Harp Music of Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales

Of all the music associated with Ireland, the airy and sophisticated sound of the harp most evokes the spirit of that place. The power and beauty of traditional Irish music lies “in the tune itself”, and the pure melody is brought to life through the skill and soul of the performer…
In ancient Ireland, music was a major part of life. The harp played by the old Gaelic harpers was an aristocratic instrument, and professional harpers were honored above all other musicians. At one time, the harper ranked at the top of the bó-aire class of landless nobility. They trained extensively in harp schools, similar to the bardic schools, before they played before the chiefs of clans and in the courts of kings. Because their music was part of an unwritten oral tradition, eventually most of their music was forgotten…
These are not all Irish tunes, but the pieces from England, Wales, and Scotland are rich in Gaelic flavor and were all composed on Irish themes. This is heavenly music played by capable hands that will change your outlook on the world on any given day. Surprising it would be if any hearing this didn’t search out more of Carol Thompson’s harp music, which speaks to the Irish in all of us. The fidelity of the recording is worthy of additional comment. Utilizing the fabled acoustics of the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, the engineer’s intent was to give the illusion of each note hovering in a vast space before dying away into complete stillness, all to evoke an image of Carolan composing these tunes at a roadside under the open skies. – Barbara Flaska

IRELAND
01 - Women of Ireland (O'Reada) [1:44]
02 - Brian Boru's March - NC [2:27]
03 - Father Brian Mac Dermot Roa (Turlough O'Carolan) [2:55]
04 - Lord Inchiquin (Turlough O'Carolan) [2:05]
05 - Miss Hamilton (Cornelius Lyons) [2:30]
06 - Lord Mayo (David Murphy) [2:59]
07 - Planxty Murphy (Turlough O'Carolan) [1:28]
08 - Irish Lullaby [4:16]
09 - Hugh O'Donnell (Turlough O'Carolan) [2:56]
SCOTLAND
10 - Jenny (Thomas d'Urfey) [2:12]
11 - Joy to the Person of My Love [3:05]
12 - Over the Hills and Far Away (Thomas d'Urfey) [2:54]
ENGLAND
13 - The Irish Lady, or Anniseed-water Robin; Parsons Farewell; Nonesuch [4:00]
WALES
14 - The Royal Dream (arr. Samuel Milligan) [1:30]
15 - Winter has Come (arr. Samuel Milligan) [1:57]
16 - Maid from the Parish of Penderyn [3:00]
17 - All Through the Night [3:31]
18 - The Ash Grove (arr. Samuel Milligan) [3:10]
19 - David of the White Rock [4:54]

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CAROL THOMPSON

Neo-Celtic Harp: #1-13 (Ireland, Scotland, England)
Triple Harp: #14-16, 18 (Wales)
Pedal Harp: #17, #19 (Wales)