After their defeat by the Danann in the Second Battle of Moytura, some of the Fomori stole Uaithne and made off with it. They believed Uaithne was so powerful that its music could put the seasons in order, and even command the order of battle. The Dagda gave chase, and came upon them in their feasting hall. No-one had been able to play the #harp, for the Dagda had cast a #spell so that it answered only to him.#Celtic
Source: Ali Isaac | Substack https://twitter.com/MitologiaCelta/status/1505133602278887428
#Celtic#MythologyMonday: To escape safely from the hall of the Fomori, the Dagda strummed his fingers across the strings of his #harp Uaithne, and began to play the ‘Three Noble Strains of #Ireland’.
First, he played the strain of weeping/melancholy, known as the Goltrai, and everyone who heard it was moved to tears; then he played the strain of joy/merriment, the Geantrai, and everyone who heard it fell about in fits of great mirth. Finally, he played the soft and soothing Suantrai, and everyone who heard it fell deeply asleep. Then he was able to make his escape with his beloved harp back in his possession.
It is interesting to note that the word ending trai actually means ‘enchanter’.“
Source: https://substack.com/@aliisaac
This Sunday, Selene (Ambaran) and I will play Japanese sea musics on flutes & harps in the manga studio of "Keep In Mind" by Kim Houtzager in Nieuwegein.
Supported by @japanfans & the Japans Cultureel Centrum Utrecht, with artwork by Selene, by Kim and by BudoGirl. 😉
Looking through my New Music Friday calendar for this year. Already lots I'm highly anticipating with new releases, or debuts, confirmed from:
Adrianne Lenker
Alev [Lenz] & Jas
Basia Bartz
Bob Vylan
Chelsea Wolfe
Gossip
Gruff Rhys
Hurray For The Riff Raff
Jenny Hval`
Katherine Priddy
Laetitia Sadier
Lauran Hibberd
Marika Hackman
Nadine Shah
Sarah Jarosz
Sheryl Crow
The Last Dinner Party
The Staves
Torres
Yard Act
Question for any #harpist out there: how do you interpret slurs in a #harp part?
For example, if you see a melody or arpeggio spanning a few octaves in a bar or two, and it's obviously one single gesture, do you play it differently if it's under a slur than if it isn't? Which do you prefer to see?
I've noticed I'm not at all consistent about this in my scoring, which makes it look like I want different things when that's not necessarily so.
This is rather nice. Some lovely, richly emotional, evocative harp and violin folk. New album by Catrin Finch and Aoife Ní Bhriain, Double You. Definitely recommended.
at the stone in #nyc, caught the end of a 4-eve residency by the great guitarist/composer fred frith, the link between syd barrett & john zorn. tonight in duo with zeena parkins on full concert #harp, playing 20+ tightly-composed & mostly-consonant miniatures written for an opera, gorgeous dense stuff. then 3 brief-ish improvs with a range of textiles/materials applied to #guitar & harp strings
I have taken up the Gravikord as my latest instrument. It's a 24 string electric harp, inspired by the West African Kora. It was invented by Bob Grawi.
I saw the instrument hanging in The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY in June with my Godson Vincent, who said "It's the most N to The Power instrument I've ever seen." Next thing I knew I was contacting Bob Grawi & arranging for him to build one for me.